Red diesel in France

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Chris Pink

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I am planning a cross channel trip to France, destination Calais.

Problem is I currently have 650 litres of red diesel in my tanks. Obviously there will still be some left when I get there.

What is the situation about this?

I have heard I will have to dump the diesel when I arrive in France? Is this true?

if so how does one dispose of 600 litres of diesel? short of walking the quay and selling it in 20 litre tins.

I don't have diesel heating though I am tempted to install in to save what seems a logistical nightmare.
 
Chris Pink said:
I am planning a cross channel trip to France, destination Calais.

Problem is I currently have 650 litres of red diesel in my tanks. Obviously there will still be some left when I get there.

What is the situation about this?

I have heard I will have to dump the diesel when I arrive in France? Is this true?

if so how does one dispose of 600 litres of diesel? short of walking the quay and selling it in 20 litre tins.

I don't have diesel heating though I am tempted to install in to save what seems a logistical nightmare.
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I think you are ok if it is in standard fuel tanks and you purchase fuel in France and keep receipts.
 
France is not a problem. Just keep your receipts for your last fill up but I have never been asked and I go every year. What you might need though is your boat's registration document, either part 1 or SSR. You are much more likely to be asked for this and if you don't have it, much trouble and possibly an on the spot fine.
 
Red diesel in tanks is only a problem in Belgium, and possibly the Netherlands. The French don't like it in jerrycans but even then are less rabid about it than the Belgiques.

Pete
 
as soon when you arrive in Calais, buy white fuel there and keep the receipt,
then you are covered for your further travels or stay in France,

I've only heard about one or two real "fuel" inspections near the Belgium coast in the last 10 years
But Boat documents and passenger passport controlls , happen frequently
 
BartW said:
as soon when you arrive in Calais, buy white fuel there and keep the receipt,
then you are covered for your further travels or stay in France,

I've only heard about one or two real "fuel" inspections near the Belgium coast in the last 10 years
But Boat documents and passenger passport controlls , happen frequently
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Bart has it right this is the way I did it, I had 1000lt on board on arrival in Calais topped up filed the receipt job done no problems.
 
neale said:
France is not a problem. Just keep your receipts for your last fill up but I have never been asked and I go every year. What you might need though is your boat's registration document, either part 1 or SSR. You are much more likely to be asked for this and if you don't have it, much trouble and possibly an on the spot fine.
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Exactly..on the occasions I have been "approached" they want to see SSR (or it is the Bastille) and have a nose about for contraband.
No interest in what colour fuel I am using.
All very polite and efficient. And thorough.
 
Red diesel's just a con anyway

bendyone said:
I have been in Calais for 10 years and never had a problem with fuel.
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Last year white diesel in Dunkirk was exactly the same price as 60/40 red diesel in Ramsgate.
The 'support' we get to maintain red diesel serves only to hide the ridiculous level of taxation here.:(
 
If you have your tanks inspected, the issue will be for you to prove from where you bought the red (keep every refuelling receipt as many have pointed out here), and your log will help by showing the distance and potential fuel used since refuelling. The latter is useful if you have at some time used white and the colour has been reduced. All adds up to proving the point.

As Bart says, adding white on arrival in France will certainly show your intentions are pure as the driven (white) snow.
 
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