This summer, clearance procedures into northern France for non-EU yachts have been simplified with arrival (and departure) permitted at two additional ports without having to deal with officials/passport checks as long as a pre-arrival form is submitted, according to an update from the Cruising Association

Published 2 years ago

Source:  Cruising Association

Update:  July 13, 2022

Boulogne is claiming to no longer be a port of entry as they have no Officials locally to process arrivals and departures. Some arrivals have been recommended to travel by train to Calais for processing.

There are important limitations to the flexibility of onward movement for those using the special dispensation at St Quay and St Cast, details of which are available on the marina websites or click here for the procedure document.

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Posted: May 26, 2022

With the 2022 cruising season getting underway and pandemic restrictions easing for travel, the appeal of crossing the channel to France is attractive for many UK based cruisers.

Demonstrating the dynamic nature of the process for Entering and Leaving France, the Cruising Association has received information that two additional French channel ports – Saint Cast and Saint Quay – have now been given special dispensation for a limited period to permit arrivals and departures without passports being stamped.

From 1 June 2022 to 30 September 2022 visitors arriving to the ports of Saint Cast and Saint Quay by sea from outside the EU may submit a ‘Preavis Immigration’/Notice of Arrival form to avoid the need for passports to be stamped. The form must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of arrival or for shorter passages before departure from the previous port. The same process applies to departure.

A copy of the ‘Preavis Immigration’/Notice of Arrival form must be kept on board at all times. This dispensation applies uniquely to Saint Cast and Saint Quay, which are both on the north Brittany coast.

The Cruising Association has endeavoured to keep its members up to date on the protocols for arriving to and departing from France, based on information from French authorities, feedback from local representatives and from CA members who have shared first-hand experiences of the processes.

The Association is pleased to be able to publicly share an overview of these currently effective updates, to the broader cruising community.

Entering and Leaving France for Cruisers – An Update

For details on Clearance Procedures into France see Noonsite French Formalities.

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The Cruising Association

The Cruising Association is Britain’s leading organisation for cruising sailors. From its headquarters in London’s Limehouse Basin, it maintains close contact with more than 4300 members worldwide. Founded in 1908 it has one of the most extensive nautical libraries and cruising information centres in the world and works closely with government and international bodies to protect the interests of leisure sailors. It also has specialist sections in 17 different cruising regions. The Association’s patron is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE, the record-breaking round-the-world yachtsman.

https://www.theca.org.uk

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