How to clear out of France in a UK flagged yacht and as a UK resident
Since the start of 2021 UK citizens do not have the right to free movement around the EU or the right to indefinite stay in the EU. That much is known, whether we like it or not.
Currently it seems that UK citizens can travel into and out of the EU without a visa using a British passport, but may only stay for a limited time. For further information on this subject check the FCO website.
Why do we need to be concerned about leaving EU waters?
The reason for writing this is to highlight the issue that UK citizens should now officially be recorded as having left the EU, and that a vessel may need customs clearance to do so. That is, that it should clear out of the EU. Since Brexit there will have been very few UK flagged yachts making the journey across the Channel mainly as a result of the Covid pandemic. But many boat owners will now be thinking of doing so especially as a result of the limited time frame available to ensure VAT Returned Goods Relief.
I have spent a great deal of time trying to find hard information regarding the process that needs to be followed to properly clear out of France in a UK flagged yacht – this is because I have been engaged to deliver yachts back to the UK for their owners. It has struck me that skipper and crew will arrive in the EU by normal means (plane/ ferry/ train) and depart by unusual means. On arrival it is very likely that their passports will be stamped and the entry into the Schengen area recorded. It would seem very sensible that the departure should also be recorded – for fear that the Schengen ‘clock’ will keep ticking and future entry to the area will be complicated by not having evidence of leaving on the previous occasion.
I read through pages of official websites, forums and sent numerous emails to bodies in France, looking for further information. Quite simply, because no one has done the journey yet there is no clarity as to what needs to be done.
Leaving France
Thanks to the kind auspices of the Cruising Association local representative in Brittany I now have the relevant forms and a description of the process as it should work. What is described below refers to Brittany and Brest in particular.
- When leaving your final port inform the Harbour Master (Capitainerie) that the vessel will be leaving the Schengen area. Inform them that you will make your way to Brest in order to clear out.
- Hopefully the local Capitainerie will phone the Capitainerie in Brest to tell them that you are on the way.
- Prior to departure send the two forms below along with scans of the passports of all crew members to Brest Customs bse-brest@douane.finances.gouv.fr
- You should state what date/ time you should expect to arrive.
- Make your way to Brest harbour and then the Capitainerie, who should be able to direct you from there.
French Customs Yacht Details French Customs Crew Details
In addition I have sourced the EU document which lists the official ports of entry into the EU – this shows which ports in France (and elsewhere) where clearing out procedures can be carried out.
I hasten to add that this procedure has not yet been tested. As soon as I have done my first trip (probably at the end of May) I will update this post.
How to clear in to the UK
Since first writing this post, there have been developments. As of summer 2022 there is now an online portal to replace the C1331 form (though you can still use it.)
Tell Border Force and HMRC you are sailing to or from the UK in a pleasure craft
It is now mandatory to complete form C1331 when leaving and arriving in the UK by boat. Hopefully in the not too distant future there will be a simple electronic way of informing Border Force of arrival and departure. In the meantime Part 2 of C1331 tells you what you have to do on arrival but in brief you must:
- fly the Q flag from where it can be easily seen as soon as you enter UK waters (12 mile limit)
- phone the 24-hour National Yachtline (0300 123 2012) when you arrive in harbour and no one must leave the vessel until they have been clearance to do so.
Currently these arrangements are being broadcast on VHF by UK Coastguard as part of the Maritime Safety Information broadcasts.
Further information on all of the above issues can be found in various places if you have time to hunt around. The RYA has published a more comprehensive review of the post Brexit situation for yachtsmen than is contained here.
