Tuesday 18 May 2021
Passengers looking to travel once COVID-related border restrictions are eased are asked to take note of the new customs requirements when importing goods from the EU as well as which agri-food products (food, animals and plant material) can be brought between France (and the rest of the EU) and the Bailiwick.
Customs requirements
- Since 1st January 2021 there have been some significant changes in the way goods are treated by Customs when they arrive from the EU. Passengers arriving from an EU country into the Bailiwick now need to be aware that certain goods must be declared to Customs on arrival and import and/or excise duty may be liable. When arriving into the Bailiwick you must tell customs about ('declare') any goods:
- where you go over your allowances
- that are commercial goods
- that are banned
- that are restricted and you do not have an authority (e.g. import licence) to import the goods
- In addition to the alcohol and tobacco allowances, if you now bring in goods worth more than £390 on a commercial air or sea service or £270 by private aircraft or private vessel, from any country other than the UK, Jersey or Isle of Man, you must declare these items to Customs and you may have to pay import duty on the full value of the item.
- Further information regarding customs requirements can be found on www.gov.gg/gba or by contacting the Guernsey Border Agency on 01481 221431 or customsandexcise@gba.gov.gg.
- Further information regarding arrivals by private vessel or private aircraft can be found here.
Agri-food products (food, animals and plant material)
- Currently there is no limit on the importation of food providing it is for personal use.
- Animals (pets) can be brought back but they must be imported under the animal import notification scheme.
- As part of the new invasive non-native species (INNS) policy, a list of species has been compiled which are not permitted to be imported into Guernsey. In conjunction with this policy, the general import licence has also been updated. Anybody looking to import an animal should familiarise themselves with these documents which can be found here. More information about this INNS policy can be found here.
- 'High risk' plants and plant material from the EU must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate which is issued by the originating country. You must notify the Animal & Plant Health Inspector (01481 221161) prior to importation. These items will be subject to documentary and identity checks on arrival in Guernsey. The complete list of 'high risk plants' and plant material can be found here but passengers are notably reminded that all plants and plant material for planting, as well as potatoes, and some seeds and logs must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
This information will apply to passengers looking to use the ferry once it recommences as well as those travelling directly to Guernsey from the EU via aircraft when these routes recommence in future.
Officers are working with the travel operators to remind passengers of these rules prior to their trip but signs and bins will also be provided at the ports so that plants and plant material that fall within these definitions that are not accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate can be voluntarily disposed of. If designated plants / plant material are not accompanied by the relevant certificate and are not voluntarily disposed of then they will be subject to seizure and destruction and must be declared to Customs at the time of arrival into the Bailiwick.
The types and volumes of agri-food products that can be imported to Guernsey from the EU are subject to change but media updates and information on the States of Guernsey website will be provided so that passengers are pre-warned and prepared.
