TLDR; nothing to worry about, have a great trip if you go!
So, I got all my papers in order (letter from the clinic, confirmation from the French Embassy I am permitted to travel, medication in original container with label and copy of original prescription) in preparation for any questions.. I was taking the ferry from Portsmouth rather than flying. No issues/questions at all on the way out, nor any opportunity to "declare" if I needed to.
On the way back during the search before boarding in France however the officer asked me if I had anything in the car he needed to know about, so I said I have some controlled medication in my car, specifically medical cannabis, expecting him to ask to see my papers or the container etc. But he just shrugged it off and was like "oh yeah no worries that's fine" and carried on his search. Didn't need to show anything at all!
Was a great, smooth process, and a great attitude from the staff at the port. If you're worried about travelling to France, don't be!
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10 comments
Toad
- 3y
Rep: 5778 Lvl: Gold
Thank you for sharing your experience, this post will reduce anxieties for others in the future.
12
Dinamus
- 3y
Rep: 3825 Lvl: Gold
Brittany ferries are great. Did you have a 2 hour wait to get through passports in France on way there and in Pompey on way back?
I didn't get a letter from embassy, just printed off their customs rules and regs around narcotics (take prescription). I didn't even get a chance to declare on way out or back.
6
Ivano
- 3y
Rep: 3589 Lvl: Gold
wow, you fessed up and all was fine! cool.
How did you get confirmation from the french embassy? I travel to france regularly with cannabis but just have the doctors letter, tub, prescription etc etc, also a print out of the french customs page, but not anything from the embassy. I have never been stopped.
5
Ihopeyouknow
- 3y
Rep: 3963 Lvl: Gold
Thanks for sharing, I have sent you DM 😊
3
Richvew
- 3y
Rep: 5749 Lvl: Gold
Had pretty much the same experience flying back from France too, seems like they’re not bothered about it
2
Ivano
- 3y
Rep: 3589 Lvl: Gold
hey bud!
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Sorry for the thread necro!
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who did you contact in Embassy? Don't suppose you have the email address or phone number still?
1
Janas
- 3y
Rep: 3862 Lvl: Gold
[deleted]
1
Steveo
- 3y
Rep: 3994 Lvl: Gold
Hi,
Cheers for posting, reassuring to hear. Was it the Consulate General you emailed. Doesn’t seem wildly clear on the site?
Heading out in July and want to make sure I’m covered. Also, did you contact the company you’re travelling with too?
1
Pepperbear
- 3y
Rep: 5279 Lvl: Gold
Travelled multiple times to France and it’s smooth each visit.
1
foztrott
- 3y
Rep: 6494 Lvl: Gold
I've just been to France via the ferry too and had absolutely no problems, didn't even get checked! It was the same when I flew to Italy.
1