Customs clearance France.

A couple of years ago I researched rules on yachts entering France.

The following proved to be true on the ground...

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 )

It helped a lot having a folding push bike, making a trip to get the passport stamped a fun experience rather than an inconvenience.

last year there was talk that bar code scanners were coming, automating the entry process and reducing the need to make land fall at a specific port of entry.

Has anything changed over the last couple of years or are we atill stuck in this anachronistic beaurocratic hinterland?

That's pretty much the size of it. Though Cherbourg PAF come to the marina on busy days, at 9am. It's worth printing out the preavis, as they asked for it. I think you're also supposed to phone them on arrival, and they either say, see you at 9am, or come to the douanes office. At which point the Q flag comes down, I wasn't sure, same for re-entering the UK, as the new system doesn't seem to have a phone number to ask permission to lower it.

Talking of which, is there a good port for getting the vat/TVA back on wine etc? Calais obviously, but Cherbourg Carrefour just gave us a gallic shrug when asked for a tax invoice/bar code for les douaniers, and the tax refund machine in the terminal wasn't working anyway ('Er Ladyship wasn't best pleased at traipsing all that way for no joy. I summoned the customs officer on duty, who was very nice and tried to help, but wanted to see the goods, which were already on board back in the marina - no chance; wheeling the Carrefour trolley to the boat was bad enough)!

Incidentally, as my wife is German, and I'm supposed to get free movement into the EU without time limit when I'm with her, I asked to sidestep passport stamps etc, but no dice - either they are unaware of that rule, or do not wish to apply it.

Major Tom said:

It's worth printing out the preavis, as they asked for it.

Click to expand...

Or show them the email as proof of you sending the PAF electronically.

Shame. Barcode system seemed a good idea.

I needed a new Preavis form to leave Roscoff once, not sure why. I always seem to end up in the wrong despite my best efforts, there is a species of minor bureaucrat who likes to demonstrate that you are wrong whatever the circumstances, others are charming of course.

doug748 said:

species of minor bureaucrat who likes to demonstrate that you are wrong whatever the circumstances

Click to expand...

That's the same the world over

There's a new system coming at the end of the year where you register your biometric data and use that to enter.