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Topic: Customs in Calais/Dunkirk

roy gallafant

19/5/2017 at 9:37am
Location: Berks.
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn Vigo

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Do we still have British Customs Officers checking us and our vehicles when leaving Calais & Dunkirk?
I ask because every year we use Dover-Calais/Dunkirk return and it is such a slick operation. We are checked by British Customs in France and then when we get to Dover we are straight off the ferry and on our way.
This week we returned from France via Le Havre-Portsmouth.
In Le Havre a French policeman checked our car and caravan but there weren't any British Customs Officers. When we got to Portsmouth it took us just over an hour from coming down the ferry ramp to leaving the port. I just wondered have British Customs been withdrawn from French ports or is it because there are so few ferries leaving the likes of Le Havre that it isn't cost effective to install Customs Officers there.

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Berriow

19/5/2017 at 9:58am
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Yes, there still are British border force staff in Calais - although the new French President has said he would like to send them packing and have them back on UK soil.

roy gallafant

19/5/2017 at 12:49pm
Location: Berks.
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That's good news, thank you for that.
Yes I don't think the new French President has much time for us.

andyd71

19/5/2017 at 1:24pm
Location: Pontyclun
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Dover Calais/Tunnel has a special deal

-------------
2022
North and West wales grand tour (in T5)
Matlock (in T5)
New forest and IOW (in T5)
New Forest
La tranche sur mer
jevea (Valencia)
2023
Cotswolds
Tenby
(added a Compass Rallye to crew)
Royan
La tranche Sur Mer
2024
royan
La tranche

'Wyrd bith ful araed-Fate will out'

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Opensauce

19/5/2017 at 1:36pm
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We are still in the EU so nothing has changed. Your passport is still checked in Calais & Dunkirk by UK immigration before getting on boat to UK. In all other ports UK immigration is based in UK hence delay getting out of port. The customs are in Dover. French immigration are at Dover checking passports before you leave for France. Previously they hardly checked at all now they seem to check every passport which could lead to delays at busy periods.

It's possible you could be checked by French customs ie Douane when leaving Calais/Dunkirk but I've never had it happen. Douane can also stop you one the road anywhere in France. It's how customs operate in countries with mostly land borders.

In French ports you will now have police checks & you will see armed military. This is to do with terrorism risk.

Macron or Mac as I call him is a good mate of mine. He speaks fluent English & loves us...

nafuk

19/5/2017 at 7:56pm
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The arrangement for customs etc. in France is a UK French agreement and nothing to do with the EU so could continue after we Brexit.

LlaniDavis

19/5/2017 at 9:35pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
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I think some are getting confused on what staff they see where.
The staff at Calais and Dunkirk are NOT Customs but Immigration Officers. You will only see Customs Officers when you arrive in the UK.

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six2

19/5/2017 at 10:54pm
Location: yorkshire
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i came back via Calais 2 days ago and the checks was as follows, first the French army looked in the boot, then the French boarder control did our passports, uk passport control did our passports again, then a private French security firm did my car an boot again. then I drove to p&o booth an was asked if I had anything to declare.

Opensauce

20/5/2017 at 8:28am
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UK remain the most difficult country to enter. Every passport checked & possibilty of having car turned out by customs on arrival in UK. Entering France remains easy by comparison. Due to terrorist activity expect good security at French ports.

Val A

20/5/2017 at 8:53am
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Security has been increased at the Channel ports, in our experience anyway, since the Paris attacks - and the level of checks has been increasing each time. Everyone travelling should allow more time for these checks as they won't skimp just because you might miss your sailing/train.

It would be interesting if people can report back on their experiences, and at which ports over this summer so that those about to travel might have an idea what they will be in for.

nitnat

20/5/2017 at 5:57pm
Location: Staffordshire
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It's reassuring to hear that security has been increased.

-------------
Nat

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