Buying Yacht in Turkey and Sailing to UK

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Dave100456

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Looking for some advice please.
I'm at the early stages of possibly buying a brokerage boat moored in Marmaris. She is owned by a Greek and not VAT paid. I know as UK citizen I'll have to pay VAT when I sail her to the EU.

I would like some advice re:1) appointing a solicitor (UK or Turkey or Greece based) 2) recomendations for a surveyor (do I take UK one out) and 3) formalities for departing Marmaris. Also is there a lot of hassle with having a 2 or 3 month stay in Turkey before deparrting?
Lots of questions. Thanks for any help.
Dave
 
In addition to paying VAT at your first port of call in the EU (likely to be Greece) you will also need to show that the boat complies with the RCD. The RYA have information leaflets on both topics.

As to the legal side, much will depend on the status of the boat. all you need is a Bill of Sale formally transferring title to you. Again the RYA has a template for this and general advice on buying a boat abroad. There may also be formalities to remove the boat from its existing register (a bit long winded and costly if it is registered in Greece). As to surveyor, that is really up to you. I expect you will find a competent surveyor in Turkey but you could equally pay for a UK surveyor if you are happier with this.

If the boat is being handled by a broker, he will advise on formalities. You will need to find out what the legal processes are - again he should know how to do it properly. Ideally you should try to get it all done using a UK type contract and under UK law. However this may not be possible.

First thing to do is join the RYA and seek advice from their legal department. They may not have the detail answer, but will know where to refer you.

Good luck
 
Oliveoyl said:
VAT in Greece 23%, Cyprus 16% - may be worth the detour.
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When I am looking at yachts for sale in Europe it often says "Tax not paid". Which tax is this then? They are clearly moored inside the EU and for sale?

I don't understand why I would have to pay a tax on buying a yacht already in the EU then?
 
EU VAT

Zanziba said:
When I am looking at yachts for sale in Europe it often says "Tax not paid". Which tax is this then? They are clearly moored inside the EU and for sale?

I don't understand why I would have to pay a tax on buying a yacht already in the EU then?
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Probably ex-charter boats, which become VAT-able when sold to individuals.
 
Ubergeekian said:
Who actually checks this?
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Men with hats who work for customs. Very active in ports where boats are likely to enter from outside EU such as eastern Greek ports. They inspect papers and react accordingly. It is illegal to import a boat without paying VAT and complying with RCD (unless exempt) so therefore best to plan for it, recognising that there are advantages of entering via some states rather than others (although there may be practical difficulties). Recognise also that failure to comply may lead not only to penalties but customs placing their own valuation on the yacht and registering a charge on the yacht as well as pursuing the owner/importer.
 
If the boat is in Turkish waters, there's a distinct possiblity that it's Turkish registered. If this is the case, you'll have to transfer ownership to you on that registry before you can de-register it and put it on the SSR. You'll have to visit a couple of offices to do this and I'd suggest that you have a Turkish agent to help you through the process. One point to note is that if the previous owner hasn't been keeping up with all his harour dues, then you'll wind up paying them before the ownership transfer can be completed (got stung like this years ago when I lived in Turkey :eek:).
The moral of the story is to check just what the status of the boat is, both in terms of registry and how up to date any local taxes are. You can mitigate this risk by using a local agent to handle the transaction on your behalf - too long since we lived there to offer any help as to anyone who could help.
 
Thanks to all contributors. I have to say what a good source of information this site is. I know not all that's stated is correct and some to be taken with a pinch of salt but all good for prompting reflection.
Cheers to all.
Dave
 
There are some british surveyors in the Marmaris area - details are usually posted on Marina notice boards or ask around at Happy Hour. I have no experience or feedback concerning their competance
 
Dave100456 said:
Looking for some advice please.
I'm at the early stages of possibly buying a brokerage boat moored in Marmaris. She is owned by a Greek and not VAT paid. I know as UK citizen I'll have to pay VAT when I sail her to the EU.

I would like some advice re:1) appointing a solicitor (UK or Turkey or Greece based) 2) recomendations for a surveyor (do I take UK one out) and 3) formalities for departing Marmaris. Also is there a lot of hassle with having a 2 or 3 month stay in Turkey before deparrting?
Lots of questions. Thanks for any help.
Dave
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Hi Dave,
With regard to having 3 months stay in Turkey before you leave, it depends how long the boat has been continuously in Turkish waters, its only allowed 5 years before it becomes liable for Turkish import duty. I don't think you have to maintain/alter its current registration, you should be able to register it SSR and let the old registration lapse. Could change the name perhaps. Leaving Turkey is no hassle, you just rock up to the customs in the port with the cruising log (which you'll have to had to buy when you became owner as they're not transferrable), ships registration papers and crew list, and crews passports.( they don't have to be there) They'll stamp you out and usually tell you you must leave immediately, tho sometimes they'll tell to leggit within 24 hrs.
 
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