This flight is all about “customs”: the mandatory paperwork to get back off the islands.

Actually, our preference is to fly directly to EHMZ because then all documents only need to be submitted 2 hours(!) in advance. Useful in questionable weather.

Our next destination is LFEA, Belle Ile. So we do have to go through French customs.

In France, customs expects your arrival on time at the specified airport according to your declaration.

How did we work?

1) of course, the 2-year ETA must be in order.

2) first completed the GAR online for Alderney (this must be in order at least 2 h before departure)

https://www.submit-general-aviation-report.service.gov.uk/welcome/index

3) send a mail with all the details to the French customs who will be waiting for you at the airport of arrival. For France, I have not found a standard form.

For Saint Brieuc Armor, this email address was:

bse-saint-brieuc@douane.finances.gouv.fr

These mail addresses can be found in the AIP by airport.

Note: The mail to French customs must be sent at least 24h in advance for arrival on weekdays, and 48h in advance for weekend days.

Response to mail can take a long time. In our case, sent in the morning and only received a reply around 5 pm.

Because of potentially questionable weather, we chose the closest airport, on the itinerary.

We were 15 minutes ahead of schedule and customs was already there.

Note: There is free air traffic between Alderney and Guernsey (only limited flight plan required). Flights from these two islands to Jersey, Isle of Wight or UK always require a completed GAR! (See link above)

Interested in going to UK sometime but unsure about the documents? We are happy to help you!

Het bericht Customs: tips & tricks verscheen eerst op Cessna.Rent.