EU food import restrictions

[lustyd]

Currently still part of Uk so didn't take Passports.

Never a bad idea to carry one though, officials will tend to get more officious when you tell them you don't need documentation because you're already British. In theory the law is on your side, but the journey to proving that can be made rather arduous. The legal position in these situations has consistently got worse over the past couple of decades too what with new terror, border and policing laws stripping various previously held rights.

 

[SaltyC]

Never a bad idea to carry one though, officials will tend to get more officious when you tell them you don't need documentation because you're already British. In theory the law is on your side, but the journey to proving that can be made rather arduous. The legal position in these situations has consistently got worse over the past couple of decades too what with new terror, border and policing laws stripping various previously held rights.







[/QUOTE



Agreed, knowing misssion creep Within the public sector (as of last summer) I now have a passport - previously had NO photo ID. That caused issues in many instances.
For the last 16 years I have visited to IoM without a passport - I can now follow the rules.

 

[lustyd]

Agreed, knowing misssion creep Within the public sector (as of last summer) I now have a passport - previously had NO photo ID. That caused issues in many instances.
For the last 16 years I have visited to IoM without a passport - I can now follow the rules.

I must confess that I do push for my rights first usually. My local pool told me I needed an app to go swimming recently, I declined and contacted their data controller who kicked off a retraining programme rather than suffer GDPR fines. I also had Sonos change their privacy policy in a fairly public way a few years ago. Aspergers isn't fun to live with, but I do get the occasional win.

 

[Bobc]

Currently still part of Uk so didn't take Passports.

I was commenting on the original OP, about going to France.

 

[awol]

I was commenting on the original OP, about going to France.

Isn't Aquitaine still English?

 

[Lightwave395]

Even though the season has not really begun yet I was boarded by Douanes in Benodet a few weeks ago ( as were the 3 French boats also on the visitor pontoon) They were polite and friendly, simply asked where I'd come from and where was I going, where was my home port and did I have anything to declare. They enjoyed a cup of 'English breakfast tea' and we chatted about their patrol area (Ouessant to Yeu), the fact that it was Valentines day and my sailing plans.
Their 90 Metre patrol vessel overnighted in the Odet river and they pottered past me, hooted and waved early the following morning as I was hoisting the sails and making ready to leave. It was all very pleasant and I have my piece of yellow paper to wave at any subsequent boardings.
They actually passed me again two days later and waved as I came out of Lorient

I confess I do smile a little sometimes at other threads I've seen about how complicated it is as an English man and boat sailing in France - it isn't

 

[[3889]]

Currently still part of Uk so didn't take Passports.

Not even for your doggie Just as well there's no border in the Irish Sea.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

The requirement for checks is here to stay. The issue with NI is whether the full set of checks is necessary for goods intended for consumption in NI (such as the infamous sausages) hence the proposal for a "green channel" for such goods. If goods are intended for the single market (that includes the south) via NI then full paperwork is needed as if it were going direct from mainland UK to the single market.

I think you are right unlikely to be any problems for sailors, although you may remember in the early days they (French customs) were stopping lorry drivers bringing their own sandwiches, although this may have been a Daily Mail story!

There really isn't any demand for Wall's Sausages in the ROI.

 

[Tranona]

There really isn't any demand for Wall's Sausages in the ROI.

Quite - but there are many far better brands that were available in NI - and hopefully will return in the future.

 

[Daydream believer]

I confess I do smile a little sometimes at other threads I've seen about how complicated it is as an English man and boat sailing in France - it isn't

View attachment 152866 View attachment 152867

French customs can be an absolute pain. Not so much in their attitude ( although some do come the official bit) but in their persistent checks. I arrived in Boulogne & within 20 minutes 4 of them arrived just as I was about to sit down to a meal. They stayed for an hour & 5 minutes & searched every part of the boat, including my bedding. One lady sat next to me talking, whilst the boat was being searched by 3 others. She asked why I did not show any concern. I replied. "Well you are only doing your job" & she seemed taken aback by such a reply. I have no idea what she expected. I suspect that she was placed to get me talking about something. They then left, not visiting the other half dozen visitors.
On a 4 month cruise from Boulogne along the French coast, into Biscay & back, my wife & I recorded no fewer than FOURTEEN customs visits. It seemed that we got hassled almost once a week.
I rarely go to France without getting pestered by customs. Others often get ignored. As a result I make sure that I am squeeky clean. In spite of what other forumites claim I HAVE been asked for my ICC. Probably a customs officer trying to trip me up on something.

 

[Lightwave395]

French customs can be an absolute pain. Not so much in their attitude ( although some do come the official bit) but in their persistent checks. I arrived in Boulogne & within 20 minutes 4 of them arrived just as I was about to sit down to a meal. They stayed for an hour & 5 minutes & searched every part of the boat, including my bedding. One lady sat next to me talking, whilst the boat was being searched by 3 others. She asked why I did not show any concern. I replied. "Well you are only doing your job" & she seemed taken aback by such a reply. I have no idea what she expected. I suspect that she was placed to get me talking about something. They then left, not visiting the other half dozen visitors.
On a 4 month cruise from Boulogne along the French coast, into Biscay & back, my wife & I recorded no fewer than FOURTEEN customs visits. It seemed that we got hassled almost once a week.
I rarely go to France without getting pestered by customs. Others often get ignored. As a result I make sure that I am squeeky clean. In spite of what other forumites claim I HAVE been asked for my ICC. Probably a customs officer trying to trip me up on something.

One can only conclude there must be something about you.... more likely the interest in leisure yachts around the Boulogne / Calais / Dunkerque area is perhaps unsurprising, did they find the 8 Albanians in the stern locker ?

On my recent visit there were 3 French boats on the visitor pontoon, all visited but one, a classic tatty steel liveaboard that even had a chicken running around the foredeck had a considerably longer visit with 4 of the Douanes boarding it.

You should have been asked to sign their paperwork at the conclusion of the visit and been given a yellow form, valid for a year, which on any subsequent 'visit' you could show and the Douanes should move on ?

 

[awol]

Using Code "T" instead of a tricoleur might be the problem or offending nautical sensibilities by turning up in the style of boat that won't heave-to and needs an autopilot to get anywhere?

 

[Koeketiene]

On a 4 month cruise from Boulogne along the French coast, into Biscay & back, my wife & I recorded no fewer than FOURTEEN customs visits. It seemed that we got hassled almost once a week.

I find that very hard to believe.
Once you've been checked, your details go into their 'system' and it's very rare to be checked again that year.
After an inspection, you even get a chit stating you've been boarded and inspected and you can show it to any eager beavers looking to waste some time and they'll just leave you alone.
For most who keep their boats in France year round, it's an annual ritual.

 

[Daydream believer]

You should have been asked to sign their paperwork at the conclusion of the visit and been given a yellow form, valid for a year, which on any subsequent 'visit' you could show and the Douanes should move on ?

I do not immediately recall ever being asked to sign anything. Plus I do not recall having ever been given a yellow form.
How does it work if I come home? In 2018, I went to France 3 times in a month. Twice taking different crews from the sailing club on training trips & once on my own to head to the CIs & back. The third trip was the one with 4 customs officers aboard.

 

[Lightwave395]

I do not immediately recall ever being asked to sign anything. Plus I do not recall having ever been given a yellow form.
How does it work if I come home? In 2018, I went to France 3 times in a month. Twice taking different crews from the sailing club on training trips & once on my own to head to the CIs & back. The third trip was the one with 4 customs officers aboard.

After they've done whatever searches or investigations they choose they should fill in a report there and then (they carry a large pad of them) . Both you and they sign it and you should be given the bottom yellow copy which is valid for a year and which you can present to any Douanes that subsequently may board you (in my own experience they've actually asked if I have one). If you have one they may possibly look at it but then be on their way - at least that's how it works South of the channel.
There may well be different or more stringent rules up your end of the channel with all the inflatables drifting around I guess.