Buying in USA

[Pat1]

Thinking of buying a 42ft Grand Banks in US, built about 1974, does anyone know if I would be subject to vat or anyother costs if I bring it back to the UK, eventually intend to use it in the Med.

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[adarcy]

Yes to VAT, has to have VAT paid or evidence of use in EU before err ? 1988 do a search here on VAT import AND try 1988 and you'll find it has been covered

Yes to Import duty

? Yes to getting it certified

Sorry for the bad news that's why they're more expensive here

 

[jimg]

Thinking of doing the same, they are so much cheaper in USA and a huge choice. Be interested to know if you proceed, what are you going to do about the 110 volt items?

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[Pat1]

Thought of just getting a transformer from 240 - 110 & getting a small petrol genny 240 for hand tools etc, the one I am looking at has a diesel genny & seperate fuel tank for 110. Must admit I was rather hoping that a boat of this age might have been exempt VAT as it was probibly built before VAT was about, still may be worth doing though.

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[Talbot]

Your biggest cost is in getting the boat and all equipment certified as CE. If it is not done, the boat could be confiscated in Europe, and will be worthless on re-sale. There have been a host of posts on this subject on this forum, do a search on CE

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[Solitaire]

Evidence of boat being used in the UK prior to June 1998!

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[DepSol]

Any one know who to contact about getting a 36 footer back from USA Florida.

Is it expensive approx ,000s would do.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[adarcy]

Thank you, that date just won't stick in my mind.

Err, however, don't you mean use in the EU area before 98 rahter than just UK?

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[Gludy]

Famous, international boats like Grand Banks, Traders etc - surely the same models appear in the UK and given that it is of pre- CE age in any event surely there is no need for CE? I am probably just living in hope but the result would be a higher regulation standard for an 1985 boat brought in now than the same boat bought here in 1985?

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[NorthernWave]

Dock express would probably be your best bet to bring here across the pond. We went the other way from Majorca to St Thomas at a cost of $12000 US but we are 70feet and 40 t so you'll be alot cheaper than that.

Where is it in the states?

Chris



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[Pat1]

Thanks for your answers, in searching re VAT I came across the attached item from 1997
When visiting EU countries, if your boat was built after January 1985 you must be able to prove that VAT has been paid. If you can't, then you may be required to pay VAT at that country's rate ­ not a pleasant thought. Valid proof is a VAT receipt backed up by a builder's certificate. If the boat is second-hand, you should also show the bill of sale. Customs may also ask for VAT receipts for expensive items added later, eg radar, chart-plotter etc. If your boat was built before 1985 it's exempt from VAT, but you'll need to have evidence to prove it, for example a builder's certificate. If you don't have the necessary evidence of VAT paid or exemption, HM Customs and Excise may be able to provide you with a VAT Status Letter. Find the address of your local Customs office in Yellow Pages. If you have questions about VAT on boats contact HM Customs and Excise, Dover Yacht Unit, Parcel Post Depot, Charlton Green, Dover CT16 1EH. Tel: +44 (0)1304 224421. The RYA may also be able to help.
So it looks like the boat may be exempt VAT as it was built in 1975.

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[Gludy]

HM Customs will not help with "necessary evidence of VAT paid or exemption" any longer. They do not want to know.



<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[Bergman]

Why not take it to Turkey

In the Med but not in EU

No doubt they will have some taxes but probably lower than EU

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[kingfisher]

Should have brought it to Cyprus, Four months ago: all boats in the country before the accession to the EU on May 1st were given the status of "existing boats", therefore excempt from CE.

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[CrunchyFrog]

Just doing this with a 53'
Hard work but well worth the saving
Ctc Jack Molleur [jmolleur@cfl.rr.com] as he is the man in the USA to do the CE certification. Cost me under $3000 but mine was pretty much OK. It's all paperwork and bureaucracy, but Jack understands it and is very helpful.
Also power is a nightmare, in the end I took the easy but pricey route and bought an AC12 convertor from www.aseapower.com via a helpful dealer in NY. This accepts all types of shorepower and converts it to US standard for the boat, then you can leave the boat appliances as US rated (110v 60Hz), otherwise you might as well throw away all 110v appliances! AC12 costs around $18k, so I hope you are saving a lot on the US purchase.
Transport: I used charles@Petersandmay.com of Southampton who was extremely helpful. Depends where your boat is as to who is best.
Let me know if I can help further


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[Kevin]

You can buy a drop down isolating transformer for about £150 over here which works well and again means you dont have to change anything onboard its well within its capabilites to run hot water fridge stove air con etc etc.

kevin

 

[Chris771]

Only consideration there is that things with AC Motors in may not like the 50Hz of the UK as they will run 20% slower.

I was once on an American Survey vessel operating out of UK. There they fitted 240v washers and driers with just a big transformer. So we had the reverse problem of frequency being too high. The washing machine motors burned out fairly quickly and the tumble driers did not work well, because the drum was rotating too fast and the clothes just stuck to the outside and did not tumble.

So, depending on appliances, frequency needs to be considered as well

Chris

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[Kevin]

Yep take your point, especially when stepping up to a higher frequency. Ive never had any trouble when doing it downwards, but always on delicate things like computers etc a bit wary of the MHZ, on the bigger things like battery charger,washer, stove etc seemed all ok but definitly worth noting though if looking to do it.

On some US craft they have an 'international pack' option which primarily is a stand alone drop down transformer as used on building sites-very high tech!

Kevin