red diesel in France

[oldjohnnyb]

I was surprised to read that a British yacht was fined F1000 because he had red diesel in his tanks. Since he didn't have reciepts to show he had bought the fuel in the UK he was deemed to have avoided fuel tax in France.
What is the background to this situation. How do I ensure not getting fined. How far back in the season must the reciepts go.

 

[Guest]

I don't know the exact legal situation, and of course in France the officials make their own rules anyway, but it is my understanding that you can legally take into France, and use, red diesel bought legally in the UK or Belgium, or presumably the Channel Isles, as long as it is stored in the vessel's normal fuel tanks. Once expended you must buy white diesel. My recommendation would be to keep a careful log of movements within France, engine hours etc., so as to be able to justify the presence of red diesel in the tanks.

 

[byron]

Bargee, what you said sums it up. They only 'pull' people on the Inland Waterways (inc. The Seine).

ô¿ô