French exit

[Lightwave395]

Sooner or later (hopefully sooner) but very sadly, I will bring my boat back to the UK from Southern Brittany. I’m currently putting together a plan to do that (the sailing part is easy, the admin part less so) and wondered if anyone else is doing or has the same near term ?

I believe that Brest and Roscoff are both ‘ports of entry/exit’ so I am hoping to be able to get my passport stamped out somewhere at one or the other to stop the ‘visiting France’ clock.
I plan to go from either of these ports directly to Falmouth and my boat’s new home and am also wondering what happens when I arrive there in terms of immigration and Covid isolation. I'm obviously aware of UK and French Covid test requirements etc so I hope my question doesn't get hijacked...

I assume I'll be hoisting my yellow flag somewhere south of the Lizard, call the ‘National Yachtline’ and possibly Border Force and wait on my mooring when I get there, although there’s also an ambiguous note with Border force that you don’t need to call them if you have an existing right to ‘enter or remain’ in the UK
I’ve emailed Brest and Roscoff marinas to see if they can help with the exit stamp question

 

[Poignard]

I may do the same but I'm wondering whether you have to be "stamped out" of France when you have never (I assume) been "stamped in". As you wouldn't have done if your boat was already in France on 31st December 2020.

 

[Lightwave395]

I may do the same but I'm wondering whether you have to be "stamped out" of France when you have never (I assume) "stamped in".

I think you're right, you never know which side of bed the French immigration guys may have got out of so you may just sail through at Caen on the way out or you may get thoroughly turned over ! I assume (maybe wrongly) that you will get an actual old fashioned stamp in, the danger I guess is it's all electronic and you don't actually know if you're 'in' or not...

 

[dom]

I think you're right, you never know which side of bed the French immigration guys may have got out of so you may just sail through at Caen on the way out or you may get thoroughly turned over ! I assume (maybe wrongly) that you will get an actual old fashioned stamp in, the danger I guess is it's all electronic and you don't actually know if you're 'in' or not...

Do remember that France is currently a UK "red list" candidate and its case rate is going the wrong way. Even Germany is thinking of introducing restrictions.

Which would risk one of those expensive and wretched quarantine stays.

 

[Moonbeam]

Covid restrictions is one of the reasons the RYA have used to get an extension from HMRC of the 'Returned Goods Relief' transition period which now extends until 30th June 2022 according to their news page from yesterday. RYA and British Marine welcome extension to Returned Goods Relief grace period

 

[Sandy]

Also worth checking HMRC Notice 8 about bringing a boat back to the UK.

Saying that getting any information out of HMRC about what documents they require is like getting blood out of a stone.

 

[Adios]

Do remember that France is currently a UK "red list" candidate and its case rate is going the wrong way. Even Germany is thinking of introducing restrictions.

Which would risk one of those expensive and wretched quarantine stays.

Anchoring in a coastal creek for 2 weeks should do it, the authorities used to know it worked for cholera. If they insist on sending you by public transport to a window sealed hotel for 2 weeks to breath the aircon recirculated air of everyone getting off flights my suspicion that the country is now run by idiots will be cemented as fact.

 

[Adios]

Also worth checking HMRC Notice 8 about bringing a boat back to the UK.

If you didn't tell them it has been out of the UK they won't be surprised to find it is in the UK after you're back. No way I'd volunteer that info.

 

[dom]

Anchoring in a coastal creek for 2 weeks should do it, the authorities used to know it worked for cholera. If they insist on sending you by public transport to a window sealed hotel for 2 weeks to breath the aircon recirculated air of everyone getting off flights my suspicion that the country is now run by idiots will be cemented as fact.

As I understand it, quarantine arrangements must be made in advance of the travel and must indeed be in a designated hotel at a fixed cost of £1,750.

 

[Poignard]

I may do the same but I'm wondering whether you have to be "stamped out" of France when you have never (I assume) been "stamped in". As you wouldn't have done if your boat was already in France on 31st December 2020.

Sorry, I am mistaken about this.

It is you who is stamped in and out, not your boat.

You will be stamped in to France when you go to collect her and disembark at the French ferry port .

You will be stamped out when you leave your chosen French port of entry/exit in your boat.

If you are not stamped out of France the authorities there will have you marked down as an overstayer and will doubtless put a price on your head and hunt you down.

 

[Sandy]

If you didn't tell them it has been out of the UK they won't be surprised to find it is in the UK after you're back. No way I'd volunteer that info.

We all look at risk differently.

 

[Lightwave395]

Got a quick reply from Roscoff marina, they will investigate for me and let me know, I'll post if/when they reply, they don't seem to know any more than we do.

As to some of the posts above, France are not yet on the 'Red list' and may or may not be put on it. I'm trying to be pragmatic but am prepared to adhere to what rules I can understand. If France do get red listed, I'll wait until they come off, I don't anticipate it will last long, the risk generally IMHO is when I arrive back.
There are many unknowns, I don't have any concern about the RGR/VAT side of things, it's the 'me' returning I'm trying to get straight in my mind.

Currently I would have to buy a test to get a clean entry into France and a 'return pack' of two tests then take the first within 2 days of returning then the 2nd 7 days later, I don't have an issue with that. I'd be happy to stay on the boat in Falmouth with my little yellow flag flying - would it be moored in UK waters or actually going ashore that counts ?

 

[Adios]

We all look at risk differently.

True. I'd maybe do more research before making a final decision on it as well.

 

[st599]

If France does go on to the red list, then you can't arrive back in to the UK by boat. The only quarantine ports of entry are a short list of airports.

 

[Frogmogman]

I think you're right, you never know which side of bed the French immigration guys may have got out of...

I have a theory about timing potentially painful experiences with French officials for just after lunch, when they are feeling replete, and therefore more expansive.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I may do the same but I'm wondering whether you have to be "stamped out" of France when you have never (I assume) been "stamped in". As you wouldn't have done if your boat was already in France on 31st December 2020.

It’s you that needs stamping out to ensure you’re not using up your 90/180 allowance, nothing to do with your boat.

 

[Poignard]

It’s you that needs stamping out to ensure you’re not using up your 90/180 allowance, nothing to do with your boat.

Yes. See post #10 .

 

[Seven Spades]

I think you will find that the quarantine requirements for hotels only applies to arrivals by air. If you arrive by your own vessel you are required to self isolate on your boat for the quarantine period. This is the information I was given by the RYA. They decided not to pursue it with the government in case it made matters worse. I suggest that if you move home back to the UK then just arrive and call the national yacht line and follow their instructions.

 

[L_555]

Hi guys- if it is any help, several friends travelled back to the UK in the past couple of weeks by car (Euro tunnel) from Franceo. You are required to have a pcr test (max 48 hours old) and prof that you have 2 tests booked and paid for in the uk for day 2 and 8. You can then quarantine at 'your abode'. You will get called everyday to ensure you are where you have said you will be. Ironically, you can book the tests at Boots, and seemingly go and pick them up at the shop when you arrive... Totally sensible

 

[guernseyman]

Any Channel Islanders here should note that they need not use one of the 'ports of entry'. The latter will be notified by the port that you do enter.