Customs checks in France

[bobandpam]

Further to the previous query. Just how thorough are the checks on motorhomes when one exits the channel tunnel in France? Do they come on board and check fridge etc? Is there now a seperate exit lane for us wicked non europeans?

 

[Jo662]

We didn't get checked for fridge or any other contents by customs at all either end of the tunnel.

 

[Fulham Dave]

The only check we had was to ensure gas was switched off!

 

[bobandpam]

We didn't get checked for fridge or any other contents by customs at all either end of the tunnel.

Was this recently? Is it still as simple as it always was or are there new lanes to exit?

 

[busby]

None existent when we vame through the tunnel 3 weeks ago..Why worry..BUSBY.

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[bladerunner]

No evidence coming off ferry in Cherbourg.

 

[chaser]

Further to the previous query. Just how thorough are the checks on motorhomes when one exits the channel tunnel in France? Do they come on board and check fridge etc? Is there now a seperate exit lane for us wicked non europeans?

No checks off, all done in Folkstone.

 

[glenn2926]

Further to the previous query. Just how thorough are the checks on motorhomes when one exits the channel tunnel in France? Do they come on board and check fridge etc? Is there now a seperate exit lane for us wicked non europeans?

Nope, nothing. Drive off the train onto the motorway. Gas off check getting on but that’s the English guys. Nothing at all re customs.

 

[Robert Clark]

Sometimes we’ve been stopped and swabbed for drugs residue on the windows and steering wheel. But that’s always been the case

 

[glenn2926]

Sometimes we’ve been stopped and swabbed for drugs residue on the windows and steering wheel. But that’s always been the case

Aye, we got swabbed on the way back. I asked the customs guy what it was for. He said explosives but he was laughing when he said it.

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[DangerMousy]

French customs hang around just after French passport control in Folkestone and are stopping vehicles as they leave....probably a combination of random stops and intelligence-led. The van in front of us was pulled over and there was a long conversation about the motorbike and equipment in the back (looked like some kind of non-road legal bike) so probably he didn't have the correct paperwork for the bike. Eventually they pulled him off to the side so at least they were no longer blocking the passport control lanes and the rest of us could proceed. We also noticed a few cars that had been pulled over, but we didn't see any motorhomes being checked.

On the way back UK customs were checking after UK passport control. We were pulled over for a quick check and chat because we mentioned we'd been near Wissant the night before and apparently that's where they're currently launching the dinghies from. She just wanted to check lockers and inside to make sure we didn't have any stowaways....wasn't at all interested in any of our shopping

 

[Jo662]

Was this recently? Is it still as simple as it always was or are there new lanes to exit?

Came home on Monday. The customs is just the same, no checks, for me anyway!

 

[spitfire]

What about the other way . No cheese, saucisson, celeriac rémoulade or tomatoes for our son ?

 

[Peter & Elaine]

We came through tunnel last Wednesday night
passport check and stamped
I submitted covid paper work covid cert and locater form all on line the day before travel so it was all there ready on screen for them to see
gas check just before boarding they did not seem be bothered with anything else
for us it was easy and quick no hassle

there was a bit of a wait at uk immigration booth due to some car passengers not having correct paper work to hand so they where pulled into a side area to produce what they needed
one car was definitely refused and sent out

 

[Raul]

Plain sailing, just now. Pass stamped at French side and scanned at UK side. No search this time.

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[Solwaybuggier]

Out 5 weeks ago, no checks for fresh produce etc, and hardly any checks for the vaccination certificates.
Back today through the tunnel, the usual swab of steering wheel - the only difference is it wasn’t an instant result, like it used to be, we all had to wait a few minutes for “results “ to come back. Has the test got more sophisticated?
At UK customs no question about goods to declare (let alone red & green lanes!) - my wife asked if they wanted to see the passenger locator form which we spent time completing, but apparently if you upload it to the Advanced Passenger Information (API) screen they already have it.

 

[suavecarve]

No checks for us either way (recent)

 

[Stealaway]

No problems. No extra checks.
Back to normal again now except for checking your QR codes for both jabs.

 

[tony_g]

No problem at Newhaven or Dieppe. Gas off? Yep! On your way. Both sides wanted Vax QR codes. Half hearted 'anything to declare' at Dieppe. Nope...OK....
However, I'm travelling on my Irish passport and Mrs tony_g on her UK one....which got stamped on entry to France. May need to challenge that. Taking a location stamped selfie every day as proof she is travelling with me.

 

[deleted79651]

No problem at Newhaven or Dieppe. Gas off? Yep! On your way. Both sides wanted Vax QR codes. Half hearted 'anything to declare' at Dieppe. Nope...OK....
However, I'm travelling on my Irish passport and Mrs tony_g on her UK one....which got stamped on entry to France. May need to challenge that. Taking a location stamped selfie every day as proof she is travelling with me.

If you're concerned re the 'travelling with spouse' tally, take a picture of your ferry tickets {or save the downloaded versions to your phone], And/or ask the Border Guard for confirmation that Mrs tony g has not used any of her 90 days allowance.

Steve

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[wp1234]

Further to the previous query. Just how thorough are the checks on motorhomes when one exits the channel tunnel in France? Do they come on board and check fridge etc? Is there now a seperate exit lane for us wicked non europeans?

No they don’t come aboard and only tunnel staff check gas bottle valve

 

[Southdowners]

We were asked at the UK end if our gas was off - took our word that it was off.

Passports checked and vaccination records checked. Drove onto train and off at the other end... same as always really.

 

[busby]

This obsession about taking food out of UK is the new Gassing thread,,,BUSBY.

 

[orridge]

No checks at Folkestone although on exiting in Calais we came out via the truck exit not the usual exit which may have been done to roadworks but there was a lane for Customs and some number plates were in the screen but not sure if that was for cars or lorries and I did not see any cars being stopped.