New Red Tape in Gibraltar

[barnakiel]

Hi,

New requirements in Gibraltar:

Gibraltar: Pre-Arrival Customs Notification Now Required — Noonsite

Cheers,
b.

[Nicholson58]

How are you supposed to E-Anything from the middle of the Atlantic?

I followed the links and in some places it looks like this is a requirement. In other places the word 'may' is used. Electronic could be useful but it may not always be possible. In further reading, it looks like this is a convenience primarily for commercial opperators.

In order to facilitate clearance, individuals who sail to Gibraltar may provide information on Crew, Passengers and Stores by way of an e-declaration before the estimated time of arrival (ETA) of the vessel in Gibraltar. This is in line with international conventions and best practice.

Entering Gibraltar By Sea
All Yachts and Commercial vessels coming alongside at Gibraltar require clearance from by Port, Customs and Immigration, usually handled by the vessel's Agents. For vessels not requiring Agents, particularly Yachts calling at Gibraltar's Marinas, clearance is handled by the marina operator on behalf of the Official bodies. Any cargo or other items intended for Gibraltar must be declared on arrival. However, all the above official bodies reserve the right to verify vessels' declarations on-site.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

How are you supposed to E-Anything from the middle of the Atlantic?

You submit it before you leave your side of the Atlantic. Just like every other country that requires or likes pre warning of arrival.

It isn't difficult.

[barnakiel]

As per Mark's response. One does it prior to departing from their last port. Same like when going to Australia, etc..

Nothing difficult just tape where there used to be no tape. Sad.

b.

[jstevens]

It would seem this is the opposite of red tape, but an attempt to expedite processing into the port. The language is, "we recommend ..." and " individuals who sail to Gibraltar may provide...". The implication is that none of this is mandatory, but a means to expedite the processing, especially for vessels such as cruise ships or freighters. I'm not sure it has much applicability to a cruiser. It would be interesting to hear from any cruiser who put into Gib without doing the pre-arrival notification.
One area for cruisers where it might be helpful would be getting a Pratique for a non-EU vessel as a means of restarting the EU VAT timetable. Although that was a iffy means of dealing with the VAT issue when I was in GIB in 2006, I did go to the Port Authority (not customs) and get the document for my vessel. I suspect this pre-arrival registration would make that procedure go more easily today (although it wasn't that difficult in 2006). In 2-1/2 years in EU waters I was never challenged on the VAT issue and thus never learned if the Gib Pratique was of any value.

John