Tommygunn Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I need some specialist paint to be brought over by a friend of mine but he says that if stopped either by UK or more likely French Customs then it could be confiscated.He is basing this on the fact that he cannot bring swimming pool chemicals across, whether this is hearsay or official I don't know.All I'm looking to bring over is about 2 to 3, 2Litre tins of, most likely, Enamel paint for use with a spray gun.Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluzo Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Probably something to do Transport of Hazardous Goods - especially if going through a Tunnel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
passetout Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 HiWe have bought gallons of emulsion, as long as it is unopened with us from the UK, both through the tunnel and on the ferry, and there is not aproblem, BUT it must be unopened, and for personal use. We checked with euro tunnel and the ferry operator and they had no worries about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommygunn Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 When the ferry and tunnel operators say it is ok is that also the line that the Customs take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonrobbo Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 If it carries a hazard warning label then i would say its not transportable personally,only by courier. But i may be wrong .....i think ernie y commented on a similar thread to this one a while back...he may be along shortly to throw some light on the subjectsheldon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonrobbo Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 just found the thread ...not sure how to post a link ......but its in the "travelling to?from France" section ...the post is titled "tins of paint in hand baggage" or something to that effect....hope it helps sheldon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommygunn Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 Yep, I found the thread. Here it is for those interested:http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1543715/ShowPost.aspxThing is, is that thread is more geared to flying in which, as we all know, transportation of items is heavily restricted.I'm going to message Ernie and ask him to contribute to the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyh4 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 [quote user="Tommygunn"]When the ferry and tunnel operators say it is ok is that also the line that the Customs take?[/quote]No problems with customs - we are all in the EU. If there is going to be a problem as has already been said it will be carrying of dangerous goods - emulsion paint will not usually be so classified, but enamel paint almost ertainly will. You can check the T&Cs of both the tunnel and the ferries on line and they should confirm whether it will be a problem or not. Personally I would doubt that they would worry about a couple of small unopenned tins for personal use - a van load yes. After all you will be carrying more volume of dangerous goods in the fuel tank of the vehicle - but still best to check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommygunn Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 I'll contact the paint company in the meantime and see what the chemistry of the paint is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 For obvious reasons the regulations regarding transport of dangerous goods by road are not as strict as those for air transport.To be specific I'd need to know the UN number of product but broadly speaking in reasonably quantities, such as a few 2.5lt or so tins, household paint should present no real problems.Fundamentally of course it's nothing whatsoever to do with customs however if they did happen upon something they were concerned about they would call on the services of someone qualified to advise on it. At a port this would likely be the fire brigade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Thousands of ferry passengers have brought all sorts of paint emulsion, gloss, enamel, spray etc over to France in vans, cars, and lorries and none have ever had it confiscated by French customs.Sorry but whoever compared paint to pool chemical is just "badly informed ". In any case, if you get actually got stopped by any French Police or customs, I would be very concerned as you would have to be on a list of wanted criminals.What goes to France has naff all to do with UK Customs and there are no checks by them on outward journeys. In fact there are no checks at all going into France. In all the years of going Dover - Calais I have yet to see a customs post at Calais actually manned, the only checks made are of passports by the Border Police at Dover and they never leave their boxes!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 [quote user="andyh4"][quote user="Tommygunn"]When the ferry and tunnel operators say it is ok is that also the line that the Customs take?[/quote]No problems with customs - we are all in the EU. If there is going to be a problem as has already been said it will be carrying of dangerous goods - emulsion paint will not usually be so classified, but enamel paint almost ertainly will. You can check the T&Cs of both the tunnel and the ferries on line and they should confirm whether it will be a problem or not. Personally I would doubt that they would worry about a couple of small unopenned tins for personal use - a van load yes. After all you will be carrying more volume of dangerous goods in the fuel tank of the vehicle - but still best to check[/quote]If the paint contains Toluene as the thinner, it would be classed a hazardous substance, like wise the strong oxidiser in pool chemicals. so keep it very well hidden [Www]The fuel tank is not considered dangerous, even if its made of plastic like on our volvo, crass isn't it. Try taking a jerry can of diesel and it will be taken off of you though. Mine was last year. You could put a fire out with diesel I said, its not like petrol. Had to collect it on the way back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 It may seem crass teapot but it's the unknown factor which presents the real danger. The ferry operators know that they have substances such as petrol, diesel, and probably gas canisters in campers etc. on board and have well practiced procedures in place to deal with incidents involving those but if somebody is carrying something which let's say gave off Phosgene gas in a fire then it could have dire consequences and kill dozens.PS: I would strongly advise against using Diesel to quench a fire [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I agree ErnieY, thankfully the number of incidents of fire on ferries is very low. Phosgene gas you say, like the paint Tommygunn wants to take? or most of the plastic components used in cars etc [;-)]Now the tunnel is a different matter, I would not take any hazardous compounds on that, although the lorries that do, have to hand in their paperwork so its all officially done and people are notified, oh yes and the right people are paid with the end result its only recently got back to full operation. So that's why it's best left to the professionals [Www]"PS: I would strongly advise against using Diesel to quench a fire" [;-)]Me too, but it would smother the oxygen and put out a small fire. As I said its considered too dangerous to allow a metal jerry can of diesel securely fastened in the van on board. Although petrol cans are allowed to be made in plastic (not allowed on board either thank goodness) I cant understand the logic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommygunn Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Thanks for the input so far.I contacted the paint company and they are classed as hazardous, not really surprising, but they said there is no problem transporting it.I think I'll have to have a word with my mate and explain the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I hope they are right, ask them for a material safety data sheet (MSDS) that will have all the required info on it and by law they have to supply you with one if requested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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