Boat registration

[CharlesM]

Hi - me again

The vessel I am considering purchasing is SSR registered, and is in Spain. Unfortunately VAT is not paid so I will need to pay that :-(

I am South African with indefinate leave to remain in the UK. I read recently about a Yank who was asking about boat registration and it seems only UK citizens or UK Domociled companies can register a boat in the UK.

Can anyone point me towards any resources where I can find out more about this. Would I need to create a company before purchasing the boat, and would the boat need to be purchased by the company. Does it matter if the company has no income?

Can I register the boat under my girlfriends name?

What about registering the boat in Spain? Will I need to pay the Metrification tax in that case?

This really seems like a possible spanner in the works...

Thanks for any advice
Charles

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[AuntyRinum]

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-the_mca/mcga-uk_registration.htm


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[CharlesM]

Hey Brett

Thanks for that link. One worry crossed off... As a Commonwealth Citizen (RSA) I am elegible for the SSR.

F0r everyones info

Part 1
====
British citizens
Citizens of an EU member state exercising their rights under articles 48 or 52 of the EU Treaty in the UK;
British Dependant Territories citizens;
British Overseas citizens
Companies incorporated in one of the EEA countries;
Companies incorporated in any British overseas possession which have their principal place of business in the UK or those possessions; and
European Economic Interest Groupings.

SSR (Part III)
=========
British citizens;
Citizens of an EU member state exercising their rights under articles 48 or 52 of the EU Treaty in the UK;
British Dependent Territories Citizens
British Overseas Citizens
Persons who under the British Nationality Act 1981 are British subjects
Persons who under the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 are British Nationals (overseas); and
Commonwealth citizens not falling within those paragraphs


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[MartinW]

Charles

There is nothing wrong with buying an SSR registered vessel in Spain. With UK flag in theory you avoid some of their taxes and requirements such as for it to be skippered by someone with an ICC. However you can fall foul of Spainsh rules - have you seen this article:

http://www.cruising.org.uk/Spanish_Taxes.htm

You may have an issue sorting out the VAT. I don't know for certain but if it is physically in Spain and you try to pay the VAT there will you effectively be saying you are importing it. What view will the Spainish then take on whether it should be registered in Spain resulting in the additional taxes?

The alternative is to pay the VAT here in UK. I have one arriving from the USA in two weeks and you pay on first port of entry to EU. In your case vessel is in EU. You can speak to HM C&E National Enquires 0845 019000. They just told me unless it is here you have to pay in Spain.

Martin W

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