Passport control at ports
Hi
We are going to France in may it is the first time we have been abroad with our caravan. We are going via ferry. what happens when we get to the ferry port do we all get out the car to show our passports do they check inside the caravan. any help would be
greatly appreciated also if people have any tips to make it as easy as possible for us
thanks
Comments
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As you pull into the port (of Dover) there are booths each side of the driving lanes. You pull up to the first booth (French) and if there is anyone there, hand your passport through to the staff - who often hand it straight back to you. At the second (British) check in they will check it on their computer and then hand it back.
At Calais on arriving back at the port you have a similar process, again with two booths - French and English (sometimes one, or even both are unmanned). If there is someone there you hand over passports, if not then you just drive though. At the moment there are checks taking place at some ports, in the queues just after check in - where security staff may ask you to open up your caravan so they can check inside and they may also wish to check inside your car, and underneath with a mirror on a stick.
Staff, in passport check booths on the French side, speak English.
You'll find the whole process quick and easy. However, things may change, in light of security changes - for instance after the Paris shootings increased security was in place at all borders.
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Going to Denmark last September via Newcastle>Amsterdam Van was given a reasonably thorough search by DFDS security on way out and Dutch Police on way back. They were looking at big voids (not e.g. drawers) so most likely looking for people being smuggled
rather than contraband.0 -
We were stopped at Portsmouth en route to Caen a couple of years ago, the caravan was thoroughly searched and the car was searched, we had to lift the bonnet up and they used mirrors on sticks to look underneath the car. We have been travelling to France
for 8 years and this was the 1st time.Last year we sailed from Roscoff to Portsmouth and we noticed the additional security, sniffer dogs with police parading up and down the rows of cars/caravans waiting to board the ferry and stopping randomly to search cars and caravans.
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Important.
Since last year you MUST pre-register your passport details when departing the UK. If you are travelling via the channel tunnel then either by phoning them on the number that came with your caravan club travel documents or online as well
if you booked direct with the Tunnel. Just like you have had to do for years when flying. It is called Advanced Passenger Information.This was supposed to be also applied to the ferry companies but I personally am not sure if that has been fully implemented yet or the facilities to do so but from what was said at the time then I expect the ferries now to be needing the information as well.
Regards, Roy
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We travel by ferry and we're crossing shortly, but there is no requirement to pre-register your passport details.
Also, if you're just making a single crossing with Eurotunnel from France to England there was no requirement to fill in passport details (or not in late October 2015 anyway)
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Val
I think its a fairly recent thing. We had to do it when we travelled last September on the Shuttle and I am pretty sure we had to do the same for Eurostar last October. Last September was the first time we had been abroad since 2013 and I don't recall doing then.
David
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Hi David - I don't think I made my post very clear. I wonder if it can be edited, so that others don't think I was trying to mislead.
I should have made it clear and said 'Also, if you're just making a single crossing with Eurotunnel from France to England there was no requirement to fill in passport details (or not in late October 2015 anyway).'
We came back with Eurotunnel, though we'd gone outwards with P and O - and we didn't book the return crossing with Eurotunnel until two days before.
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Here is what I received from Euro Tunnel when I booked my crossing:
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is now required by the UK government to perform Exit Checks to collect the passport or identity card details of all passengers travelling from our Folkestone terminal.
You must add your Advance Passenger Information (API) online using the booking reference number and booking password sent to you in your booking confirmation email.
If you do not supply your API in advance of travelling, you may be stopped at check-in and asked to add your passenger details to your booking before continuing on your journey.
peedee
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You need API for cruise ships departing UK, so I would imagine it's now implemented for ferries.
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If you book Eurotunnel through the CC you have to ring them prior to travel with your API information. You cannot do it on line (something about different booking references and computers).
It only takes a couple of minutes and in my view best done straight after booking (while you remember).
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Val
Hopefully I have edited the right post?
David
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You need API for cruise ships departing UK, so I would imagine it's now implemented for ferries.
We travel this weekend, with P and O, and have had no request to log our passport information prior to sailing.
It it is probably done at check in. In any case the ferry companies as with other waterborn craft have long had a legal responsibility to keep information about their passengers. On the Tunnel the primary focus has been on the vehicle and the one paying the bill. I think I am right in saying the number of passengers has in the past been of little concern.
peedee
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Stu192. I wouldn't worry too much about the process. It is all quite obvious both when you arrive at your departure port and on the return from France. The important thing is to just make sure you have your necessary documentation (passport and tickets)
and just relax and enjoy the experience.....0
