Custom's Inspection in Paris on Eurostar??

You will go through immigration (passport control) in London before you depart. There are no checks when you arrive at Gare du Nord in Paris.

Thanks for the info. On the way back to London from Paris on the Eurostar, is it the same procedure? Would I still need to arrive at Gare du Nord 30-45 minutes before departure and then the custom's check would be there instead of London?

The 30 minutes prior is not a suggestion - it is a hard and fast rule. This year with all the checks and queues it is also not really long enough.

And, Cristy, don't have "questionable" objects in your luggage. In September had a small pocket knife in my luggage at the Eurostar X-ray machine in London, St. Pancras Station. The lady went through my small wheeled and day bags with a fine tooth comb when it appeared on the screen.

She then practiced with her new explosives swab machine and questioned me about my prescription medications as well, so took an extra 1/2 hour+ and I had to re-pack it all myself (quickly cause I was then fighting the clock). Turned out the pocket knife fit the guidelines as to length of blade but a lesson learned. Next time I'll hand it to them. Still a slick way to do Paris/London and beats flying hands down IMO.

On the return trip from Paris, Gare de Nord, I arrived at the station about an hour in advance for the first morning train to London and glad I did. There was already a long line and much, much longer behind me by the time they opened the gate and started processing. Everybody got through so far as I know but got a bit nervous for a few minutes as I had a flight from Heathrow that afternoon back to Vancouver.

Here is lots of info about using the Eurostar train service.

http://www.seat61.com/London-Paris-train.htm

Agree with Nigel - I'd allow at least 45 minutes, especially heading to Britain. If the train is crowded, the passport line can be long and you have to fill out an immigration card.

Maybe it has changed, but in 2004, travelling the Eurostar (at least Paris to London) meant a ticket and passport check by the French in Paris, another check by UK personnel about 50 ft further, followed by another passport check and submittal of your immigration card on arrival in London.