EES at Eurotunnel Folkestone?
Discussion
The Shuttle website is still saying
Later this year, the EU is gradually introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new border requirement for non-EU nationals (including British nationals), which will need to be completed when travelling with LeShuttle
UK passport holders will need to register, which will be done at our terminals after check-in before you travel
"Later this year" doesn't leave a lot of time... Has anyone done the crossing in the past few days and know whether there is any sign of them opening up their shiny new EES terminal building? We're due to go out on Wednesday, wanted to figure out whether to allow extra time to register for EES
Later this year, the EU is gradually introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new border requirement for non-EU nationals (including British nationals), which will need to be completed when travelling with LeShuttle
UK passport holders will need to register, which will be done at our terminals after check-in before you travel
"Later this year" doesn't leave a lot of time... Has anyone done the crossing in the past few days and know whether there is any sign of them opening up their shiny new EES terminal building? We're due to go out on Wednesday, wanted to figure out whether to allow extra time to register for EES
Badda said:
Went through last weekend with zero changes if that helps.
Thanks Badda, that's what I was looking for. There's is stuff online about what is (was) supposed to happen and when, but almost total silence on what is actually happening on introduction dates for light vehicle crossings at the terminalNDA said:
I assume the Eurotunnel/EES queues will be horrendous in the summer.
I'm making an early crossing in June and am wondering what Eurotunnel do with ticket holders who miss their trains because of the queues?
Looked at Google Maps earlier today and it's a standstill.
I cross regularly, and in my experience, once you are through check in you can pretty much just go through at any time. I've only once seen someone turned back by the check point before the passport check and that was because they were taking the piss on going through early. I'm making an early crossing in June and am wondering what Eurotunnel do with ticket holders who miss their trains because of the queues?
Looked at Google Maps earlier today and it's a standstill.
Recently the French appear to have finished their multi year long coffee and croissant break and have actually been checking a few cars after the passport check - this is causing queues back far enough that cars are not able to pass through the passport booths, but I'd expect them to be back to their shoulder shrugging usual approach soon. In dozens of crossings over the past 3 years I have been properly checked once coming towards the UK.
pteron said:
I cross regularly, and in my experience, once you are through check in you can pretty much just go through at any time. I've only once seen someone turned back by the check point before the passport check and that was because they were taking the piss on going through early.
Recently the French appear to have finished their multi year long coffee and croissant break and have actually been checking a few cars after the passport check - this is causing queues back far enough that cars are not able to pass through the passport booths, but I'd expect them to be back to their shoulder shrugging usual approach soon. In dozens of crossings over the past 3 years I have been properly checked once coming towards the UK.
OK, thanks. I get stopped every time for a vehicle check, without fail. But it's usually a quick business. It was more the EES queues I was thinking about - I am heading out before the school holidays, so hopefully it won't be chaos.Recently the French appear to have finished their multi year long coffee and croissant break and have actually been checking a few cars after the passport check - this is causing queues back far enough that cars are not able to pass through the passport booths, but I'd expect them to be back to their shoulder shrugging usual approach soon. In dozens of crossings over the past 3 years I have been properly checked once coming towards the UK.
Has anyone crossed recently?
I got an email today about tomorrow’s crossing saying the check in and terminal experience is the same as normal. Nothing about passport control though.
How are they doing finger prints and photos? With you sat in the car somehow or do you have to visit a new area on foot?
I got an email today about tomorrow’s crossing saying the check in and terminal experience is the same as normal. Nothing about passport control though.
How are they doing finger prints and photos? With you sat in the car somehow or do you have to visit a new area on foot?
DeuceDeuce said:
How are they doing finger prints and photos? With you sat in the car somehow or do you have to visit a new area on foot?
As far as I know (I haven't done it yet) you pull up to a special booth/machine. All occupants have to get out of the car and have passport scanned, fingerprints and photo taken.There are 106 'biometric kiosks' at Folkstone apparently.
NDA said:
As far as I know (I haven't done it yet) you pull up to a special booth/machine. All occupants have to get out of the car and have passport scanned, fingerprints and photo taken.
There are 106 'biometric kiosks' at Folkstone apparently.
Thanks. Will report back tomorrow. There are 106 'biometric kiosks' at Folkstone apparently.
Looks an odd set up to me. A queue of cars and if one has a problem at their kiosk everyone behind will be stuck.
DeuceDeuce said:
Thanks. Will report back tomorrow.
Looks an odd set up to me. A queue of cars and if one has a problem at their kiosk everyone behind will be stuck.
I seem to recall someone saying (on here somewhere) that it's only lorries that have to comply with this at the moment - cars won't be until April some time.Looks an odd set up to me. A queue of cars and if one has a problem at their kiosk everyone behind will be stuck.
But please do report back, I'd be interested to hear what it all looks like. I'm going over in June and expecting chaos.
DeuceDeuce said:
Has anyone crossed recently?
I got an email today about tomorrow s crossing saying the check in and terminal experience is the same as normal. Nothing about passport control though.
How are they doing finger prints and photos? With you sat in the car somehow or do you have to visit a new area on foot?
Does today count. No change.I got an email today about tomorrow s crossing saying the check in and terminal experience is the same as normal. Nothing about passport control though.
How are they doing finger prints and photos? With you sat in the car somehow or do you have to visit a new area on foot?
Perfect experience from France to Uk. Roll into pet reception 12:50 for a 14:22 crossing. Get the mutts cleared, check-in around 13:00, do I want a 13:22 crossing instead, yep, straight to French passport control, through UK passport control, engine off on the train by around 13:15
NDA said:
As far as I know (I haven't done it yet) you pull up to a special booth/machine. All occupants have to get out of the car and have passport scanned, fingerprints and photo taken.
There are 106 'biometric kiosks' at Folkstone apparently.
I really hope there is some active management of the traffic through there - because from the picture it will quickly default to everyone using the 'first' terminal and then just driving past the others which are never used.There are 106 'biometric kiosks' at Folkstone apparently.
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