All,
Like many others I am planning to take my Matchie over to Normandy this year for the D.Day Commemorations and I am at a loss for what documents are required for transporting on my trailer through customs (V5 and certificate of insurance for bike and car to be carried. Green card no longer required so i'm told)
I have spoken with Customs and Excise now on 3 occasions to 3 different operatives and got 3 different answers! These have ranged from Temporary Carnet, Form C21 and export/import duties that will need paying.
As the bike will be on a trailer or van and not ridden through customs they interpret that as goods being exported and duties owed, although one operative said a discount may be available from this duty on return to the UK if another form is completed. The other asked 'is France in the EU?'
Has anyone else been down this dead end road recently and in a position to advise?
Confused
Pete
I phoned border control here in Poole last September about this and spoke to a helpful guy and then his boss, who told me to print off forms
C & E 1246, Fill in the two forms and get them signed at the port and show them on your return if asked. They assured me there will be nothing to pay.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/import-and-export-returned-goods-relief-declarations-for-using-duplicate-lists-ce1246
It's typical (as with DVLA) staff have their own interpretation of the rules.....Or just make up what they think it should be:white_frowning_face: Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
OK I've just emailed Hagerty insurance for clarification and a friend has emailed his company. We await their replies. I also intend to take one or two bikes in my van. Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
Ron,
Thanks for your input, perhaps your sources are more informed than those I have spoken to.
Pete
Well Hagerty are one of the major insurers for specialist vehicles and here is their reply below. However I have asked them to double confirm this as the bikes in question will not be ridden on route so will effectively be "cargo". Ron
"Thank you for your email.
All you need to take with you is your insurance certificate. You do not need to take the V5C’s with you. Green cards are no longer required for EU countries, so it is just the insurance certificate you will need to have on you. Please see link below regarding green cards;
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-abroad
We are not familiar with the C&E forms unfortunately. I would query this with your local boarder control.
Kind regards,
Daniel Fitzmaurice"
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
Straight away they are back peddling!! Ron
"Good afternoon,
Thank you for your quick response.
We are here to help when we can, however we cannot give advice on this matter. My manager has advised that you check this with your local custom control, as we do not want to misinform you.
Please see the link below, which should be useful for you;
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs
I have just discussed this with my manager, who has advised that you ought to take the V5C’s with you if you intent to ride the bikes in France.
Kind regards,
Daniel Fitzmaurice"
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
Pete and all.
I just emailed Customs at Poole Harbour and got this immediate response from Jemma. Ron
"Good morning Ron
Thank you for your email.
I can confirm that a C&E 1246 (Returned Goods Declaration) will need to be completed and endorsed by Border Force for the temporary export and re-import of the motorcycles.
Two copies will need to be completed, one copy is kept by Border Force and a copy for yourself. Prior to you departure please visit the International Trade public counter located on the port, where the goods will be inspected and the completed C&E 1246 documents endorsed.
Please find attached a blank C&E 1246. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/946392/CE1246.pdf
I hope this helps.
Kind regards
Jemma Porter
Border Force Transitional Staff
Dorset Border Force
Border Force South
Portcullis House
New Harbour Road (South)
Hamworthy
Poole
Dorset
BH15 4AJ
T: +44 (0)1202634555"
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
Thanks Ron, this will save a lot of people discovering this for themselves.
With all the motorised bicycles and mopeds that holiday makers carry customs will soon get fed up with doing this.
email (option): pes.sales@btconnect.com
Thanks Ron,
Its good that your local Custom guys are up to speed with the requirements.
Pete
Travel info to France. Ron
TRAVEL TO FRANCE
From 31 March, the sworn statement form is no longer necessary for any passengers when entering France. The compelling reason document is also no longer required for unvaccinated travellers.
Fully vaccinated passengers aged 12 years and over travelling from the UK must provide evidence of their vaccination status. You can do this via the NHS app. The vaccination schedule is considered complete:
28 days after receiving one dose of Janssen vaccine; OR
seven days after a second dose of other vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (namely Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield); OR
for persons who have received all the required doses of a WHO-licensed vaccine not approved by the European Medicines Agency, seven days after receiving an additional dose of a duly approved mRNA vaccine.
Your date(s) of vaccination must be specified and your final dose must have been administered within 9 months prior to travel. If you completed your vaccination (with both doses of a 2-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine) more than 9 months prior to travel, you must be able to show proof of having received a booster jab.
Unvaccinated passengers aged 12 years and over must show either:
a negative result of a PCR (taken less than 72 hours before departure) or antigen test (taken less than 48 hours before departure); OR
a certificate of recovery (from a positive result of a PCR or antigen test carried out more than eleven days and less than six months previously. This certificate is only valid for a period of six months from the date of the examination or test).
Children under 12 years are exempt from all Covid travel rules for entering France.
For the latest government advice visit France Diplomacy - Advice for Foreign Nationals in France.
Health Pass (Pass Sanitaire)
Visitors to France (including children aged 12 years and over) will need to prove that they are fully vaccinated in order to travel on buses and trains, and to enter certain leisure facilities and sites, including restaurants, bars, shopping centres, amusement parks, and hospitals. You can do so by downloading the NHS app and getting a QR code proving your vaccination status. If you are unable to do this then you can phone 119 and request a paper copy of your vaccination status. There is more information about this here. Please note that only the NHS COVID Pass will be accepted as proof of full vaccination status.
You may wish to download the TousAntiCovid app and scan in your NHS QR code to prove your vaccination status.
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
Some good news for you, chaps although informally I have heard that there is still a likelihood of body cavity searches for anyone suspected of having voted for Brexit.
https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/bike-transport-uk-eu/
https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/wp-content/uploads/documents_library/ARES(2022)3701812_temporary_transfer_of_roadlegal_vehicles_between_UK_and_EU.pdf
Well that's good to hear Rik. I already printed off and filled in the C&E 1246 forms, which only took a few minutes, so might as well take them with me just in case. Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
How did everyone get on taking their bikes to Normandy this year with the customs etc, I'd be interested to know,
Thanks Gary
Not the slightest hiccup from everyone that I spoke to and traveled with on either side of the Channel Gary. Also, no one I know of had any issues whatsoever with the so called ban on importing various foodstuff into EU.....I need not have dumped my bacon and milk before departure!!:angry: Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
Had Irish sausage, bacon, black & white puddings every day over -
I’ll bring some next time for you guys
😃
Jo’b
email (option): jonnyob1@googlemail.com
Just out of interest, did the historic lorries and trucks carry that stupid French Blind-spot warning stickers for cyclists ? The Belgian federation have told us that there is no exemption for older vehicles over 3.5t...they must look bloody daft on something in matt green.