French chums

[squib]

So next week i have to drive down to NW Italy with a trailer and a staircase,kitchen units and windowsills etc that i shall be fitting, i shall be taking loads of tools and brand new fridge,cooker,hob and lights that i have been buying at favourable prices over the last year.......so my dilemma is this....in light of not being able to go thru france due to not being able to buy diesel i am thinking of going belgium and switzerland however i am unsure of the tax situation about going thru CH ,anyone know anything about this? Furthermore my faithful collie is coming,she has her Rabies /passport but info about swiss borders seems rare and varied. Sorry for the random post but i thought someone may be able to shed some light on what seems to be becoming a bit of an adventure!
The Squib.

 

[CHJ]

You need to purchase a window tax sticker (vignette) and an additional one for any trailer your towing if you use any of the autobahns. (£26?)

https://www.swisstravelsystem.com/produ ... liateid=23

http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/drivin ... erland.htm

Winter Tyres?

 

[CNC Paul]

Squib,

Make sure you are not over weight, I friend of mine went to all the way through France to do a job in Switzerland, he was refused entry at the border, he tried to go back to France they refused him... he was stuck in no mans land. The result was he had to hire a van and unload part of his load before they would let him in.

Best of luck with the trip and the work.

 

[devonwoody]

Are you not allowed to carry extra fuel in containers to get you through France, or are there regs on the amount you carry in containers across the channel?

 

[dedee]

I can't vouch for the whole of France but around here, Basse Normandie, petrol/diesel is available.
When next week will you be travelling - this could all blow over very quickly.

I'd have thought at little over 600 miles from Calais to the Italian border you might be able to make it on 1 tank if you are careful.


Andy

 

[jeffinfrance]

there's no real shortage here. being overblown in the press.

jeff

 

[squib]

Having looked at the map for a long time it looks like it is best to go Belgium ,Luxemburg and then head down to Aosta with a spare jerry can. I guess the fuel situation must vary as my mate near Le mans cant get diesel and petrol is scarse.

 

[devonwoody]

Did that route in 1953 using just a thumb. honest.

 

[mickthetree]

guy came into work today to buy some jerry cans. he had a printed document printed from the French government website.

It said that you can carry upto 20litres of fuel but only in 2 x 10litre cans, not one 20l can.

Hope this helps.

 

[dedee]

Not allowed to take full fuel cans on P&O ferries

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/conten ... pdates.htm

Andy

 

[Anonymous]

Squib,

Make sure you are not over weight, I friend of mine went to all the way through France to do a job in Switzerland, he was refused entry at the border, he tried to go back to France they refused him... he was stuck in no mans land. The result was he had to hire a van and unload part of his load before they would let him in.

Best of luck with the trip and the work.

Whats his trouser size got to do with customs?

 

[laird]

guy came into work today to buy some jerry cans. he had a printed document printed from the French government website.

It said that you can carry upto 20litres of fuel but only in 2 x 10litre cans, not one 20l can.

Hope this helps.

That's the same law as in the UK, don't know if it's as ignored in France tho'. I suspect so, as every outboard engine fuel tank carried to a petrol station is illegal.

 

[devonwoody]

I suppose the legal way would be to fill up with fuel at a marina or port facility for a boat tank like an outboard.
In my younger days I used to fill two 25 litre tanks to take down to my boat which I used for watersking. (I had a water sking business. )

 

[laird]

There aren't many marina/port facilities (north of Watford) that sell petrol. Your're not showing your age this time DW, it's still usual practice

 

[devonwoody]

Great opening for someone then Laird. :wink:

 

[squib]

I have found this site which helps find cheap fuel in France and at the moment is displaying which filling stations are closed due to the blockades.1000 more have closed since i checked on saturday!

http://www.carbu.fr

 

[dedee]

I would not for one minute question the honesty of those who amend that site but it is remarkably easy to declare a petrols station as open or closed. It does not even require registration.

Andy

 

[Jonzjob]

There is not much of a problem down this way but that's West of where you are heading. There doesn't seem to be much of a problem anywhere in the South.

Any time you are driving here it's a good idea to tune the radio to 107.7 the traffic programme. In French, but they also do English traffic flashes. They broadcast music with traffic flashes every 15 minutes.