Going To The Channel Isles

[Guest]

Having cruised and raced quite a lot on the French coast, this year I intend to visit the Channel Isles, Alderney in particular, but I am confused about all I read about it not being part of the EU like France, and got to do customs and have a "Q" flag. Can anyone give me some advice or information about these things

Matt

 

[Chris_Stannard]

I have never bothered with a Q flag although I suppose you should. the Harbour Master will deliver a form for you to fill in, it does ask for your passport numbers so have them with you. You post it in a box handy to the jetty. It covers Guernsey as well.

Have a good trip.

PS coming back you are supposed to clear Customs by phoning. If you go into France they should clear you through the EU Customs but trying to find the officials from the Douane is like tryint to find a London Taxi in the rush hour when it is raining. I have never bothered and have never been bothered. If you do go into France make sure you have proof that VAT has been paid. They can get very nasty if you cannot prove it.

Chris Stannard

 

[rogerroger]

went there last year - flew Q flag, filled out a form on the harbour wall and posted it in a box next to it.

Couldn't have been easier.

Fantastic place - Diver pub is a good first stop and there are some great restaurants in the town Lovely friendly people too...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Piers]

As has been said, you need the Q flag, and you'll to fill in the form (take your passports for the numbers) from the H/M and put it in the box at the top of gangway.

Completing the form for Aldertney covers you for Guernsey as well, but not Jersey.

The reason for all this is that although the Channel Islands are part of the British Isles, they are not part of the United Kingdom or the EU. Hence, their own laws, governments, no VAT, low taxation, cheap fuel, S*****N is less expensive, and so on.

The Islands loyalty is directly to the Duke of Normandy, a title owned by the Queen. Many is the time I remember my father (a Jerseyman) proposing the loyal toast at Christmas by saying "The Duke - the Queen".

Piers du Pré
MBM Cruising Club enthusiast
www.dupre.co.uk/fsPlaydeau.htm

 

[tony_brighton]

Different Bailliwicks have different forms so there is one form for Alderney, Guernsey, Herm and Sark and a different one for Jersey.

If entering Alderney or Guernsey, you will usually be met by a very helpful harbour master who will not only relieve you of fees but sort you out with paper work which really isn't onerous. You only have to state the vessel id, registration and people (+nationalities) on board. On approach you are are obliged to fly Q from the stbd spreader; once you have checked in you do not need to do so again as long as you remain within the Bailliwick (not sure about moving between Bailliwicks but the HM willhelp). The HM will tell you to take it down when you have cleared in.

In theory you are meant to fly Q on your return but as has been stated many people dont bother and arent bothered by HMC&E. Similarly, you are meant to call them or fill out the form and drop it in the box at your local marina.

I wouldn't worry about it - its not stressful and the officials are usually very helpful.

 

[bedouin]

According to the official guide you still have to clear customs in Guernsey, even if coming from Alderney. However as it just filling in a simple form and posting it in a box, it is not an arduous task.

However leaving/returning to the UK is. Technically I believe you are committing a criminal offence if you sail directly to CI from UK without previously notifying HMCE; similarly the procedures for returning to the UK directly from CI are more complex.

Of course you are highly unlikely to be found out - and I've no idea in practice what action HMCE would take if they did catch you; however my preference is to return via France, where they have a much more relaxed attitude

 

[Piers]

Interesting...yet I suspect the double check that Guernsey may make is simply to make sure you really have arrived from Alderney and not somewhere else. Hence, the paperwork you had in Alderney will prove the matter. But certainly, no need to fly the Q flag.

As to the return trip to the UK direct from the CI, all you have to do is call Customs (and fly the Q flag) if you have goods to declare over and above the non-EU limit. Just to make sure that I've been doing it right for years, I have just called the Customs enquiry line and had it verified!

If you have travelled from the CI to the UK via Cherbourg, the full EU allowances apply, and hence no action on Q flag / customs on arrival in the UK.

Piers du Pré
MBM Cruising Club enthusiast
www.dupre.co.uk/fsPlaydeau.htm

 

[DepSol]

iers I am imressed you certainly have done your homework and know your history.

Dom

 

[Guest]

Think of the persons/vessels that are permently in the Channel Islands!

If you cruise, follow notice 8 of customs and excise, or stay on land!!! You have the responsibility of keeping up to date.

 

[Guest]

Hi All,

Many thanks for the information, thinking of visiting Cherbourg, then going on to Alderney and then returning to the solent via Weymouth or Poole. Is there a form that we need to complete to be allowed back into the UK after going to Alderney?

 

[Guest]

Notice 8 "Very Specific" on WHAT YOU MUST DO. Fly "Q" flag when you are in the 12 mile limit (you will have been monitored even if you are noy aware of it (more to do with illegal emigrants, especially as recently many were apreheneded trying to get in through the Channel Islands) on small vessels. Keep flag flying until told by Customs that you can take it down. Form C1331. from your local Customs Office must be completed before youe leave, if possible, but at least when you return.

Trust all your crew are from EU!!!