A slightly different VAT question

[MOBec1]

Dear all,

I wonder if anyone has any experience of importing an EU purchased boat (EU VAT Paid) in to the UK after they have been an expatriate living abroad? The Gov.uk website says that you can import your personal effects, including pleasure craft. My plan is to live in Greece for a couple years as a digital nomad and while I am there I am considering buying a boat. It appears if I have lived abroad for more than one year and owned the asset for over 6 months then I could import it tax and duty free.

Has anyone attempted this or have any info please?

Transfer of residence to the UK

UK definitions:
vehicle = mechanically propelled mode of transport on land
pleasure craft = Pleasure vessels are any vessels used for sport or recreational purposes and do not operate for financial gain.

MOB

 

[rogerthebodger]

I left the UK 40 years ago and took all my personal effects with me and paid no duty or VAT on import.

If I decided to return to the UK I as a returning resident I could do the same including one of mt cars and one of my boats.

Tere may be a time limit of time out of he country and the true status with regard to the concession

 

[Tranona]

Yes it works just as it says in the guidance and a boat would be considered part of your personal chattels. the sticking point is likely to be whether your residence status in Greece meets the requirements of residence outside the UK. Best to check with HMRC before committing. Links in the guidance.

Not sure this would work from a financial point of view. Boats in Greece and most of the EU tend to sell for higher prices than in the UK and the time/cost of getting it back to the UK would be significant. Sea/Road £8-10k. Sea £6-8k. There are VAT unpaid boats available in Greece, usually ex charter and they may be worth looking at but they need to be high value to absorb the transport costs.

 

[Irish Rover]

There are VAT unpaid boats available in Greece, usually ex charter and they may be worth looking at but they need to be high value to absorb the transport costs.

But if the OP is planning to become resident in Greece then he can't benefit from this.

 

[Tranona]

But if the OP is planning to become resident in Greece then he can't benefit from this.

Yes, You are right - he would break the 6 months ownership rule.

 

[pandos]

But if the OP is planning to become resident in Greece then he can't benefit from this.

Could he buy in Greece and park it in Turkey for 6 months? Then take it home to GB?

Can he shift his residence to GB, put the boat on the ssr, stick a red duster on the stern and then travel back via EU as a non EU resident.?

 

[Irish Rover]

Could he buy in Greece and park it in Turkey for 6 months? Then take it home to GB?

Can he shift his residence to GB, put the boat on the ssr, stick a red duster on the stern and then travel back via EU as a non EU resident.?

I'm sure he could do all of those things, and more, but there are a lot of ifs involved, not least how any of that scheming might affect his original plan of importing to the UK tax free.

 

[st599]

Could he buy in Greece and park it in Turkey for 6 months? Then take it home to GB?

Can he shift his residence to GB, put the boat on the ssr, stick a red duster on the stern and then travel back via EU as a non EU resident.?

The OP said he was heading to Greece as a digital nomad for 2 years. The Greek digital nomad visa is only valid for one year, if extended he becomes a Greek tax resident.

 

[Tranona]

The OP said he was heading to Greece as a digital nomad for 2 years. The Greek digital nomad visa is only valid for one year, if extended he becomes a Greek tax resident.

That was part of my thinking about whether a scheme such as that is acceptable by HMRC as evidence of 12 months continuous non residence.

 

[MOBec1]

The OP said he was heading to Greece as a digital nomad for 2 years. The Greek digital nomad visa is only valid for one year, if extended he becomes a Greek tax resident.

Hi - there is the 2 year option of "Residence Permit in Digital Nomad Status" which is the likely option.

That was part of my thinking about whether a scheme such as that is acceptable by HMRC as evidence of 12 months continuous non residence.

Good steer - I will have to check if the Digital Nomad scheme qualifies.

 

[MOBec1]

Yes it works just as it says in the guidance and a boat would be considered part of your personal chattels. the sticking point is likely to be whether your residence status in Greece meets the requirements of residence outside the UK. Best to check with HMRC before committing. Links in the guidance.

Not sure this would work from a financial point of view. Boats in Greece and most of the EU tend to sell for higher prices than in the UK and the time/cost of getting it back to the UK would be significant. Sea/Road £8-10k. Sea £6-8k. There are VAT unpaid boats available in Greece, usually ex charter and they may be worth looking at but they need to be high value to absorb the transport costs.

I have identified two boats - the preferred option is a 1963 24M classic motor cruiser - would defo bring her back on her own bottom.

 

[MOBec1]

Thank you all for your input - much appreciated.

The boats I have seen are both EU VAT paid, so I can keep them within the EU from that perspective, they are classics from the 60's

I would bring the boat back on her own bottom, 24M would cost a lot to bring back any other way and the journey is part of the adventure. I plan to spend a few years in the Med. Visas depending. Confidant I can secure French Temp Long Stay Visa and Spanish Class D visa, before Greece.

Lots to think about and to plan. I will defo take formal advice before making decisions.

My current boat is Lockheed 30' Thames-built cruiser from 1937View attachment 20230905-img_3424.jpg

 

[MOBec1]

The OP said he was heading to Greece as a digital nomad for 2 years. The Greek digital nomad visa is only valid for one year, if extended he becomes a Greek tax resident.

there is a two year option