Buying in the US - documentation and registration?

[Tranona]

Think you mis-understand the purpose of CE marking. It was never designed to deal with individual imports of old boats from outside the EU as this is a very marginal activity that would need a really complicated separate set of rules to cope with all the variations. Now you have just one set of rules and it is not surprising that many older boats don't meet them easily - such is progress!

And, no you can't just "stop over for a rest". As soon as you enter the EU if your boat is not exempt you are liable for VAT and the boat has to comply with the RCD.

Best to know the rules beforehand rather than find out the hard way. And recognise that there are many things in life we might like to do but can't! - there are still many things you can do so do them and not worry about those you can't.

 

[macd]

All very interesting, but is irrelevant in relation to compliance with the law on RCD and paying VAT if the boat is imported into the EU by an EU resident.

Is that a response to my post immediately above yours? If so, you are wide of the mark. IoM is a common VAT area with the UK, so VAT issues are identical between the two countries. IoM is not EEA, and thus RCD is not required. My earlier post makes this (and its implications for subsequent re-sale within EEA) clear

 

[Tranona]

Is that a response to my post immediately above yours? If so, you are wide of the mark. IoM is a common VAT area with the UK, so VAT issues are identical between the two countries. IoM is not EEA, and thus RCD is not required. My earlier post makes this (and its implications for subsequent re-sale within EEA) clear

Yes, it is. And as there is no connection between VAT, compliance with RCD and registration of a yacht, it is irrelevant.

There is no legal requirement to register a boat in the UK. Registration has no impact on liability for VAT - that tax is determined by the nature of the transaction. Similarly the requirement to comply with the requirements of the RCD will depend on the specific circumstances related to the boat.

So, while you are correct in saying that VAT issues are common, registering a boat in IOM (or Channel Islands) does not exempt it from the RCD if it is imported into the EEA. And the liability is not related to "being sold" but to being put into use.

 

[Williwaw]

Following on from posts 18,19,21 above:

It seemed that Integrale44, although based in the UK, wants to buy a yacht in the USA to start cruising, rather than setting off from here - hence my suggestion of buying a UK/Europe-built boat to stay clear of the RCD on returning to European waters.

Tranona quotes prices correctly. Rival 34s in the UK have realised £25-35K over the last year or so - at the lower end they needed work and/or were in inconvenient locations for viewing and the one at the top end was one of the last built and in immaculate condition. Prices in the USA are highly negotiable at present. A very nice 1980 R34 with lots of updating sold this summer in Florida for USD25K, over a third down on the asking price.

I like the looks of the 1979 one in Charleston: newish engine, no teak decks and all the gear for long distance cruising - might take it very seriously if I did not have one already!

The 1980 one in Galesville may need a new engine and major renovation to the teak decks....

Tranona is quite right about VAT and RCD. Integrale44 could only avoid VAT if he was non-resident in the UK and if the yacht remained under US registration, in which case it could stay in EU waters for 18 months before becoming liable for VAT.