Cowes Port Handbook 2014-2015 April 2014 | Page 43

COWES PORT HANDBOOK 2014 - 2015

Border Force Customs & Immigration
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Anyone who owns, or is responsible for a leisure craft (such as a yacht)
that sails to or from locations outside the UK is required to provide vessel
and goods documentation. For Customs purposes, the Channel Islands are
treated as being outside the UK and the European Community.
Arriving from another EU country:
• If you are arriving directly from another EU Member State there is
no need to fly the ‘Q’ flag.
• If you are arriving from another EU Member State, you only need
to contact the Border Force if you have goods to declare or if
anyone onboard is not an EU national.
• Public Notice 8 (available from www.hmrc.gov.uk) details goods to
be declared when arriving from another EU Member State.
• If anyone on board is not an EU national they must get immigration
clearance to enter the UK.
• If you have goods to declare or anyone on board requires immigration
clearance, you must phone the National Yachtline on 0845 723 1110.
Arriving from outside the EU (including the Channel Islands):
• If you are arriving from outside the EU (and this includes the Channel
Islands) you must fly the ‘Q’ flag, where it can be readily seen, as soon
as you enter UK waters (the 12 mile limit). Do not take down the flag
until you have finished reporting to the Border Force. Failure to comply
will make you liable to a penalty.
• If you are arriving from outside the EU (including the Channel Islands)
you must contact the Border Force via the National Yachtline on
0845 723 1110.
• Public Notice 8 (available from www.hmrc.gov.uk) details what should be
notified to the Border Force when arriving from outside the EU
(including the Channel Islands).
• If anyone on board is not an EU national they must get immigration
clearance to enter the UK (excluding arrivals from the Channel Islands
and Isle of Man).
The National Yachtline will ask you a number of questions about your
journey and who is on board your boat. You should have the documents
for the vessel and crew ready. These include:
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Vessel registration papers
Passports
Clearance document from your last port of call
VAT status or receipt
Customs declaration (C1331) (available from www.gov.uk)
if you’re returning back to the UK.

Border Force is a Law Enforcement Command within the Home Office.
For more information see www.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
COWES.co.uk

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