Latest rules for cross channel trip

Tintin

Tintin

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The last time I went cross-channel was pre-covid and pre-brexit.

With the forecast easterlies, and the need to do some sea extended trials after being on the hard for 2 years, I'm thinking of a hop from Falmouth to Cameret, spend a few days, and back this week coming.

What's the latest rules for checking in and out in France?

Can it be done online?

Will I need to go to Brest first, or can I go straight to Cameret?

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
It depends, the new system starts rolling out this week. You may be the first victim.

Currently you can check in and out at a PAF port of entry like Brest, or there are some local schemes where you can check in and out at a marina and they'll log you on to the French system. You can't mix and match the 2 schemes. But that all starts changing from Monday - a new EU wide computer system begins rolling out with a completion date of April. Whether the French special scheme carries on, who knows?

Can one go to Camaret? Is it a PAF port of entry, or does it take part in a local scheme?
 
I would keep it simple and go to Brest, here is some entry info:

Customs formalities for yachts calling at Brest - Brest Marinas

You fire off the form and they will give you an appointment time, maybe. If you get stuffed by the tide, wait in somewhere like Anse de Bertheume.
You also have to check out of Brest, which may alter your plans, but it keeps things straightforward and you get stamps in the passport.

.
 
I’m pretty sure they had permission and declined to implement, there were a few ports like that. Also some implemented but not listed. The French like bureaucracy but aren’t good at it
 
According to Roscoff Douanes this morning, they are still operating the primary and secondary port system,as of now.
Note the Douanes are regional, so it is possible Brest is doing something else, but I might think that is unlikely.
 
Tintin said:
I found the link to the non-PFF entry points, and Camaret isn't listed.

https://www.douane.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2025-02/28/Liste des ports de plaisance rattachés au dispositif.pdf
Click to expand...
On the way through Camaret, in April, I was moored by a Dufour 34, bound for Spain and having crossed from Falmouth. Talking to them, they were there to combine a local check in with a convenient jumping off point to cross Biscay.
I left early next morning, to catch the tide, so we didn’t speak again….

Note to self: never assume!

I have always gone with the full PaF, since B day. As leaving the most options open. Including, if one needed to, leaving the boat moored up in a marina and flying / ferrying home for winter. And, if heading south, providing Schengen entry evidence readily recognised in Spain/Portugal.

Apologies, for having mislead. Off to eat humble pie 🥧 and / or hat 🎩

EDIT: In an attempt to redeem myself, with accurate factual information: If PaFing in at Brest, worth noting that the (conveniently located office, on the quay adjacent to Le Chateau) is Monday to Friday only.
 
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The documents linked there were central I believe and the official list of ports allowed to operate the system. That led to the confusion I mentioned where some declined to do so and others decided they would despite not being on the list. Very French.
I can’t recall which ports were which.
 
Camaret were definitely offering the local option in ‘24. I remember well because they also definitely screwed up our attempt but told us we could sail on and they would email us the clearance email when they got it from the PAF. Never did and necessitated a tail between legs visit to Lorient PAF 3 weeks later. Got us an extra 3 weeks on our stay though.
 
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