Q& I
'm moving to France and would like to take plants – some in pots, some dug up from the garden – as
well as seeds, bulbs and other gardening bits ‘n’ bobs. What are the rules with regards to bringing in plants to France?”
STEVE BALL of Burke Bros Removals responds (
burkebros.co.uk): Following Brexit, transferring plants from the UK into the EU has become expensive and requires a large amount of paperwork. Unlike pre-Brexit when plants could simply be loaded onto the removal vehicle and delivered to the continent, current DEFRA regulations require plants, seedlings, cuttings, seeds etc to be issued a phytosanitary certificate. This involves having soil sample laboratory tested to ensure they are free of pests. Aside from the time and
effort the process takes, costs
Need advice? Put your problems to our panel A Steve Ball
are also an important factor in determining the feasibility of importing plants. Each inspection costs £127.60 for the first 30 minutes and thereafter £63.80 for every 15 minutes of an inspector’s time. With the inspection in blocks of 15 minutes, if the inspection took 41 minutes, for example, you would be required to pay for the full 45 minutes. Then a further £33.56 for each sample laboratory tested. If the samples are clear, you
Ask the experts
CAN I TAKE MY PLANTS TO FRANCE?
will be issued a phytosanitary certificate costing £25.52. For instance, for a single
plant the minimum cost is £186.68 assuming the inspection can be completed within 30 minutes. We receive a large number
of client enquiries about importing their plants, as part of their move to France. However, after gaining a greater insight into the complexities and costs associated with transferring plants, the plants often end up being rehomed. On occasion, customers
have trees, for example, that have sentimental value and after fully considering the costs and procedures involved, they do opt to proceed with taking them with them. Bear in mind that if the tree is planted into the ground, a removal company won’t be able to dig them up for you and any roots must be bagged to avoid transferring soil onto the
WHEN SHOULD I EXCHANGE MY CURRENCY?
With exchange rates fluctuating all the time, it is difficult to decide when to press the button and exchange my funds into euros. How do I know when an exchange rate is ‘good’?
MAR BONNIN-PALMER of Moneycorp explains (
moneycorp.com): The decision about when to exchange funds is not easy and is determined by many different factors in each case. This may include your budget, your timeline, your attitude to risk, and, of course, the market. So, a specific decision from one
Mar Bonnin-Palmer
individual may be perfect for their situation, but fall short or be inadequate for another. However, there are a couple of tips that you can consider to help
88 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: May/June 2024
you feel comfortable with your commitment: FIX YOUR BUDGET: Decide your budget before you find a property and look at the current rate when you do so. This will give you a benchmark and define a low and high range, which will help you decide when a rate works for you. For example, if the rate is 1.16 when you start viewing properties, you could take that rate as a reference. You'll then know that for everything above 1.16, you are maximising your budget, while anything below might move away from your benchmark rate.
PLAN IN ADVANCE: Get familiar with the rate so you can identify trends and high and low levels in the period before you find the property. Understanding how the currency has fluctuated in the months before your purchase will also help you decide when the rate is favourable for you. UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS: Did you know that you could lock the rate of exchange in advance of completion via a ‘forward contract’? By doing this, you fix the price, making sure you trade at your budget rate or
rest of the contents of the van. We are also unable to replant at your new property. Whether you’re moving
household effects only or are opting to take plants with you to France, it’s
© SHUTTERSTIOCK
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