June 2025
Some of the Ports of Entry seem to have amended their processes. We travelled to Brest Chateau marina in late May and while in transit, we received the form, stamped by the douane. We needed to get our passports stamped as some of our crew were arriving/departing by ferry later in the journey, and they were happy to do that and understood the situation.
A similar process was experienced by a fellow boater in Granville. They received the following message
“We have taken into account your migration notice, and we consider that it falls under the new simplified French procedure for pleasure boaters (summer 2024).
This means that you are authorized to continue your trip as announced on the document: you can enter the pleasure port (“marina”) of Granville or Chausey, or leave depending on the type of notice (Arrival or Departure), without systematic physical check and without stamping your passport (you can continue your journey without having to go to the Granville migration control office).
If we ultimately wish to meet you, we will meet you at the marina using the times declared on your documents.
If you wish to meet with us, or if the information you have communicated to us has changed (date or time, names or number of passengers, etc.), let us know as soon as possible.”
30th May 2024
We are delighted to announce the new arrangements now in place. Please see the following Official Press release
Communiqué press_english version
Thank you to the French authorities as well as the ports and marina officials who worked so hard to introduce these new rules.
The PPF they refer to are the official Ports of Entry. The new rules are for non-PF marinas. In the past, you had to go to a PPF marina first (with a few exceptions) and now that has all changed for the better.
This is the form that needs to be completed. I am not sure it is the final version of the form but is the one that Treguier kindly provided. I suggest you contact the marina you will be visiting for their version of the form.
Word version (.docx file) Annexe-1-Formulaire-declaratif
Word version (open .odt file) Annexe 1 – Formulaire déclaratif
PDF version (may not be editable for some users) Annexe-1-Formulaire-declaratif
PDF version (I had done some work to turn it into a form, not sure how well it will work) Annexe-1-Formulaire-declaratif editable
The new arrangements will no doubt raise some questions and I have started a Question and Answers section below
Please email marinas@digimap.gg with any updates that would be useful to fellow boaters, including photos.
25th June 2024 update
Publication of the National and Local Protocols has provoked a number of queries that have required further clarification from the Steering and Information Section (CRPC) of the Regional Customs Authority in Brittany
We have been able to obtain clarification on certain points, and the more important of these are given hereunder :
- If a boat arrives in France via a non-PPF port (see Annexe 2 below) it should only leave by another non-PPF port. No inspection of passports is required, as all information concerning persons on board is contained in the Declarations of Arrival and Departure submitted to the marina authorities for onward transmission to the Border Authorities.
- If a boat arrives and leaves by the same non-PPF port, no inspection of passports is required for the same reasons as given in 1)
- If a boat arrives in France via a PPF port (see Annexe 3) it must leave via a PPF port, and passports will be stamped on arrival and departure by the Border Authorities, although Declarations of Arrival and Departure must still be submitted to the relevant marina authorities.
In the event that a boat arrives in France via a non-PPF port with the intention of leaving France via a PPF port, be warned that all those on board must present themselves ON ARRIVAL to the PPF port to which the non-PPF port is attached to have their passports stamped. For example as Brest is the PPF for L’Aber Wrac’h and L’Aber Wrac’h is the entry port into France, the boat should proceed initially to Brest before continuing to L’Aber Wrac’h.
When planning a cruise this requirement must be taken into account to avoid any delays or misunderstandings.
I trust this helps those planning to sail to France this season. We understand that the Regional Authorities in Brittany will collate all such enquiries and present them to the national authorities, authors of the Protocols, at the end of the season, to see if any changes to the Protocols need to be addressed.
Cordially,
Keith Martin
Question: Which are the marinas under this new arrangement?
Answer: This is the list of the marinas – Annexe 2 – Liste ports de plaisance éligibles rev
PPF Ports of Enrtry
Question: How does this affect the existing official Ports of Entry?
Answer: It would appear for all marinas you need to send in your form in advance
If the marina has a customs office, for example, Roscoff, Le Légué (Saint Brieuc), Saint Malo, they will stamp your passport
If the marina does not have a customs office – for which these new rules apply. They will make your stamped form available for you at the marina or send it to you. Please do remember to retain your stamped form.