Buying a new boat in the EU ?

[tsekul]

Trawled the internet and can’t seem to find a straight answer to the question :-

If you buy a new boat in the EU do you pay vat if you export it immediately And have no intention of using it in EU waters ?

I have read online you can have a boat non vat paid in the EU for thirty days before it is due. In the U.K. many new goods are not liable for vat in the U.K. if they are for export.

Once in the U.K. Vat would be due.

Thanks
T

 

[Tranona]

I expect that the EU still has a similar scheme to the UK where a new boat can be bought VAT free for export. It used to be called the "Sailaway" scheme but about 10 years ago it was tightened up across the then EU and is managed through the builder with a set of rules that limits the time it can stay in EU waters after completion, usually to allow commissioning etc. The builder is liable for the VAT until the boat officially leaves. Builders in the UK usually require either the VAT amount to be paid into an escrow account, returned on issue of customs clearance, or a bank guarantee.

Pretty sure the sales department of the builder or his agent/dealer will be au fait with the process!

 

[tsekul]

Thanks for the reply.
T