Port Transmanche de Calais
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Port Transmanche de Calais
285 Avenue du Mérite Maritime - 62100 CALAIS
Services
Equipment
telephone
+33 3 21 46 29 00
Website
www.portboulognecalais.fr
From fragile boats to port gigantism
From the medieval Bassin du Paradis, where fragile sailing boats once moored, to the gigantic facilities of today, the history of the port of Calais is intertwined with that of the city itself. Facing the Bassin, the Courgain Maritime district has seen generations of fishermen and sailors grow up, deeply attached to their traditions. The Channel Tunnel, opened in 1994, provided Calais with a second route to England, without competing with the port: on the contrary, the 2010s were marked by a major construction project, 'Calais Port 2015', which doubled the port's capacity with a 3-kilometer breakwater and a new 110-hectare basin.
©Nohcab 1st passenger port
As the leading passenger port in continental Europe, the Port of Calais welcomed 7,6 million passengers in 2024, an 11% increase over the previous year, as well as 1,4 million passenger vehicles and nearly 68,000 coaches. Freight traffic also remains strong, with approximately 1,8 million trucks using the shortest crossing between the continent and the UK each year.
Passport, ETA: preparing for your crossing
Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, crossing to England from Calais requires some advance preparation. A passport is now mandatory, and since April 2, 2025, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is required for all European travelers, including children, unless they have a visa or British resident status. This process, which can be completed online on the official UK government website or via the UK ETA app, costs £10 and can take up to 72 hours. It's best to start several days before departure.
©Nohcab Customs rules
Whether you're an individual or a professional, it's essential to check which products are authorized before any shipment or movement. The goal is to prevent the introduction of animal or plant diseases into the UK.
Among the prohibited foodstuffs are: meats, cold cuts, dairy products (such as cheese or butter), and certain fresh fruits and vegetables. These prohibitions concern both personal baggage as well as postal parcels. However, certain products remain permitted under certain conditions: chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, pasta, and alcoholic beverages may be transported if they are processed and do not pose a health risk. Exemptions exist for specific uses, such as infant milk or certain medical supplements, in limited quantities. Checks may be carried out at the border, particularly on undeclared vehicles or packages.
See the official British note
©Nohcab Shopping and tax refunds
A stay in Calais is also an opportunity for visitors residing in the United Kingdom to take advantage of the tax refund scheme on their purchases, provided that the total amount reaches at least €100 in the same store and that the items are exported to the United Kingdom in their original packaging.
Simply request a tax refund slip at the checkout, with your passport, and then have it validated at the PABLO terminals installed after customs checks, at the car-ferry terminal or the Channel Tunnel, before boarding.
The shopping guide to Calais XXL
The 3 companies operating the Calais-Dover route
Three companies share the maritime link between Calais and Dover. P&O FerriesThe long-standing operator of the route offers the highest frequency of crossings and remains the only company to welcome foot passengers. Its fleet is being renewed with new-generation twin-bowed vessels, the P&O Pioneer and the P&O Liberté, designed to speed up sailings on the route. DFDS, a Scandinavian group also present on the Dunkirk-Dover line, provides one of the shortest Channel crossings. Irish Ferries, which arrived more recently on the line in 2021, quickly doubled its rotation frequency with its Isle of Inishmore and Isle of Innisfree ships.
Companies and schedules
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