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 New Posts  St Malo Bait Issues
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Karlos
Posts: 13971
Karlos
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #34 3 Jul 2026 at 2.31pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #33
Brexit.
Used AI to save me typing it all out (copy/paste instead)

"Since the UK left the EU, it's classed as a "third country," and the EU applies strict sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on animal by-products entering the bloc — the same category as meat, dairy, and other food imports. Most boilies, pellets, and groundbaits contain animal by-products, which is why they get caught by these rules. Carpsocial

Bait with animal by-products (fishmeal, egg, milk protein, blood products — i.e. most boilies) technically requires a veterinary health certificate and a formal declaration at a recognised Border Control Post, and is classified as "high risk." That's not realistically achievable for an individual angler — certification has to be per-consignment, tested and signed off by a DEFRA vet, and you need to register as an authorised EU exporter. So in practice this bait just isn't legally takeable.

Particle baits without animal by-products (hemp, etc.) are generally allowed but restricted to around 2kg, based on guidance anglers have gotten from bait manufacturers and APHA.

The legal basis is the same general EU rule that stops you bringing meat, dairy, cheese, etc. into France for personal food consumption — bait just falls under the identical animal by-products regime rather than a fishing-specific rule."
Cypry1994
Posts: 86
Cypry1994
   Old Thread  #33 3 Jul 2026 at 1.42pm  0  Login    Register
out of curiosity, why aren't you allowed to take bait to france?
cliff
Posts: 547
cliff
   Old Thread  #32 3 Jul 2026 at 12.36pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
Went through St Malo 2 weeks ago... We got pulled but we didn't carry anything over with us.
They can spot us a mile away.
There used to be loads of anglers on that route but there was only 1 other group on our trip and they, like us, will not be using it again.
scozza
Posts: 18381
   Old Thread  #31 10 Jun 2026 at 7.53pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #29
Similar to me, I sat there thinking, if I was gonna smuggle owt it would be this, never saw any security and that was Saturday morning

It’s nailed on that some **** is confiscating it there and flogging it on

You could always write or email them, tell them it’s bird food, they might bust the ****s. The more who do it the quicker it may happen
roosterbooster
Posts: 531
roosterbooster
   Old Thread  #30 7 Jun 2026 at 5.03pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #29
tunnel is sound most of the time
Nick
Posts: 7150
Nick
   Old Thread  #29 7 Jun 2026 at 3.08pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #28
if its any help - we passed through Le tunnel (Calais) with no issues.

Plenty of carp vans also going through - also no stops....

vossy1
Posts: 8835
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #28 27 May 2026 at 2.17pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #26


@roosterbooster ...sods law!
roosterbooster
Posts: 531
roosterbooster
   Old Thread  #27 26 May 2026 at 10.43pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #25
few years ago yes but always go plain clothed now, but they still seem to get me, made it through all the customs this year but then the police were waiting in the layby on the right hand side as you leave the last passport check , before you hit the public road 3 police cars , wanting to look in the back , its all luck of the draw tho and still chance it ,
BRB
Posts: 1423
BRB
   Old Thread  #26 26 May 2026 at 8.31pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #25
Non of those lol.
vossy1
Posts: 8835
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #25 26 May 2026 at 12.54pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #24
Is it obvious your a fisherman though ? Camo, carp stickers, gear on view in car, holdall on roof etc etc....obv target.
BRB
Posts: 1423
BRB
   Old Thread  #24 25 May 2026 at 7.32pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #23
Fascinating, been through St Malo loads of times and never had a problem.
roosterbooster
Posts: 531
roosterbooster
   Old Thread  #23 25 May 2026 at 6.02pm  0  Login    Register
yes ST Malo has always been bad for confiscation , they search every carp angler now, iv been ST Malo 5 times in the last few years and each and every time they search for bait avoid "if" you can
vossy1
Posts: 8835
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #22 8 May 2026 at 4.59pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #20
See here

LINKY POO™ https://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=446767
CarpCodger71
Posts: 2746
CarpCodger71
   Old Thread  #21 8 May 2026 at 4.31pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #20
European exit entry system
scar
Posts: 6091
   Old Thread  #20 8 May 2026 at 4.16pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #19
What's not in operation?
vossy1
Posts: 8835
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #19 6 May 2026 at 9.55pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #18
Malo, post 7

Edit, in another thread on EES it says not in operation at St Malo & Dieppe.
scar
Posts: 6091
   Old Thread  #18 6 May 2026 at 8.19pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #17
Which port ?
Bacardiblue
Posts: 1622
Bacardiblue
   Old Thread  #17 6 May 2026 at 7.18pm  2  Login    Register
Came through on saterday said bonjour to the security person asked if I had bait I said no he said OK and waved us on
vossy1
Posts: 8835
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #16 2 May 2026 at 3.21pm  1  Login    Register
I think you can attract the wrong sort of attention to customs, like wearing full camo or fishing related clothes, something I've never done, but you see it, espesh on the ferries, little gaggles of like minded people, nowt wrong with it but it draws attention.
Singlebleep
Posts: 2349
Singlebleep
Site deviant...
   Old Thread  #15 2 May 2026 at 1.07pm  0  Login    Register
Last 4 years has been fine, last time through was Sept 2025 with no issues.
carpcorner
Posts: 84
carpcorner
   Old Thread  #14 1 May 2026 at 7.24pm  0  Login    Register
Anyone had any recent experience with bait entering via Caen?
Hitman
Posts: 9144
Hitman
   Old Thread  #13 30 Apr 2026 at 1.47pm  0  Login    Register
Never had issues at the tunnel even going through the scanner

Their more interested in explosives
nickyp
Posts: 421
nickyp
   Old Thread  #12 30 Apr 2026 at 10.42am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #11
No issues at the tunnel. Just make sure its buried and not on show.
Nick
Posts: 7150
Nick
   Old Thread  #11 30 Apr 2026 at 10.24am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #10
Not st malo but anyone had any issues with bait going through the tunnel?
Im off in 4 weeks.....
carpcorner
Posts: 84
carpcorner
   Old Thread  #10 26 Apr 2026 at 1.53pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #7
Hopefully you get a minute to give some up to date information
Hitman
Posts: 9144
Hitman
   Old Thread  #9 26 Apr 2026 at 10.50am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #7
Would be easier to hide them in little bags rather than pop up tubs Ÿ‘

Was it always like this or since brexit ?
scar
Posts: 6091
   Old Thread  #8 25 Apr 2026 at 4.24pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #7
Apparently, they even took hookbaits.
I would just bury them and say I had none.
Bacardiblue
Posts: 1622
Bacardiblue
   Old Thread  #7 25 Apr 2026 at 3.56pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #6
I'm doing st Malo on Friday will let you know what happens as taking pop ups with me.
Singlebleep
Posts: 2349
Singlebleep
Site deviant...
   Old Thread  #6 24 Apr 2026 at 2.15pm  0  Login    Register
I believe that St Malo is a custom training facility where custom officers go for hands on training. Maybe a case of grandstanding for the trainees. I've heard constant reports of St Malo and bait problems. We avoid it like the plague and use Le Havre, Caen or Roscoff if we are coming in via that area.
phil090781
Posts: 2318
   Old Thread  #5 24 Apr 2026 at 1.10pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #4
This would actually make a lot of sense. You could easily get a couple of hundred kilos over a few days I imagine.
Karlos
Posts: 13971
Karlos
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #4 23 Apr 2026 at 5.22pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #3
Yes, I've heard of this a couple times before...it was even suggested maybe someone in customs over there was a carp angler (and they get their bait for 'free'!)
scar
Posts: 6091
   Old Thread  #3 23 Apr 2026 at 12.23pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #2
It is always that Port that I hear of problems.
carpcorner
Posts: 84
carpcorner
   Old Thread  #2 22 Apr 2026 at 3.43pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
Thanks for the heads up. Anyone else had any recent usage of this port, positive or negative re bait?
scar
Posts: 6091
   Old Thread  #1 20 Apr 2026 at 4.05pm  0  Login    Register
Don't shoot the messenger, I know it's illegal.

I have just heard that a party of Anglers heading to a commercial fishery in France got stopped at St Malo by customs and had their bait openly on show, they were given a choice of handing over the bait and a 500 euro fine or, keep the bait and be on the next ferry back.

The main reason I will never use that route and take my chances elsewhere.
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