Visiting France -

stu9000

stu9000

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Hi

I have read the various threads on EU rules for 3rd country (i.e. UK) citizens entering France.
I have also read the RYA and CA advice.
However I don't feel I have this process completely locked down yet.
Can you help me to work out a very clear action plan please.

  1. Enter via Port of Entry
  2. Use a downloaded Preavis Immigration form (specific to the port) = to be e mailed back to the port prior to arrival
  3. Get passport stamped by Local Border Police (Police Aux Frontières – PAF) or by Customs (Douane)
  4. On leaving France must get exit stamp ( or could get a fine for overstaying )

Entering from Thames Estuary so will aim for Calais.
Exit routine for leaving and re-entering UK is to e mail the E1331 form and to Call Yachtline on return.
I understand this process (I believe) so will focus on entry to France.

Although entry can be made via non port of entry destinations the whole process seems poorly established.
This forum reported some difficulty getting passports stamped in Boulogne.
I will focus on Calais, Dieppe and Cherbourg as likely entry/exit ports.

Looking at the Calais website I could not find the Preavis Immigration form so have fallen at the first hurdle.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
If you sail to St Cast though process might be different . Head on down to Solent,then to channel island of choice and enjoy the sandy beach of st cast(plus a good marina)
 
I spent two days at Roscoff recently (highly recommended). I asked the marina office if we needed to clear in and their answer was refreshing - no need for such a short time, paperwork is onerous, you seem good people, customs won't mind! No passport or Q flag asked for.

All more complex on our return (we were on our way back from Lagos).... Yachtline tried to be helpful but the whole system needs streamlining; it's not logical or thought out very well. Form E1331 pt2 must be filled in electronically, HMRC wouldn't accept a hand filled and scanned one.

Most important is that if you are stamped in by France then you MUST be stamped out again.
 
Thanks . I have the e1331 form and yacht line number. What i cannot find is the Preavis Immigration form specifically for calais. From what I've the form streamlines the process or should I just find the customs office when I get into Calais? Will e mail them but I wanted to see what the practical experience was
 
stu9000 said:
Thanks . I have the e1331 form and yacht line number. What i cannot find is the Preavis Immigration form specifically for calais. From what I've the form streamlines the process or should I just find the customs office when I get into Calais? Will e mail them but I wanted to see what the practical experience was
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Just go! They'll be happy to help you on arrival I'm sure. Sometimes (though not always) it's better to 'wing it' - it's not incumbent upon you to fill in forms before you go anyway, at least not in my experience. I think it's a case of the bloody UK authorities heaping ever more bureaucracy on us - it all seems far more relaxed on the continent.
 
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