First time to France

[sonny]

In two weeks time I hope to take my boat to the channel islands then northern France.
What is the procedure on entering french ports? ie do I have to report to anyone?

and what is the procedure on returning to England?

 

[rogerroger]

The Channel Islands complicate things a bit as they're not part of the EU. Fly a Q flag from the starboard spreaders and make sure you fill out a customs form (people on board, goods carried etc). In Braye the HM will normally be alongside you before you've opened your first beer with the form which you then post in a box ashore.

If you then go to France you've got to keep the Q flag up as you've come from a non-EU country. As to what happens in France I've no idea - I've never been approached by officials in Cherbourg and have even gone looking for someone to show my passport to with no luck.

Just make sure you have your original insurance, registration and proof of VAT paid docs with you.

Enjoy - where in France are you heading ?

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[VMALLOWS]

Technically, as Rogger says, if you arrive in France from the CI you should fly the yellow and 'might' be approached. In practice the French officials would think you are daft if coming from CI.

Note however, that French officials are quite likely to board you anywhere, wherever you've come from. They are not interested in 'duty free' etc. but will be very interested in SSR document/passport, and if you're unlucky things like insurance (and ICC/CEVNI if in the canals). It seems the smaller the port, the more likely you are to be approached.

Note that when transitting from/to any EU country (eg France to UK) there are NO reporting (or flag) requirements in either direction as long as you are not carying anything restricted (eg guns/drugs/non- EU citizens etc). This however does not guarantee that you will not be intercepted by officials , either on route or when moored.

 

[Celena]

I've been to France and CI many times and have never been asked for or offered to show any documentation. However, you should have it with you just in case eg passports, insurance, SSR, VHF licences, E111 etc. Originals, not copies.
Have a good trip!

 

[sonny]

Re: Form E111

Do I have to have this form? or is it just better to have it?


PS.... Many thanks to all for the advice.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by sonny on 02/08/2002 13:38 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Boathook]

Channel Islands need forms filled in with passport numbers etc. They are very pleasant about it when handing them out and you post them in a box when you go ashore. The last time I flew a Q flag in a French port the officials were upset as it created paper work and would we take it down before the paperwork came our way.
Customs in the Uk should be told via forms that you are going to the CI and upon your return you ring them and post more forms to them. Last time I spoke to an answerphone and heard nothing.

Good luck with your first crossing.

 

[Luke]

What constitutes proof of VAT status in this context? Is it sufficient to have the original VAT invoice (which doesn't prevent the VAT from having been reclaimed if the boat is being chartered as a VAT registered business)

 

[cynthia]

Yes you do need an E111. Dead easy, just pick up a form at the local post office. Whilst you're unlikely to need it, it guarantees the recovery of any medical expenses incurred.

The French customs are highly likely to board you - simply keep a folder with SSR, insurance and most importantly evidence of VAT paid on the boat. Your passport is also likely to be examined. Overall they tend to be friendly and respond positively to the offer of a drink!

Enjoy the trip.

 

[VMALLOWS]

I agree it would be foolish not to have an E111 (I never carry any private medical insurance in the EU...am quite happy that their service is as good as our's!)........

However it is certainly not 'compulsory' or anything to do with the officials. The French will be very happy for you to pay privately!

 

[petery]

Proof of Vat on a 1979 boat

With a boat built in 1979 and sold privately several times since then, what kind of proof of VAT payment do I need?

I have just insured my boat over the web and my 'original' insurance document is a long e-mail - 'original' copies are not supplied! Does any one have experience of this kind of policy being acceptable to French officials.

 

[Gunfleet]

You've been unlucky. I've never been boarded by French Customs despite endless visits and a couple of years with the boat kept there. I had a chat in a marina once with Gendarmes Maritime. They were very friendly and only wanted a form completed, didn't want to see my documentation at all. Agree about the E111 by the way.

 

[charles_reed]

Take your SSR registration - non-production can result in an on-the-spot douanier fine of up to é1500.
Watch out - French boats' carte d'identité has a photo of the boat on it and some douaniers have been fining people with an ordinary SSR card with no photo. The only report I've had of this is from Gironde and as far as their colleagues farther round the coast, they're (Gironde douaniers) considered to be animaux difficiles.

Take your passport - not usually a problem with French immigration, but can be insuperable if you get a stubborn UK immigration official.

I'd take a photocopy of your insurance certificate - especially for the 3rd party cover which needs to be £3 million now - this sometimes required by port authorities or they'll pack you off on your way to somewhere else.

E111 is scarcely worth having for a short stay - if you're a real A&E you'll get treated in any case, if you want to see a medic, you'd have to pay them and then reclaim off French Securité Sociale (you'd get back 2/3rds).

In N France they're so inured to Brits that there are few, if any problems, except for menu du jour prices in restaurants going up by 35% at Paques.
Enjoy yourself - best part is S Brittany, from Raz de Sein to Pornichet, N Brittany too spiky and Manche coast boooring.

 

[Celena]

Re: Form E111

No, just useful if you need any medical treatment. See this month's ST, pp90-91.

 

[squidge]

Re: proof of vat

I think that boats built before 1984 are vat exempt But have no proof.if you find some let me know?