Advice on selling US boat in Europe

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joseph53p

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I am selling an Henri Wauquiez Chance 37, currently in Annapolis, and I believe this boat would be appreciated for her qualities more in Europe than here in the US, and additionally the exchange rate would be far more advantageous to a European buyer, even factoring in the cost of shipping her transatlantic. Does anyone have advice re: where/how to advertise such a situation?

Many thanks and cheers,

Joseph Kelly jlkmd@yahoo.com
 
You can use UK brokers, ads in the mags etc, but remember the boat will have to have VAT paid on it when imported - based on its residual value unless less than a year old, when its the full value. This can be reduced if you import through somehwere like the Azores where they are quite lenient with valuations. You will also need the RCD certification which is not cheap - I'm sure I'll be corrected but I have heard figures of £5k for this. You need to be sure of the true figures before deciding that europe is the right placed to sell.
 
Why?

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this boat would be appreciated for her qualities more in Europe than here in the US

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You can use UK brokers, ads in the mags etc, but remember the boat will have to have VAT paid on it when imported - based on its residual value unless less than a year old, when its the full value. This can be reduced if you import through somehwere like the Azores where they are quite lenient with valuations. You will also need the RCD certification which is not cheap - I'm sure I'll be corrected but I have heard figures of £5k for this. You need to be sure of the true figures before deciding that europe is the right placed to sell.

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Spot on, I recently bought a yacht from the US and imported it via the Azores (15% VAT - and totally painless!). I used Duncan Sweet of Mid Atlantic Yacht Services in Horta, Faial. Took 36 hours to get sorted. Try and get the vessel registered via the SSR - makes it all even easier.
RCD issue is very important (and £5K is a pretty good estimate!). A letter of intent from a recognized RCD company (CE Proof UK etc) will suffice (I wasn't asked for any RCD documentation in the Azores though). Older boats may have some issues with hull factors (GZ curves etc.) Get the vessel specs before buying and run them through an RCD company to get a rough estimate. Engine details very important - you may find engines over 10 years old difficult to get certified. Ensure there is adequate docmentation/user manuals/technical files etc. All this will reduce the cost significantly.

...and of course you then have to sail her across the pond!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bon Chance
 
I hear the chances of getting a USA boat through the RCD engine immission standards are pretty low.

Don't forget that the RCD regulations that have to be complied with are those in place when the boat is first sold or placed into service in EU waters.

Failure to get RCD certification may result in a 3 month prison sentence according to the UK info..

Not only will you have professional costs of say £5000 - £7000 .... you may need a new engine, new electronics - EC marked, gas installation, and electrical wiring. The EU and USA standards are not identical.
 
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