Have just returned from France , having used our regular Channel Crossing ,but had a right palaver with the new scanners they are using. Both ends of the journey involved frustrating and anxiety inducing delays whilst my girls' microchips were located. We've been travelling back and forth since the pilot scheme was introduced 11 or so years ago and never had a problem. I asked the Brittany Ferries check in staff if I could bring my own scanner in future and they said okay. So can anyone advise ?

I was thinking of doing the same. Got to the ferry port and they couldn't find one of the chips. I was panicking like crazy. They eventuually just let us through (maybe they thought that as the other 3 were okay then the fourth must have been) but I wouldn't like to take the chance of a really official person not letting us through. Had her scanned at the Vet going out when receiving the treatment and also took her to my own Vet when we got back and the chip was in place.

the universal scanner from pet-detect it reads all chips

I would contact the bosses of the checking staff to point out that their new scanners are causing issues.

interestin. i was speaking to someone that bought a dog in from abroad.  then she wanted to have him health tested. when they looked at the micro chip number it did not correspond with the paperwork. Yet, it came into the country with no one noticing the paperwork number and the chip number were differant. makes it a farce!
 

I had problems at my own vets, vets at foreign shows, and at the ports with two of my dogs.  The ONLY reliable scanner I found was Bayer Tracer, the large one many vets use.  I ended up buying one,my vet ordered it for me and it cost £200 and worth every penny.  I have 8 dogs I show abroad, why 2 have difficult chips even Bayer cannot explain. 

The only hiccup once I got my own scanner was at Hook of Holland when a check in person refused point blank to let me use my own scanner, it involved calling the chief of control who immediately cleared me through.  I think just unlucky to get a check in lady on a bad day!

> <span class="htt">In Response to</span> jogold

the universal scanner from pet-detect it reads all chips

Only reads 2 of mine!  7 were chipped at the same time, 4 are imports from various countries, and the others all chipped by my vets at different times using Pet id chips.

Thank you for all the input so far. Will phone Ferry Company tomorrow to express concerns . Am also seriously considering buying the Bayer Tracer. I find the whole business of check in French side so stressful - always worried that there has been a mistake by the vet ,never mind issues with the microchip !

> Thank you for all the input so far. Will phone Ferry Company tomorrow to express concerns

I have found Dunkerque to be far more "user friendly" than Calais or Hook of Holland.  I travel at least once a month to the continent.

ditto, very nice at Dunkirk

Before I leave the Vets car park, I thoroughly go through all the passports to ensure that the Vet has written and signed everything that is necessary. Have to say that I have always found Calais staff to be okay but I suppose there is always a first time!

I do the same but still get anxious based on experience.  Many years ago , soon after  the introduction of the Pet Travel scheme, we had a problem with the timing because of changes from winter to summer time.It proved crucial and we were told we should wait in France and go through the procedure again  -for the sake of one hour  ! Well, we couldn't wait. There was a storm brewing and my husband was on duty at the hospital the following day. We guessed that the next crossing would be cancelled ( it was !) We insisted on boarding the boat . We were effectively ( very!) quarantined for the duration of the crossing. However, a child went missing during the very rough crossing and it was assumed she had fallen overboard. The ship turned back and 2-3 hours were spent looking for her in very turbulent seas.  She turned up having fallen asleep in an empty cabin so all was well.!
On arrival in Portsmouth  a Ministry of Agric vet and quarantine wagon rolled onto the boat and tried to take Meggie away. It was completely ridiculous 'cos we were well within the stipulated time frame ( ok ! boarding but not landing !) I resisted strongly and due to extenuating circumstances won the day and Meggie came home with us. But the memory lingers  and I get anxious every time nevertheless.

You can imagine How I felt when the plane carrying me and my Inka from USA to Brussels was rerouted to Dublin Dec 2010, and we weren't in the tick tape time line, and of course not allowed in as checked baggage either. 

Fortunately we were not disembarked, and we flew on to Brussels and were still within time to get back at the right timing by Ferry from Dunkirk to dover.