General Information

Customs

UK-based craft
Voyages totally within the EU - Since 1st January 1993, there has been no requirement to advise H M Customs of departure from the UK to an EU destination unless asked; and there is no need to fly the Q flag on return from a voyage within the EC, and no need to report to Customs on arrival, unless carrying non-EU persons or prohibited goods or animals.

Voyages outside the EU - Departure must be reported to Customs using Form C.1331 which may posted in a Customs box or delivered by hand to a Customs Officer or Customs office. It is an offence to fail to report. Part of the form is for the return journey. Where the return is from a port outside the EU, the Q flag must be flown on entering the UK's 12-mile limit and kept displayed until Customs formalities are completed.

Foreign-based craft - On arrival from abroad, the Q flag must be flown and kept in place until cleared (it must be illuminated at night). Form C.1329 must be completed and handed to the Customs Officer when he boards. Part of the form is for delivery to Customs before departure and any non-EU nationals must be included on it. 

Vessels arriving directly from an EU port - They do not need to complete form C.1332 or fly the Q flag but must report:

• prohibited or restricted goods;
• duty-free stores;
• any tax owing on the boat;
• any persons requiring Immigration clearance to land.

If the yacht has not borne VAT, then the person responsible must report by telephone or in person to the designated office, advising of their return and the goods or persons in question.

Port Health
The Humber ports do not have any problems with infectious diseases and there have been no cases of rabies in the United Kingdom for many years. The intention is to ensure this situation is maintained, therefore, any craft coming from foreign ports, including those from the European Union is required to comply with sensible laws.

Any vessel bound for Hull, Goole, Saltend or any destination west of South Killingholme coming from a foreign country or oil rig which has had a death or infectious illness on board, or which is carrying animals or birds, is obliged by law to report these facts not more than 12 hours and, where practicable, not less than 4 hours before docking, to the Hull and Goole Port Health Authority, by one of the following means:

All animals being brought in from abroad or from foreign oil rigs or ships should be kept in a locked compartment and should be restrained.

In order to keep the Humber Estuary clean, it is illegal to tip rubbish overboard while on the Humber, Ouse or Trent, or while in a marina or at a mooring. Refuse-reception facilities are available at all moorings.

Please do not use sea toilets while moored in a marina. While it is not illegal to use them while on the Humber, it is preferable for craft to be fitted with sewage tanks.

The local authority will be pleased to advise small craft on water supplies.

It is forbidden to bring certain foodstuffs into the UK from outside the European Union and other countries without permission.

Immigration
Immigration control is applied to persons on yachts and small pleasure craft, other than UK citizens and nationals of the EU who arrive at UK anchorages from outside the Common Travel Area (i.e., from ports not in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland).

Passengers who are not UK or EU nationals arriving from outside EU ports require permission to enter the UK from an Immigration Officer or Officer of HM Customs & Excise acting on behalf of the Home Office. All nationals in this category are required to have valid passports and some will require visas for entry to the UK.

Visas are obtainable from British Embassies or Consulates abroad and must be in the passport holder's possession before travel to the UK. Persons who propose to arrive in the UK on yachts and are in doubt concerning visa requirements are advised to contact the nearest British Embassy before travelling.

On arrival, those nationals noted above as requiring to enter the UK will need to obtain this permission, normally in the form of a small stamped form (IS 18) which they must retain while in the country. H M Customs can also assist in obtaining this permission; however, persons arriving in the UK on yachts and small craft who are paid members of a crew are normally exempt from visa requirements and are entitled to shore-leave unless refused permission to do so by an Immigration or Customs Officer acting on behalf of the Home Office.

Local arrangements exist for Customs Excise Officers to deputise for Immigration Officers and exercise control over persons subject to Immigration control. Further information may be obtained by telephoning the numbers listed in this guide for Customs Excise, or from H M Immigration at the address and telephone numbers shown below.

• HM Immigration Office, Unit 4, Anchor Court, Francis Street, Hull HU2 8DT
• HM Immigration Office, Humberside International Airport, Kirmington Ulceby, Lincolnshire DN39 6YH
  Tel: (01652) 688584 Fax: (01652) 688551