19-01-2021, 11:11 AM
Unlike La Belle France where the export or sale of National Treasures (or strategic industries like Yoghurt makers) is forbidden by the government, we free Brits are generally allowed to export our culture (Boing, Boing!).
I was once stopped in the early 80's at an autoroute peage when repatriating a pre war Aston under a tarpaulin on a trailer, bought from the Estate of a deceased Brit living in France. The Polis and Douaniers (in the middle of France!) were very interested in what we were up to. Fortunately we had removed the French plates and only the British registration was clear to see. We "spoke no French(!) - ho ho" and they had no English. We (correctly) said we were returning the car home - a little economy with the truth- it was only after 20+ years or so in France! So we put the tarpaulin back on and went on our way. A nice finale was that at Dover we went into the Red channel to declare and import the car and the Customs man asked if Purchase Tax had been paid on the car when new (it had) so he said, no problem, no duty, no VAT.....stamped our documents and "on your way gentlemen!"
I was once stopped in the early 80's at an autoroute peage when repatriating a pre war Aston under a tarpaulin on a trailer, bought from the Estate of a deceased Brit living in France. The Polis and Douaniers (in the middle of France!) were very interested in what we were up to. Fortunately we had removed the French plates and only the British registration was clear to see. We "spoke no French(!) - ho ho" and they had no English. We (correctly) said we were returning the car home - a little economy with the truth- it was only after 20+ years or so in France! So we put the tarpaulin back on and went on our way. A nice finale was that at Dover we went into the Red channel to declare and import the car and the Customs man asked if Purchase Tax had been paid on the car when new (it had) so he said, no problem, no duty, no VAT.....stamped our documents and "on your way gentlemen!"