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BykerPete



Member Since: 02 Feb 2015
Location: Midlands
Posts: 159

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Willow Green
Taking tools into France
Hello,

Does anyone have any recent experiences of entering France in a Defender whilst carrying a couple of large bags of hand tools, jack, socket set etc.?

Just wondering if French Customs Officers have any problems with this.

Thanks,

Pete. Drink Coffee, Talk to Strangers and Take Photos.
Post #907850 14th Jun 2021 9:17pm
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Timcat



Member Since: 20 Jul 2016
Location: Malawi at the moment
Posts: 1003

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
Never had a problem, they did frown on the machete & axe but let us through..
Post #908048 15th Jun 2021 9:39pm
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Birdy



Member Since: 07 Oct 2011
Location: Côte d'Azur
Posts: 848

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
I think you'll have more of a problem actually getting across to France rather than Customs worrying about what spares and tools you're carrying!

We've been here in France since B-Day (31st December), since then it's been impossible for us to visit the kids or for them to come over to us, even now the expensive UK testing (it's free here, even for second-residence owners) and quarantine aren't really worth the faff. Even though the French-registered Mog is stuck in Norfolk and we're driving round here with a UK Defender due a service and with its MOT about to expire!

How do you plan to do it?

Peter
Post #908057 15th Jun 2021 10:40pm
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Timcat



Member Since: 20 Jul 2016
Location: Malawi at the moment
Posts: 1003

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
That’s a good point Peter’s making, a friend has only just managed to get back into France ( 2nd residence) which was particularly difficult due to vague paperwork. We’re not going to even attempt it until late July / early September.
Post #908071 16th Jun 2021 6:17am
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
Similar story here. As the incidence curve in Germany and France falls, it climb again in the UK. Foreign countries in both direction get moved from green to amber lists, and the testing and quarantine (despite full vaccination) makes in unviable to make a short trip home.
Very frustrating. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s,
Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons
Post #908073 16th Jun 2021 7:01am
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Likeomg



Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2623

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
When I travelled to Germany in January, I was actually shocked by the true reality of brexit completely searched all my luggage etc, same with every other passenger...

maybe things have calmed down now, I have a few items still in Germany I would normally have posted back but due to post fees getting crazy and dreaded vat, I will pickup myself probably in October
Post #908086 16th Jun 2021 8:02am
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BykerPete



Member Since: 02 Feb 2015
Location: Midlands
Posts: 159

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Willow Green
Update on Travel to France.
Did everything that was asked…I.e.
1. Downloaded NHS App to view and print proof of 2 vaccinations.
2. Had Antigen Test at Boots yesterday morning - result in 40 minutes - result negative. (£50)
3. Downloaded, printed and signed the Statement on my honour stuff about not having any symptoms.

At Portsmouth Ferry Terminal check in, had to show Two Vaccinations proof and Negative Antigen result. Straight through.
At UK Border Control waved straight through - nobody interested.
At French Customs and Border in Caen, showed passport together with proof of two vaccinations and negative antigen test printouts. Straight through.

So far so good. Now arrived at my house here in Brittany and all okay there apart from waist high grass to cut and lots of cobwebs inside. Keep expecting to see Miss Haversham somewhere but haven’t found her yet.

If I can help anyone feel free to PM me and I’ll be happy to help.

But….That’s only half the journey….at some point I’ll have to get back to UK, but I’m retired so in no great hurry to do so.

Thanks for all the help.

Pete. Drink Coffee, Talk to Strangers and Take Photos.
Post #908115 16th Jun 2021 10:23am
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Birdy



Member Since: 07 Oct 2011
Location: Côte d'Azur
Posts: 848

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Pete, thanks for keeping us up-to-date, with so much varying and conflicting "info" one hears it's good to hear from someone who's actually made the trip.

Let's hope we'll soon able to travel from the UK to the EU just with proof of double-vaccination, like we can throughout the Continent.

Peter
Post #908139 16th Jun 2021 12:23pm
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jpboost



Member Since: 13 Apr 2021
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 374

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
That's really helpful thank you.

I've got family down in the south of France and looking forward to taking the trip down soon.

Great to hear your real first hand experience of the situation.

look forward to hearing about the return leg of your journey!
Post #908146 16th Jun 2021 12:44pm
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BykerPete



Member Since: 02 Feb 2015
Location: Midlands
Posts: 159

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Willow Green
Returning to UK from France
Possibility of returning to UK from France might get easier soon……

https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-new...quarantine Drink Coffee, Talk to Strangers and Take Photos.
Post #908329 17th Jun 2021 3:12pm
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