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How to report your UK arrival and departure: new Government website for sailors

The UK Government, via the UK Border Force, has developed a new digital reporting service, known as ‘ single Pleasure Craft Reporting (sPCR) ’, which pleasure craft are asked to use as the preferred method when leaving or entering the UK on passage to EU countries, the Channel Islands or the rest of the world.

There has long been a requirement to notify UK Customs of your voyage plan to destinations outside the UK and arrivals into the UK, including travel to/from the EU since the UK left the EU in 2020.

From 1 January 2022, this requirement has been actively enforced using the ‘Pleasure Craft Report Template’ e-C1331 email form and C1331 postal form.

New Online Service

The new online service – www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk – which is currently in ‘beta’ mode will eventually replace its predecessors, the e-C1331 and C1331 forms. For the time being the UK Border Force will accept reporting of a voyage plan online or by completing either the e-C1331 (now renamed ‘Pleasure craft on non-UK voyages: leaving or arriving in the UK (pleasure craft report (sPCR) fallback template)’) by email, as well as submission by post of the C1331 form, but reporting via the new online service is the preferred option.

“The Cruising Association has been liaising with UK Border Force for a number of years on this project with a view to ensuring that the new system fits the needs of the cruising community,” commented Derek Lumb, President of the Cruising Association. “Together with the RYA, British Marine and other marine organisations, CA representatives have attended and been active in discussions at the General Maritime Leisure Sector Liaison Meetings in order to influence a positive outcome for cruisers.

“The change to a new online service delivers a far more accessible and user-friendly experience, making it easy to log new and alter existing passages.”

Recognising the ongoing evolution of the new online service, Lumb continued, “UK Border Force has stressed that this is not the final online version, and some changes are likely to be made in the light of experience.”

Using the Online Service

New users of the online service – www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk – will first be required to complete a ‘once only’ account registration, before being required to ‘add a pleasure craft’, and then proceeding to submit voyage plan data including:

• Boat Registration Number
• MMSI and Callsign
• AIS –an AIS transponder, not just a receiver
• Skipper’s details
• Full names, date and place of birth, passport or travel document details for all people on board
• Goods documentation
• Date and estimated departure and arrival locations and times for your voyage plan

The voyage plan must be submitted at least 2 hours but not more than 24 hours before departure.

For those concerned about giving estimates of departure and especially arrival time, the ‘beta’ version allows a two-hour range.

The Cruising Association has discussed with UK Border Force the difficulty of giving relatively precise arrival times at the end of longer passages, and the UK Border Force advice is to give your best estimate and then update your report if you believe that either your arrival place will change, or the time will be outside the range you gave.

Data can be updated online or skippers can telephone the appropriate UK Border Force Operational centre* for the area of your arrival as soon as you can reasonably do so.

Pleasure craft arriving to the UK from outside the UK (including the Channel Islands) must fly the ‘Q’ flag as soon as entering UK waters (the 12 mile limit), and unless you are told otherwise by Border Force, you should call National Yachtline on 0800 123 2012 on arrival who may give you clearance to leave, tell you to wait for a Border Force Officer or to contact one of the regional numbers below. The ‘Q’ flag must remain flying and all crew must stay on board until you have received clearance from a Border Force Officer.

For more information, and to access the online reporting service, the e-C1331 or C1331 reporting forms and links to UK Border Force documentation go to:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sailing-a-leisure-craft-to-and-from-the-uk

*Regional Border Force Operational Areas

The boundaries for the Border Force Operational Areas are approximately as follows:

North – everything north of the Wash and Aberystwyth

Central – Whitstable to the Wash

South – Eastbourne to Aberystwyth

South East – Whitstable to Eastbourne

If you do not receive clearance, you must contact the nearest Border Force office. Find contacts for your local Border Force office:

• by signing into the  online service  and using the phone contact for your region from the help page
• from marina or harbour offices or National Yachtline

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This guidance was obtained from the RYA as from 1 January 2021

For any trips we are expecting increased scrutiny and changes to procedures when visiting EU and EEA countries. We recommend you report any experiences to the RYA (email to  [email protected] )

This information, provided by the RYA, is written as a guide for a UK flagged Pleasure Vessel operated by somebody who is established (resident) in the UK. It may not be applicable to boats registered in other Flag States, those who are established elsewhere and vessels that are operated commercially.  All the yachts managed by Hamble Point Yacht Charters are UK Flagged vessels.

Update August 2022

There has been a recent update to the procedures which includes an electronic form to complete

Border Force Customs details

Ship’s Papers

When you are sailing a UK registered boat from the UK to another country, you will require papers both for the boat and for the crew on board.

There is a core set of paperwork – your ship’s papers – which, together with your passport, any other personal paperwork and any country specific documentation or publications you may be required to carry on board, should enable you to satisfy a foreign official, if required.

The following documentation should be carried:

Your Ship’s Papers should be original documents.

Registration Document

Registration of a vessel is not compulsory for a UK Citizen who keeps their boat in the UK, but it is essential if you wish to take your boat outside of UK Territorial Waters. This applies both to boats which are sailed or driven to a foreign port and to dinghies, ribs, sports boats and PWC etc. which are trailered to other countries. You should always be prepared to present the original registration document – photocopies are often not acceptable.

Carrying additional evidence of ownership such as a bill of sale is also recommended, especially if the vessel is registered on the UK Small Ship Register (SSR – Part III of the register).

Tenders should be marked T/T [name of the mother ship]. If the tender’s use extends beyond ship to shore transport, some jurisdictions may treat the tender as a pleasure craft in its own right and the registration requirement and other rules outlined here may apply to the tender independently of the mother ship.

If the owner of the vessel is not onboard, in some countries the skipper will need documentation (for example a  letter authorising use of the vessel ) to ensure the use of the vessel is not seen as illegal chartering.

Maritime Radio Licences

It is a requirement under the International Radio Regulations that all transmitting stations have a licence.

All maritime radio equipment (including VHF or VHF DSC radio, radar, EPIRB or PLB, AIS etc.) must be covered by a Ship Radio Licence and operated by (or under the direct supervision of) a holder of a maritime radio operator certificate.

Ship Radio Licence

If radio equipment is installed or used on it, a UK registered vessel must have a  Ship Radio Licence  issued by OFCOM. The licence, which details the equipment covered, must be carried onboard. A Ship Radio licence provides you with an International Call Sign and (if applicable) a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number for the vessel.

In the UK a handheld VHF can be licenced by a  Ship Portable Radio Licence  to allow the equipment to be used on more than one boat.  The Ship Portable Radio Licence is intended for use in UK territorial waters. In place of an internationally recognised call sign, the Ship Portable Radio Licence has a T (reference) number, which is not recognised internationally. The details of a Ship Portable Radio Licence are not sent to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the licence states that it, “covers the use of the radio equipment in UK territorial waters”. A Ship Portable Radio Licence is therefore not sufficient when boating outside UK territorial waters.

A handheld DSC VHF can normally only be licensed on a Ship Portable Radio Licence and cannot therefore be licensed for used abroad.

Authority to Operate Maritime Radio

The International Radio Regulations require that a maritime radio station is controlled by an operator holding a certificate issued or recognised by the government to which the station is subject. For a UK recreational boater operating a DSC VHF radio this is usually the RYA issued Short Range Certificate (SRC).

Insurance for boats is more or less compulsory nowadays and many European countries will ask for evidence of insurance cover. Some countries specify minimum levels of cover and others require a translation which your insurer should be able to provide. Be aware of the territorial limits of your cover.

Evidence of eligibility for relief from VAT and import duty

If you take your boat abroad, on your return to the UK, you may be asked to evidence that your boat is eligible for relief from VAT and import duty.

For a short trip abroad, this will usually mean being able to evidence that:

– the boat had UK domestic status when it left the UK (i.e., it was VAT paid)

– the same person is importing the boat as exported it

– the boat is returning to the UK within 3 years of its export from the UK*

– the boat has undergone no more than running repairs that did not increase its value whilst outside the UK*

Although there is no legal requirement for a UK flagged pleasure craft to keep a log of its voyages, it is good practice to do so, especially when on longer trips.  It is not unknown for foreign officials to request to see the log.

Evidence of Competence

A UK pleasure vessel (a vessel that is used for the sport/pleasure of the owner as is not operating commercially or carrying more than 12 passengers) which is either less than 24m load line length or less than 80GT is exempt from the Merchant Shipping Manning Regulations. This means that unless a UK pleasure vessel is 24m load line length or longer and 80GT or more, the UK Government does not require the skipper to have a certificate of competence or licence.

This is not necessarily the case when in the territorial or internal waters of another country. The requirements vary from country to country so you should establish what is required in advance. It is advisable to carry any certificates you hold (just in case) even if they are not a formal requirement. The International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC) is increasingly the certificate that is requested whilst cruising abroad.

Where UK certificates have been valid in the past because the UK was a Member of the EU, acceptance of UK certificates may change in 2021.

Passport (or other recognised travel document)

Every crew member on board requires a recognised travel document such as a valid passport. Check whether a visa is required or if there are any restrictions on how long you can stay in a particular country or group of countries at  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice .

The Passport must: (a) have been issued within the previous 10 years; and (b) have at least 6 months unexpired at date of entry (not Ireland).  Your Passport will be stamped to start the Schengen clock Day of arrival and departure counts in 90/180 limit

The Schengen Area

The Schengen states have a single set of common rules that govern external border checks on persons, entry requirements and the duration of short stays in the Schengen Area (comprised of 26 countries – Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland).

Third country nationals (which from 2021 will include British citizens) can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. British citizens will be able to travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism. This is a rolling 180-day period.  If you enter the dates you are thinking about being in the Schengen Area in the  calculator of travel days remaining  provided by the European Commission, you will be able to see whether your plans are possible within the 90 days in any 180-day period restriction.

British citizens will not need a visa to visit as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.

Overstaying, even inadvertently, could result in a fine or a ban on entering any of the member states of the Schengen area. It is important that you seek permission to entry the Schengen area on arrival and clearance on departure from the Schengen area to ensure that you are not considered to be in the area when you should not be or when you are not. This may could necessitate adjusting your ports of arrival and departure to ones where you can obtain the necessary clearance.

To stay for longer, to work or study, for business or for other reasons, you will need to meet the entry requirements set out by the individual country. This could mean applying for a visa and/or work permit.

We do not provide advice on immigration matters including longer stays, visas and residency. Please refer to the information for the relevant country at   https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice .

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and / or appropriate medical and repatriation insurance

Most UK Nationals may find that their EHIC is no longer valid from 1 January 2021. See  https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card  for the latest information on the validity of the EHIC.

There is discussion that the EHIC may be valid until your expiry date on your card but please check before you leave

Guidance on travel insurance can be found at  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance

When selecting medical or travel insurance for a trip which is to include boating, care is needed as many policies either limit or exclude boating from the range of activities covered by the insurance. Some policies exclude boating if this is the main purpose of the trip, which might make such a policy unsuitable for example for a yacht charter holiday. If the policy includes limits on the extent to which it covers boating, you should check that the limits are clearly defined – for example, the term “coastal” is frequently used in insurance paperwork but has no common legal definition; clarification of such a limitation, if required, should be sought from the insurer.

It is recommended that you check  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice  where information is provided about the health risks for different countries. Even within Europe additional risks such as tick-borne diseases are present and it is important to be aware of such risks and their associated prevention advice.

Entry and Exit Formalities

Ensign and Courtesy Flag

A UK flagged vessel must wear her ensign as required by the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, which includes when entering or leaving a foreign port and on demand. It is recommended that the ensign is always worn in daylight, especially when near to or in sight of land or another vessel. The  Coastal State  may also have legislation which mandates an ensign being worn at other times.

Courtesy Flag

Although a custom rather than a legal requirement, most countries expect a courtesy flag (a small version of the coastal state’s maritime ensign) to be flown by foreign flagged vessels at the  senior signalling position , acknowledging that they will respect the  Coastal State’s  jurisdiction laws and sovereignty.

The courtesy flag should be hoisted on entering another country’s territorial waters. On a single masted yacht, the correct position is as the upper most flag at the starboard crosstrees. If a motor cruiser does not have a dedicated signal halyard, a suitable prominent position should be used as a substitute.

You may cause offence in some countries if your courtesy flag is tatty, too small or not there at all.

In some instances – such as the UK – the maritime ensign is different from the national flag.

Ports of entry

Some countries specify ports of entry (ports where one may lawfully enter a country), which should be used by a vessel arriving from abroad. It is often a requirement that you proceed by the most direct route to a port of entry on entering territorial waters. A vessel arriving in a country from outside its customs territory should fly the Q flag until it has been given clearance from the authorities. Even once clearance has been given, some countries may ask to inspect the vessel’s papers periodically, for example at each port of call.

From 2021, EU countries may require UK vessels and / or UK citizens to enter and leave the EU and / or the Schengen area using specified ports of entry. Where information is obtained this will be made available to RYA members on the  country pages .

Sailing your pleasure craft to and from the UK

Following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, owners of recreational pleasure craft (non-commercial) who sail their craft to and from the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands) must notify the UK border authorities upon their first arrival into a UK port.

Notice 8 issued by the government explains the requirements for private individuals who sail their pleasure craft to and from the UK. It includes customs procedures for arriving and departing the UK and details on temporary admission (importation) for pleasure craft registered outside the UK.

The  notice can be downloaded  from the gov.uk website.

Departing the UK

Before leaving the UK (which includes going to the Channel Islands), you must advise customs of your intentions by posting form  C1331  (the address it must be posted to can be found on the form).

Arriving from outside the UK

Both non-UK flagged vessels and UK flagged vessels returning from a trip outside of UK territorial waters (12 miles from shore) must now fly the ‘Q’ flag where it can be readily seen as soon as UK waters are entered. The flag must not be taken down until you have finished reporting to the customs authorities. Failure to comply will make you liable to a penalty.

When arriving direct from outside the UK you must phone the  National Yachtline  (telephone: 0300 123 2012 open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).  Notice 8  details the information you will be expected to provide.

You will need to inform the Yachtline if any of the following apply:

• UK VAT has not been paid on the vessel
• you have on board goods which are to be treated as surplus stores as per Notice 69A.
• you have any prohibited or restricted goods
• there is any notifiable illness on board
• there are any people on board who need immigration clearance
• any repairs or modifications, other than running repairs, have been carried out since the vessel last left the UK
• you have any goods for personal use on which you need to declare and pay UK tax or duty and cannot do so via the online service.

You will need to comply with any further instructions that you are given.

You must also complete and post form  C1331 . The address to which the form must be sent can be found on the form and in Notice 8.

See Government Notice 8 for details of what goods you must declare on arrival from outside the UK which includes and animals or birds and the vessel itself if it is liable to UK VAT. Further information can be found under  Brexit – what happens next?

Customs and Immigration

Unless you are certain that you do not need permission to enter a country you should fly the  Q flag  on first entering territorial waters. The crew should normally remain on board the vessel until the skipper has completed the necessary customs and immigration formalities, when the Q flag may be taken down.

Within Europe, on a UK registered vessel, whether you need to fly the Q flag and contact customs and/or immigration will depend whether both your departure and arrival ports are within the EU and / or within the Schengen Area.

Every crew member on board requires a recognised travel document such as a valid passport.

Practices vary and could for example include prior notification of your arrival and/or purchasing a cruising permit. The arrival (and departure) process may require you to visit the offices of several different authorities; it may be necessary to use (and pay) an agent. Your stay may be limited in duration either by restrictions on the temporary admission of the vessel or on the length of time the people on board are permitted to stay in the country, so you may be required to clear out of a country as well as in.

A visa may be required; visa free travel is sometimes linked to having a return ticket (to leave the country) so you may need a visa to go to a country by boat that you have previously visited by air without one. It is advisable to check well before you intend to visit the country as visas can take time to procure. Some countries permit short visits visa free but require a visa or a residency permit for longer stays.

You should complete a form for entry into a French port which can be found by clicking this link .

Customs – EU Member States

The 27 EU Member States form a single customs area.

If you are not established in the EU, provided that your boat is not registered in the EU, and it is intended for re-export and for personal use only, you should be able to enter the EU for up to 18 months under temporary admission.

Marine Red Diesel

Marine red diesel is still on sale to leisure vessels in the UK, despite the Government’s plans to phase it out following a judgment from the European Court of Justice.

Now that Britain has left the EU, red diesel will continue to be legal for the propulsion of vessels in the UK until April 2022. However, red diesel in crafts’ engine tanks is not permitted in the EU27 and other countries.

The CA’s Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) has received information from HMRC that they agree the Istanbul Convention of 1990 allows vessels to make visits to the EU27 and elsewhere without import prohibitions or restrictions on propulsion fuel. This includes visiting craft with UK red marine diesel, or red dye traces, in the engine tank(s).

As a matter of policy, it is not standard practice for HM Government to write to other governments stating how they should implement their own laws, but it is expected of them to implement their laws in accordance with the Convention.

In addition, HMRC points out that the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) to the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement with the EU requires a number of EU directives to continue to apply in Northern Ireland, subject to regular affirmation from the Northern Ireland Assembly that the NIP should remain in place. If this affects what fuel private pleasure craft (PPC) in Northern Ireland can use, HMRC will provide an update at the appropriate time.

Travelling with Pets

Current pet passports no longer valid

https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad

WHAT CLIENTS SAY

As a family, including our 4 year old Labrador, we recently chartered a 'bareboat' yacht from Hamble Point Charters for 7 days to cruise the Solent. The company were fantastic from our first enquiry to handing back the boat. The yacht was clean and well presented. A great week and we will happily use them again!

We have just had another wonderful week on a yacht we chartered from Hamble Point Yacht Charters. We have sailed several of their boats, this time it was a lovely 35 foot Bavaria. Chartering from HPYC is always an easy choice for us: the boats are well maintained, support is excellent, and the staff are always super friendly and helpful. On top of that, Hamble Point is such an ideal starting location for sailing around the Solent.

This is truly a 5 * service. The team really looked after us both ashore on arrival and also while at sea. We were a relatively inexperienced crew but always felt the team ashore had our backs. Thoroughly recommended.

I just wanted to say Thank-you very much for the weekend charter. It was exactly what we were after (albeit cold!) plus Andy was an awesome teacher and great company. We’ll definitely be keen to book again soon!

We had a fabulous four days. Marina is ideally placed for the Solent, boat was in great condition, well equipped and a joy to sail. We were well briefed and the shore side team including the dog very friendly.

We charted one of the sailing yachts for a fantastic weekend cruise in the Solent. The boat was in superb condition and well equipped, the staff was very helpful explaining how things work on the yacht and there was also a video available with all the important information. 10/10 would recommend!

Had a fantastic week chartering Blue Otter, Alex was incredibly helpful and sent loads of information and date checking prior to booking. There was a handover video and both the handover and return were really smooth. The boat was lovely and well maintained and Lee was really helpful in recommending places to visit (and helping identify the steering issue as an autopilot takeover - doh!). Definitely will be back and would fully recommend!

Just back from a lovely week in the Solent. Great service from HPYC from first inquiry through to return handover. Very straightforward to deal with, and the yacht was in excellent condition. We've chartered from many companies in the UK and abroad and the attention to detail (and flawless inventory!) was second to none. Everything about the yacht and equipment had clearly been well looked after and was in immaculate condition. Great service, will use again.

Always very friendly service, and well-maintained yachts. Easy check-in and checkout. Will be back... 

We had a great time and were very happy with everything. Your team were genuinely friendly and were very helpful when we needed it. Is a big contrast to many charter companies I have dealt with in the past.

Watching the sun go down with a glass of bubbly on the deck of a sparkling yacht was unbelievable. What a treat, and a much needed change of scenery in these troubled times. We will be back for sure

Fab service, nothing too much trouble, including my daft questions. I'll be a repeat customer for sure!

We had a great time sailing with Lee for a few days at the beginning of September. Hamble Point Yacht Charters supplied us an impeccable 45 ft Hanse yacht, which was handled with complete mastery by Captain Lee.It was a privilege to sail with Lee, who is clearly a highly skilled professional taking great pride in his work ... but who is also a fantastic character with a great sense of humour and plenty of fun stories to keep the whole family entertained. He balances the serious side of safety and learning about sailing with a whopping dose of amusement and good cheer. We sailed the Solent in some decent seas, visited Bucklers Hard on the banks of the Beaulieu River and learned lots about British nautical history. Our boys started somewhat of a fishing trend catching bass off the back of the boat in Portsmouth and we would love to sail with Lee again in the future.The man truly knows his stuff, maintained the boat impeccably and went to every effort to ensure that we had a great time. Many thanks to “Shippers” and Hamble Point Charters. We’ll be back.

Chartered bareboats with HPYC on numerous occasions most recently in Sept 2020. Always helpful and accommodating. Highly recommend.

We had a fantastic weekend sailing on Loxley B. Boat in super condition and spotlessly clean, Alex. and the team very thorough and always on hand to answer any questions. A great experience. We will be back. Thank you!

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Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Changes to the UK’s Submit a Pleasure Craft Report service announced

• Katy Stickland
• April 10, 2024

Changes to the Submit a Pleasure Craft Report service will be coming into effect from 18 April 2024

All vessels entering and leaving the UK will be affected by the changes to the Submit a Pleasure Craft Reports. Credit: Malcolm Fairman/Alamy Stock Photo Credit: Malcolm Fairman/Alamy Stock Photo

Checks on permission to travel are being introduced to the Submit a Pleasure Craft Report (sPCR) service from 18 April 2024.

Since 01 January 2022, sailors have been legally required to report their departure and arrival in the UK to Border Force, sharing details of the vessel, the voyage, the skipper and crew and any goods onboard.

From 18 April, travel checks will be introduced for all crew, which means the details of all travel documentation, such as visas and passports, recorded on the Submit a Pleasure Craft Report will be checked to ensure everyone on board has valid permission to travel to the UK.

Advanced Passenger Information (API) should be submitted via sPCR between 24 hours and 2 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure. This replaces the need to contact Border Force or the National Yachtline directly.

On inbound voyages to the UK, skippers will receive a response confirming whether each individual on board has valid immigration permission to travel to the UK or if travel documents need to be verified.

Continues below…

Sailing in Europe after Brexit: the essential guide

Planning on sailing in Europe? The Cruising Association shares its advice on what you need to know for a stress-free…

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The Court of Justice of the European Union has fined the UK €32m for its delay in banning the use…

Can I take my part-built boat from the UK to Europe?

Can PBO reader David Bainbridge trailer his part-built boat from the UK to Greece? Alasdair Reay of HPi Verification Services,…

VAT and customs clarification for recreational boaters

Collaboration between leading leisure marine representative bodies yields positive confirmation on post-Brexit VAT interpretation

For British and Irish nationals a valid passport is their permission to travel.

Skippers are being asked to check all crew have the following documentation for entry into the UK

• a valid passport or travel document that is acceptable in the UK
• a valid visa or exemption document if they are from a country where a visa is always required

Full details of valid travel documents for entry to the UK can be found here .

An email about the new permission to travel checks has been sent to everyone who has previously used the service via the email submit.a.pleasure.craft.report.service@notifications.service.gov.uk.

A Home Office spokesperson said the Government is introducing new Universal Permission to Travel (UPT) requirements to “strengthen the border and ensure that everyone wishing to travel to the UK has permission in advance.”

“We are also introducing automated immigration checks to the Submit a Pleasure Craft Report (sPCR) service to reduce the number of physical checks that skippers, operators and agents need to conduct and to allow users to quickly confirm whether each individual onboard has valid permission to travel to the UK,” said the spokesperson.

The online form at www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk must be made within 24 hours and up to two hours before departure or arrival. It replaces the need to contact Border Force or the National Yachtline directly.

The Submit a Pleasure Craft Report applies to all boats sailing to or from the UK and the Isle of Man, and replaces the C1331 Form.

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• Boating abroad
• Entry and exit

Entry and Exit Formalities

The information provided by the RYA is written as a guide for a UK flagged Pleasure Vessel operated by somebody who is established (resident) in the UK. It may not be applicable to boats registered with other flag states, those who are established elsewhere and vessels that are operated commercially. 

If you are boating abroad and you find something is different or come across something new, please let us know by emailing [email protected] . 

Ensign, Courtesy and Q Flag

A UK flagged vessel must wear her ensign as required by the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, which includes when entering or leaving a foreign port and on demand. It is recommended that the ensign is worn at all times in daylight, especially when near to or in sight of land or another vessel. The Coastal State may also have legislation which mandates an ensign being worn at other times. 

Courtesy Flag

Although a custom rather than a legal requirement, most countries expect a courtesy flag (a small version of the coastal state’s maritime ensign) to be flown by foreign flagged vessels at the senior signalling position , acknowledging that they will respect the Coastal State ’s jurisdiction laws and sovereignty.

The courtesy flag should be hoisted on entering another country’s territorial waters. On a single masted yacht the correct position is as the upper most flag at the starboard crosstrees. If a motor cruiser does not have a dedicated signal halyard, a suitable prominent position should be used as a substitute.

You may cause offence in some countries if your courtesy flag is tatty, too small or not there at all.

In some instances – such as the UK – the maritime ensign is different from the national flag.

If you are arriving from abroad on board a boat under its own propulsion, unless you are certain that you do not need to, e.g. you do not need permission to enter a country or the country has stated otherwise, you should fly the Q flag on first entering territorial waters. The crew should normally remain on board the vessel until the skipper has completed the necessary customs and immigration formalities, when the Q flag may be taken down.

A vessel that leaves a UK port bound for another UK port and in the process leaves UK territorial waters does not need to fly the Q flag provided the vessel does not stop at a foreign port on the way.

Ports of entry

Some countries specify ports of entry (ports where one may lawfully enter a country), which should be used by a vessel arriving from abroad. It is often a requirement that you proceed by the most direct route to a port of entry on entering territorial waters. A vessel arriving in a country (from outside its customs and or immigration territory) should fly the Q flag  until it has been given clearance from the authorities. Even once clearance has been given, some countries may require you to report at each port of call or ask to inspect the vessel’s papers periodically.

As the UK is no longer an EU Member State, UK vessels and / or UK citizens may be required to enter and leave the EU and / or the Schengen area using specified ports of entry. Further information is provided further down this page under Arriving in / departing from the Schengen Area.  

Sailing your pleasure craft to and from the UK

Government guidance (formally known as Notice 8) which explains the requirements for private individuals who sail their pleasure craft to and from the UK can be found on gov.uk. It includes customs procedures for arriving and departing the UK and details on temporary admission (importation) for pleasure craft registered outside the UK. 

It is a legal requirement to report your departure from and arrival in the UK by pleasure craft. Anyone who owns, or is responsible for, a pleasure craft that sails to or from locations outside the UK and the Isle of Man is required to provide information about the vessel, the voyage, individuals on-board, any goods documentation.

Pleasure Craft Report Service (sPCR)

The  submit a Pleasure Craft Report (sPCR) service was launched on 25 July 2022. This digital pleasure craft report is a one-stop service, recording all necessary information for both Border Force and HMRC. If you have any difficulties using the sPCR the helpdesk can be contacted by emailing  [email protected] . Feedback on this service has been requested and can be submitted directly here . A link to give feedback can also be found at the top of the sPCR page on gov.uk.

Posting a paper form remains an option if submitting your report online is impractical. A pleasure craft report (sPCR) fallback template is also provided. This is an excel version that will allow data to be submitted by email to the National Yachtline and the relevant regional Border Force command - it may not be suitable for completion on mobile devices (e.g. smart phone or tablet). These forms can be downloaded at Sailing pleasure craft to and from the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .

Departing the UK

Before departing to a location outside the UK and the Isle of Man (which includes going to the Channel Islands), you must notify your intentions by completing and submitting a pleasure craft report (using the digital service or an alternative as detailed above) . 

If you are using the Pleasure Craft Report Service (sPCR) you should submit your voyage plan at least two hours before you depart, but no more than 24 hours before you depart.

You can sail outside UK territorial waters to reach another destination in the UK, without reporting your departure.

Arriving from outside the UK

You must complete the UK entry procedures and obtain clearance to enter the UK, as detailed at  gov.uk.

You must complete and submit a pleasure craft report (using the digital service or an alternative as detailed above at least two hours before you depart, but no more than 24 hours before you depart).

On entry into UK territorial waters you are required to fly the Q flag. This should remain in place until you have finished reporting your arrival in the UK - i.e. you have been given permission to enter the UK. You will need to comply with any further instructions that you are given.

If you do not receive clearance, you must contact the nearest Border Force office. Find contacts for your local Border Force office:

• By signing into the online service and using the phone contact for your region from the help page.
• From marina or harbour offices or National Yachtline (telephone: 0300 123 2012 open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 

When you arrive in GB from abroad with your boat, the default position is that import VAT and duty are payable on the current value of the boat unless you are entitled to relief. This applies to all movements of goods, including personal possessions and means of transport.

See gov.uk for details of what goods you must declare on arrival from outside the UK which includes animals or birds (see the Travelling with Pets section further down this page) and the vessel itself, if it is liable to UK import VAT and duty.

Relief from import VAT and duty may be available for boats returning to the UK after a period abroad or if you are transferring your residence to the UK. The conditions for returned goods relief and transfer of residence relief are outlined for members in the RYA VAT Guide for Boats .

Visitors bringing a boat to the UK which they intend to re-export will usually be able to enter without paying import VAT and duty if they meet the conditions for temporary admission. We recommend you consult our page on bringing your boat to the UK under Temporary Admission .

Customs and Immigration (elsewhere in the world)

Every crew member on board requires a recognised travel document such as a valid passport. 

Customs and immigration practices vary and may include prior notification of your arrival and/or purchasing a cruising permit. The arrival (and departure) process may require you to visit the offices of several different authorities; it may be necessary to use (and pay) an agent. Your stay may be limited in duration either by restrictions on the temporary admission of the vessel or on the length of time the people on board are permitted to stay in the country, so you may be required to clear out of a country as well as clearing in. 

A visa may be required; visa free travel is sometimes linked to having a return ticket (to leave the country) so you may need a visa to go to a country by boat that you have previously visited by air without one (e.g. the USA). It is advisable to check well before you intend to visit the country as visas can take time to procure. Some countries permit short visits visa free but require a visa or a residency permit for longer stays. 

The RYA is not able to and does not provide advice on immigration matters including longer stays, visas and residency. Please refer to the information for the relevant country.

New UK - EU Relationship since 2021

You should expect greater scrutiny, changes to procedures and new requirements to report on arrival and departure, when moving between the UK and the EU, EAA and/or the Schengen area by recreational boat.

Within Europe, on a UK registered vessel, whether you need to fly the Q flag and contact customs and/or immigration will usually depend on whether both your departure and arrival ports are within the EU and / or within the Schengen Area although there are some exceptions.

Immigration - Schengen Area

The Schengen Area is a group of European countries which have signed a treaty creating an area without internal border controls. The participating countries include the EU member states except Cyprus and Ireland and non-member states - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Schengen Area is comprised of 29 countries - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Schengen states have a single set of common rules (Regulation (EU) 2016/399 Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), as amended) that govern external border checks on persons, entry requirements and the duration of short stays in the Schengen Area.

In the past British citizens were entitled to free movement under Union law and were therefore only subject to minimum checks at the border. British citizens are now third country nationals and are subject to more thorough checks and restrictions.

Limited duration of stay

Third country nationals (including British citizens) do not enjoy the European Union right to free movement and can only travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This is a rolling 180-day period. If you enter the dates you are thinking about being in the Schengen Area in the  calculator of travel days remaining  provided by the European Commission, you will be able to see whether your plans are possible within the 90 days in any 180-day period restriction.

British citizens do not need a visa to visit as a tourist within the 90 days in any 180-day period restriction.  Find out when a visa is required . To stay for longer you will need to meet the entry requirements set out by the  individual country . This could mean applying for a visa and/or work permit. Find out more at  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-need-a-visa-or-permit-for-europe .

If a British citizen is authorised to stay in a Member State under a residence permit or a long-stay visa, according to Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code these authorised periods of stay do not need to be taken into account when calculating the duration of stay in permitted elsewhere in the Schengen area. British citizens may also be able to spend longer periods in the Schengen area if they are a core family member of an EU citizen. The RYA is not able to and does not provide advice on immigration matters including longer stays, visas, travelling with core family members and residency. Please refer to the information for the relevant country at  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice .

Overstaying, even inadvertently, could result in a fine or a ban on entering any of the member states of the Schengen area. It is important that you seek permission to enter the Schengen area on arrival and clearance on departure from the Schengen area to ensure that you are not considered to be in the area when you shouldn’t be, or when you aren’t. This may necessitate adjusting your ports of arrival and departure to ones where you can obtain the necessary clearance.

Arriving in / departing from the Schengen Area

Member States are required to provide a list of border crossing points to the European Commission. A consolidated list of border crossing points can be found at  https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area_en  under related documents.  If the port you intended to use is not on the list of border crossing points, you may wish to check with the relevant authorities, as there are sometimes special arrangements for pleasure craft.

Although article 11 of the Schengen Borders Code requires that the travel documents of third-country nationals are systematically stamped on entry and exit and article 5 of the Regulation states that external borders may only be crossed at border crossing points and during fixed opening hours, where the means of transport is a pleasure boat a derogation is provided in Annex VI to the Regulation. The derogation states,  “By way of derogation from Article 5, a pleasure boat coming from a third country may, exceptionally, enter a port which is not a border crossing point.” . However, the onus in on the people onboard to seek authorisation to enter the port from the port authorities. The port authorities should then notify the nearest port designated as a border crossing point of the vessel’s arrival. The pleasure boating section of the Annex also states that, “…a document containing all the technical characteristics of the vessel and the names of the persons on board shall be handed in. A copy of that document shall be given to the authorities in the ports of entry and departure. As long as the vessel remains in the territorial waters of one of the Member States, a copy of that document shall be included amongst the ship’s papers. ”

On entering the Schengen area from a non-Schengen country (or when leaving the Schengen area for a non-Schengen country), you should obtain immigration clearance via the port authorities. If your passport is stamped (which we understand may be electronically) on entry into the Schengen area you will need to ensure it is also stamped on departure otherwise  in the eyes of the immigration authorities you may never have left .

Any pointers we are able to offer for individual Schengen states can be found in the  country pages , but it is essential that you familiarise yourself in advance with what is required for your specific destination as this may vary by country and from port to port.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you enter the country you are visiting legally .

Future developments 

Two additional information systems intended to enhance security at the external Schengen border are on track to start operating in 2023. They are the Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated IT system for the registration of travellers to the Schengen Area, and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The EES and ETIAS may result in further changes to the formalities for pleasure boats crossing the external Schengen border e.g. there may be a requirement to obtain a travel authorisation in advance.

Customs - EU Member States

The 27 EU Member States form a single customs territory.  The UK is not part of this customs territory therefore when you take a boat to the EU you import it.  Import VAT and duty may be payable unless you are eligible for relief.

EU Temporary Admission

If you are not established in the EU (if that is not where your habitual residence is), provided that your boat is not registered in the EU, and it is intended for re-export and for personal use only, it should be able to enter the EU for up to 18 months under temporary admission. 

Although the Union Customs Code (UCC) suggests an oral customs declaration is required, in its FAQs on the rules for private boats the European Commission indicates that just crossing the frontier of the customs territory of the EU is generally all that is needed for a boat entering the EU under its own propulsion to be placed under temporary admission. It is recommended that you contact customs in your port of entry for clarification. The same applies in reverse on export.

It is unusual (Greece is a notable exception) for paperwork to be issued, therefore it is recommended that you retain documentation that you could use as evidence of when you entered the EU, so you can demonstrate that your boat has not overstayed, if asked.  Some EU Member States may require that the boat is placed under customs supervision if the owner leaves it in the EU unattended.

As confirmed in the European Commission’s FAQs on the rules for private boats , at the end of the period of temporary admission you can take the boat out of the EU and on return a new period of temporary admission can begin. The UCC does not specify how long the boat must leave the EU customs territory for and it doesn’t indicate whether it is sufficient to simply sail beyond territorial waters (which are part of the EU customs territory) or if you must visit another country. Such decisions are therefore made at the national or local level.

EU Free Circulation

If you are established in the EU (if that is where your habitual residence is), the goods you own (the boat) must be in free circulation, to be allowed to move freely throughout the EU customs area. In customs terms it has the status of Union goods (Union status). 

If your boat had Union status and was lying in the EU when the Brexit Transition Period ended (2300 UTC on 31 December 2020), it should retain that Union status until such time as it leaves the customs territory of the Union (which includes territorial waters).

You do not need to be established in the EU for your boat to have Union status but if you are established in the EU then (with very few exceptions) if you are using a boat it must have Union status. 

A boat which has Union status may move, without being subject to a customs procedure, from one point to another within the customs territory of the Union, and temporarily out of that territory by sea without alteration of its customs status provided that its Union status is proven. 

If you are entering the EU with a boat which had Union status when it left the EU, you may be eligible for returned goods relief (RGR). This is explained further in the RYA VAT Guide for Boats .  If you are entering the EU with a boat which is eligible for RGR, in general the boat is deemed released for free circulation by the act of crossing the frontier of the EU customs territory (i.e. by entering territorial waters).

Evidence of Union Status

The Union Customs Code Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (Article 199) details means of proving the customs status of Union goods proof of Union status, which might include the invoice or a T2L. Whilst the UK was a member of the EU, it was possible to obtain a retrospective T2L from HMRC. According to the European Commission documentation such as a T2L or a customs opinion letter, issued by the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period, is no longer valid in the EU. The European Commission advised that "for a boat lying in the EU at the end of the transition period, the person concerned needs to submit a new request to obtain a proof of Union status to one of the Customs authorities in the EU". 

Travelling towing a boat

Travelling to the uk towing a boat (for non-commercial purposes).

If you are visiting the UK see our page on  visiting the UK  for information on arriving in the UK towing a boat. 

If you are a UK resident or own a UK registered boat, providing the boat is subject to a relief from import vat and duty at the time of import and providing the owner is accompanying it, the owner can make a declaration by conduct.  For RoRo ports, this is the act of driving the vehicle towing the boat off the ferry.

If you are a UK resident or own a UK registered boat and the boat is not eligible for relief from import VAT and duty the owner will need to make a customs declaration.  RYA Members will find further information on the reliefs that might be applicable and how to make a customs declaration in the RYA VAT Guide for Boats .

Travelling abroad towing a boat (for non-commercial purposes)

Don't forget that GB stickers are no longer valid and have been replaced by UK stickers. For a more detailed explanation see  https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/flags-symbols-and-identifiers  

If your boat is entering the EU as returned goods, the act of crossing the border is deemed to be a customs declaration and the boat is deemed to be declared for release for free circulation. You should be prepared to demonstrate to customs that the boat is eligible for returned goods relief (RGR). This is explained further in the RYA VAT Guide for Boats .

Many boat owners will be relying on temporary admission (Explained above) to import their boat into the EU without paying import tax and duty. 

If you are towing a boat at the customs border point you should make it clear to the customs official of the country you are entering that you are temporarily importing the boat i.e. you should declare the boat for temporary admission. You may be asked for an inventory of the goods you are temporarily importing (which might include, as applicable, the make, model, engine number, registration details) together with a written undertaking to re-export.

We recommend you also complete and have with you the Annex 71-01 of the UCC Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 form  published in. The European Commission has advised that where a customs declaration is made orally, this form must be presented to customs.

If you enter the EU with the boat under temporary admission you are undertaking to re-export the boat when you leave instead of paying import duty and tax. You may therefore need to show a return ticket to back up that intention and you should notify customs if you need to leave the EU without the boat. The boat must leave the EU in the same condition as it arrived in although repairs and maintenance to maintain the boat or to ensure compliance with technical requirements for its use are allowed. 

If you tow a boat to the EU for private use and you are told that Annex 71-01 of the UCC Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 isn’t sufficient or you should have a Carnet, please contact [email protected] . In particular we are interested in any information you have which indicates the legislative basis under which customs has indicated a Carnet is required. 

Additional information for RYA Members:  

Information about Carnets and why we believe they are not necessary for a boat taken abroad for private use.

The RYA Guide on Trailing and Roof Racking the Rules and Regulations  provides information on the regulations for towing in the UK. 

Guidance on bringing food or other plant or animal products into the UK for personal use can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/personal-food-plant-and-animal-product-imports . Similar information for the EU, can be found at https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/meat-dairy-animal/index_en.htm .  Personal imports into the EU of UK meat, milk and products containing them has been banned since the UK ceased to be treated as an EU Member State as we are now a third country to the EU. Union law prohibits the introduction into the EU of certain products of animal origin where they form part of travellers' luggage. The following information is also available on the European Commission website - https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animalproducts/personal_imports_en . This refers to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 of 10 October 2019 concerning certain categories of animals and goods exempted from official controls at border control posts, specific controls on passengers’ personal luggage and on small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market. Article 6 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 which is entitled: Products of animal origin and composite products on board means of transport operating internationally which are not unloaded and are intended for consumption by the crew and passengers states that: 1. Products of animal origin and composite products are exempted from official controls at border control posts provided that: (a) they are intended for consumption by the crew and passengers on board means of transport operating internationally; and (b) they are not unloaded on Union territory. This would suggest that provided food is not actually landed in the EU it will not form part of traveller’s luggage and it will be fine to have food produced in GB on board. It is also likely that checks will only be undertaken at the border, if at all.

Northern Ireland

If you are arriving in NI from GB or another non-EU port you should be aware that the NI Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) classifies food waste from private boats together with food waste from planes and ships as International Catering Waste (ICW). Food and drink is not considered to be ICW until it is no longer intended for human consumption. There are specific disposal instructions for ICW and bins that help ICW must be disinfected after the ICW has been disposed of. Check with the marina before disposing of food waste from outside NI and the EU ashore.

Travelling with Pets

Great britain.

A pet can only arrive in Great Britain (GB) on a private boat if it is arriving from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. Otherwise your pet must enter the UK using an approved transport company and route.

If you are leaving Great Britain with your pet you should ensure that it is correctly prepared in accordance with the rules of the destination country.

Details of approved routes and how to prepare your pet can be found at:  https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain .  

Under the Northern Ireland (NI) Protocol the EU Pet Travel Regulation continues to apply to travel between NI, EU Member States and Third Countries. This should have resulted in changes to how you prepare your pet for travel from GB to Northern Ireland and a requirement for pets to arrive through a designated travellers’ point of entry (TPE). However, the introduction of routine checks on the non-commercial movement of pets from GB to NI are delayed indefinitely. Further information can be found on the DAERA website. 

Information published by the (NI) Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on travelling with pets including how to prepare your pet for travel .

If you are leaving NI with your pet you should ensure that it is correctly prepared in accordance with the rules of the destination country. 

Republic of Ireland

Pets arriving in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) need to enter through a designated travellers’ point of entry (TPE). You must also give advanced notice of your intention to arrive on a private means of transport with a pet. 

Information published by the (ROI) Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on travelling with pets including how to prepare your pet for travel . 

If you are leaving the ROI with your pet you should ensure that it is correctly prepared in accordance with the rules of the destination country.

The Channel Islands

Information on arriving in the Bailiwick of Guernsey with a pet

Information on arriving in Jersey with a pet

The Isle of Man

Information on travelling to the Isle of Man with pets

European Union

Pets need to enter the EU through a travellers’ point of entry (TPE)

EU customs and tax allowances:  https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/index_en.htm 

Temporary Importation for non-EU vessels:  https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/fa095d6b-45dd-4c7a-94c7-bad21d0473a9_en?filename=rules_for_private_boats-faq_en.pdf

MSN 1799 Rabies - carriage of animals on ships:   https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1799-rabies-carriage-of-animals-on-ships

Healthcare (visiting EU and EFTA citizens):  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-for-eu-and-efta-citizens-visiting-the-uk

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Sailing & Pleasure craft to and from the UK

Requirements from 01 January 2022

Anyone who owns, or is responsible for, a pleasure craft (such as a yacht) that sails to or from locations outside the UK and the Isle of Man is required to provide information for customs purposes about:

• individuals on board
• goods documentation

Reporting requirements

As the UK is no longer part of the EU single market, pleasure craft owners now need to report in line with the ‘Rest of World’ requirements. From 1 January 2022, all pleasure craft arriving in and departing from the UK and the Isle of Man (including those arriving in and departing from EU countries) must report in accordance with the requirements published in  Notice 8: sailing your pleasure craft to and from the UK .  

The current C1331 (PDF version) format has been updated. The new e-C1331 is an excel template that will allow data to be submitted via email to the  National Yachtline  and the relevant regional Border Force command. Excel e-C1331Template

Users of the e-C1331 version can use the links and the guidance within the template to complete and submit the form without posting it.

The previous PDF version can be downloaded and posted if required. The preference is for the new e-C1331 template to be used for reporting pleasure craft details to HMRC and Border Force.

If you prefer to post the pdf version of the form, the address is: Yacht Reports, Freight Clearance Centre, Lord Warden Square, Western Docks, Dover, Kent, CT17 9DN. e-C1331 PDF

If you are arriving from outside the UK (and this includes the Channel Islands) you must fly the ‘Q’ flag as soon as you enter UK waters (the 12 mile limit).

Do not take down the flag until you have finished reporting to the customs authorities. If you do not comply you will be liable to a penalty.

If you are arriving from an EU member state into Northern Ireland, there is no need to fly the ‘Q’ flag.

Posted: January 10th 2022

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CA House, 1 Northey Stree, Limehouse Basin, London E14 8BT

UK Government launches new online platform for pleasure craft to register arrival and departure to and from the UK

The UK Government, via the UK Border Force, has developed a new digital reporting service, known as ‘single Pleasure Craft Reporting (sPCR)’ , which pleasure craft are asked to use as the preferred method when leaving or entering the UK on passage to EU countries, the Channel Islands or the rest of the world.

There has long been a requirement to notify UK Customs of your voyage plan to destinations outside the UK and arrivals into the UK, including travel to/from the EU since the UK left the EU in 2020. From 1 January 2022, this requirement has been actively enforced using the ‘Pleasure Craft Report Template’ e-C1331 email form and C1331 postal form.

New Online Service

The new online service - www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk – which is currently in ‘beta’ mode will eventually replace its predecessors, the e-C1331 and C1331 forms. For the time being the UK Border Force will accept reporting of a voyage plan online or by completing either the e-C1331 (now renamed ‘Pleasure craft on non-UK voyages: leaving or arriving in the UK (pleasure craft report (sPCR) fallback template)’) by email, as well as submission by post of the C1331 form, but reporting via the new online service is the preferred option.

"The Cruising Association has been liaising with UK Border Force for a number of years on this project with a view to ensuring that the new system fits the needs of the cruising community," commented Derek Lumb, President of the Cruising Association. "Together with the RYA, British Marine and other marine organisations, CA representatives have attended and been active in discussions at the General Maritime Leisure Sector Liaison Meetings in order to influence a positive outcome for cruisers.

"The change to a new online service delivers a far more accessible and user-friendly experience, making it easy to log new and alter existing passages."

Recognising the ongoing evolution of the new online service, Lumb continued, "UK Border Force has stressed that this is not the final online version, and some changes are likely to be made in the light of experience."

Using the Online Service

New users of the online service - www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk - will first be required to complete a ‘once only’ account registration, before being required to ‘add a pleasure craft’, and then proceeding to submit voyage plan data including:

• Boat Registration Number
• MMSI and Callsign
• AIS –an AIS transponder, not just a receiver
• Skipper's details
• Full names, date and place of birth, passport or travel document details for all people on board
• Goods documentation
• Date and estimated departure and arrival locations and times for your voyage plan

The voyage plan must be submitted at least 2 hours but not more than 24 hours before departure.

For those concerned about giving estimates of departure and especially arrival time, the ‘beta’ version allows a two-hour range. The Cruising Association has discussed with UK Border Force the difficulty of giving relatively precise arrival times at the end of longer passages, and the UK Border Force advice is to give your best estimate and then update your report if you believe that either your arrival place will change, or the time will be outside the range you gave. Data can be updated online or skippers can telephone the appropriate UK Border Force Operational centre* for the area of your arrival as soon as you can reasonably do so.

Pleasure craft arriving to the UK from outside the UK (including the Channel Islands) must fly the ‘Q’ flag as soon as entering UK waters (the 12 mile limit), and unless you are told otherwise by Border Force, you should call National Yachtline on 0800 123 2012 on arrival who may give you clearance to leave, tell you to wait for a Border Force Officer or to contact one of the regional numbers below. The ‘Q’ flag must remain flying and all crew must stay on board until you have received clearance from a Border Force Officer.

More Information

For more information, and to access the online reporting service, the e-C1331 or C1331 reporting forms and links to UK Border Force documentation go to the UK Government Guidance: Sailing pleasure craft to and from the UK .

Members of the Cruising Association can access a detailed explanation of how to use the new single Pleasure Craft Reporting (sPCR) service by logging into their web account and going to this members' only page .

*Regional Border Force Operational Areas

The boundaries for the Border Force Operational Areas are approximately as follows: North - everything north of the Wash and Aberystwyth / Tel: +44 (0)300 106 5725 Central - Whitstable to the Wash / Tel: +44 (0)300 072 4322 South - Eastbourne to Aberystwyth / Tel: +44 (0)1293 501266 South East - Whitstable to Eastbourne / Tel: +44 (0)130 329 9157

29 July 2022

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Enter UK with sailboat after Brexit

June 24-27, 2021.

Our process to enter UK with our sailboat included both Brexit and Covid-19 – procedures.  We sailed to UK the summer 2021 and this was first summer after UK officially left EU. We took information from Noonsite about how the process would be. Since things might change over time, it is hard to write something here that will be valid in the future. Our best tip is to look at a site like Noonsite or contact authorities. But we will still summarize how our entry process looked like. 

We sailed during the pandemic and if we stayed 10 days or more on international waters we didn’t need to take a test or do quarantine. We made sure that our crossing from Azores to UK took more than 10 days. Before we left the Azores we had sent an e-mail to authorities in Wales to confirm this and showed this e-mail to Border Force when we arrived.

Regarding Brexit, before leaving Azores we didn’t contact any authorities. The first contact with authorities we did when we had cellphone reception again after the Azores/UK crossing. So just outside Milford Haven. We also hoisted the Q flag (Yellow Flag) when we entered UK waters. You also have to sail to a Port of Entry as your first stop, we sailed to Milford Haven which is a Port of Entry in Wales. All Port of Entries are listed on Noonsite.

We called the National Yachtline. They wanted us to fill out the C1331 form (see the Noonsite link above, and if it is not listed there, there probably is a digital version instead). We also read on Noonsite that the National Yachtline should arrange a meeting with the Border Force for us. But the guy we talked to said we didn’t need to have Border Force visiting us, but everywhere we had read about it said we needed to have them visit us and check the boat and our papers.

We tried calling National Yachtline again, and they said same thing again. Fill out the form and you don’t need to be visited. We were a bit confused so we called the Border Force office and they confirmed what we have read, in order for us to enter the country officially they had to visit our boat. But they had to get the order from the National Yachtline.

So, once more we called the National Yachtline and said we had talked to Border Force and wanted them to arrange for Border Force to visit our boat in the marina. The guy said no (we talked to the same guy every time, probably new at the job or something), he still said we didn’t need to have Border Force visiting us.

We called up Border Force again and said that National Yachtline didn’t want to arrange for Border Force to visit our boat. In the end Border Force called up the National Yachtline to tell them to arrange for Border Force to visit us. National Yachtline called us (another person this time), asked all questions again and finally arranged for Border Force to visit us. Don’t you just love bureaucracy?

The Border Force arrived to our boat, checked the inside and looked at our papers and with that (and the C1331 form we later posted) we finally could take down the Q-flag and had officially entered UK.

Hopefully with time the process of entering and leaving UK will be easier. Brexit was quite new when we entered and new for all the people working with people entering/leaving.  

In Milford Haven we met up with Sanuti, who arrived to Milford Haven a couple of days before us. We walked around in Milford Haven, visited a museum about town. We took the train to a nearby city Haverfordwest, enjoyed an afternoon tea and watched the European Championship game between Wales and Denmark at a local bar we found. 

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More people now take an inclusive approach to who can call themselves British

• Publishing date: 3 September 2024

As Britain has become a more diverse society, people’s understanding of what it means to be British, an identity acknowledged by almost two-thirds of the population (64%), has shifted. 

The latest chapter of the 41st British Social Attitudes (BSA) report, published today by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), finds that over the last decade, there has been a sharp fall in the proportion who believe someone’s family background is important to them being ‘truly British’.

The proportion who think it is important that someone was born in Britain has fallen from 74% in 2013 to 55% today. Similarly, those who believe it is important to have British ancestry has dropped from 51% to 39%.

In contrast, as many as 86% believe it is important to ‘respect British political institutions and laws’, similar to the 85% who expressed that view in 2013.

Overall, two-thirds (68%) could be classified as primarily having a ‘civic’, inclusive understanding of British identity, while just under one in five (19%) think of Britishness primarily in ‘ethnic’, exclusive terms that focus on birth and ancestry.

However, these figures vary according to people’s demographic background: 

• Those aged 65 and over (26%) are nearly twice as likely as those aged less than 35 (14%) to have a primarily ethnic conception of British identity.
• Similarly, those with no educational qualifications (27%) are more than twice as likely as graduates (11%) to have an ethnic conception of British identity. 
• Those who voted Leave in the 2016 EU referendum (27%) were also twice as likely as those who voted Remain (13%) to have a primarily ethnic view of British identity.

Fall in National Pride

Over the last decade, there has been a sharp fall in the proportion who take pride in Britain’s achievements:

• Only 64% say they are proud of Britain’s history, down from 86% in 2013.
• Just 53% take pride in how Britain’s democracy works, compared with 69% in 2013.
• While 44% are proud of Britain’s economic achievements, the figure was 57% in 2013.

However, most people still take pride in the country’s cultural and sporting achievements. 79% say they are proud of Britain’s achievements in arts and literature, while 77% say the same of the country’s sporting achievements. 

Those with a civic understanding of what it means to be British (84%) are more likely than those with an ethnic one (74%) to express pride in Britain’s arts and literature. Conversely, they are less likely to be proud of Britain’s history (65% compared with 74%). Gillian Prior, Deputy Chief Executive at the National Centre for Social Research, says: “Our latest report finds Britain has become more inclusive in its attitudes towards what it means to be British. These research findings show that whilst we are less likely to take pride in British history and more critical about its politics, there is still a great deal of national pride in the country’s cultural and sporting achievements. This change in attitudes may have been influenced by the increased diversity and shared citizenship within Britain, presenting a portrait of a nation redefining itself.”  

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