Crossing Dover Calais in the next few days, is anyone actually getting checked and their food confiscated? We went over in March, admittedly without the caravan, and had a fair few days of food. The car was searched but nothing was said.
Worth risking a full fridge?
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As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by Median on 24/7/2022
Crossing Dover Calais in the next few days, is anyone actually getting checked and their food confiscated?
No
Quote:
Worth risking a full fridge?
Yes
-------------
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We went over in early June via Eurotunnel. It was not busy but no checks were made, other than that the gas was turned off. Not even asked for our proof of vaccinations.
Nor coming back so we could have brought more wines! We kept to the allowance.
With the current levels of traffic I doubt any checks will occur.
Definitely worth having food and drink in case you do get held up.
At least with a motorhome or caravan you have a bit more space to store food and drink plus a loo.
We left a little water in the loo top tank and some blue in the bottom one for emergencies!
Post last edited on 24/07/2022 13:46:07
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Two years ago when the rules of POAO became effective with horror stories of food being confiscated etc., I was adamant that I would stick with the rules not to taken anything with POAO in the van, and to do a big shop once I am in France etc...
However, 2 years later, I am a lot of pragmatic and relaxed about it, as there have been many reports on this board alone about no searches being carried out.
Worst case would be for food with POAO being confiscated, which will affect the dog more than me, as the majority of food with POAO are his food! Since he is not a fussy eater, his food can easily be replaced when I go shopping in France, and I bet French dog food would be tasty!
DK
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Quote: Originally posted by amyd79 on 25/7/2022
is this a 'brexit' thing; we have always taken food into france - enough for the first couple of days and the journey down... never had an issue
Yes
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
In terms of queuing, we crossed this morning (Monday) and there was a wait at passport control of about 45 minutes because the booths were all closed. Once the staff turned up it moved quite quickly with several booths open. Unfortunately this meant that everyone arrived for check in at the same time which caused a further delay so in all it took about 90 minutes to get through to the boarding lane. Not bad for us but I can imagine how this quickly causes backlogs when it gets busy which will then take ages to clear.
Quote: Originally posted by Median on 25/7/2022
Update:
Waved through at Dover, no one even looked.
In terms of queuing, we crossed this morning (Monday) and there was a wait at passport control of about 45 minutes because the booths were all closed. Once the staff turned up it moved quite quickly with several booths open. Unfortunately this meant that everyone arrived for check in at the same time which caused a further delay so in all it took about 90 minutes to get through to the boarding lane. Not bad for us but I can imagine how this quickly causes backlogs when it gets busy which will then take ages to clear.
Which booths weren't staffed - the French ones or the UK ones?
That's the thing with random checks ... They are random!
It's probably possible to cross 3 times a year for 10 years and never be checked ... Because they are random.
The flip side is that you may randomly be checked of course.
If you are checked and found to have a banned item then they may simply confiscate your ham sandwiches ... Or they may, having found 1 item of contraband, decide to search further and more thoroughly. I can vouch for the fact that it is no fun having to completely re-pack your vehicle against the very tight timetable of the boat shortly leaving! (This was several years ago and not as a result of Brexit changes!)
I read an article recently about someone being fined a very large sum for taking a banned food item into another country - I believe it was New Zealand (?). I don't think any EU countries issue fines for that though!
Is it worth the risk? Probably ... But only you can decide that!
We have only ever been checked due to searching for unknown passengers! They looked around the caravan and said they were looking for knives.... told them they had come to the right place and showed them our kitchen knives! They just laughed and said we both know those aren't the ones we want!
We will be taking our standard supply of cheddar, bacon and our picnic for travel day ... will take the risk that even if found we will just have it removed and have to source travel day food!
Quote: Originally posted by Median on 24/7/2022
Crossing Dover Calais in the next few days, is anyone actually getting checked and their food confiscated? We went over in March, admittedly without the caravan, and had a fair few days of food. The car was searched but nothing was said.
Worth risking a full fridge?
We got back last week. Risked taking enough food for the first couple of days, which makes life easier when travelling long distances. No checks at Eurotunnel.
I think the rules primarily relate to wholesale import of banned products, not to an individual's dinner and a drop of milk for a cuppa.
Quote: Originally posted by mgbgtv8 on 26/7/2022
I have been stopped and checked both at Folkestone and Calais eurotunnel. and the fridge was opened at Folkestone, but I had nothing that was "banned"
Is it worth the risk NO.
Can you tell me which way you went after passport control at Folkestone to be checked, left or right?
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 26/7/2022
Quote: Originally posted by mgbgtv8 on 26/7/2022
I have been stopped and checked both at Folkestone and Calais eurotunnel. and the fridge was opened at Folkestone, but I had nothing that was "banned"
Is it worth the risk NO.
Can you tell me which way you went after passport control at Folkestone to be checked, left or right?
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Topic: Food. France. Again….
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