I'm dreaming of my world cruise but do not understand VAT which is a big chunk of the initial cost. I will not be in the EU all the time but I love the med. What should I do?
Followed the link and the first word, in large letters, was 'Sorry'. That must be a first for HMC&E /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (site offline for the weekend).
If you are exporting goods from the EU it is possible to buy VAT-free or reclaim the VAT, provided you sort out the paperwork first. I can't begin to advise on the process. Bear in mind that if you come back You'll have to pay it then, but at market rather than new value. You could even take advantage of the low rate in the Azores and pay there.
I put my boat on the ssr but bought it outside the eu and have not paid vat yet, and not been asked for any proof of vat paid as of yet, although only been to spain and morocco so far.
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I put my boat on the ssr but bought it outside the eu and have not paid vat yet, and not been asked for any proof of vat paid as of yet, although only been to spain and morocco so far.
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IMHO this may be sound advice but is it really a good idea FOR YOU to publish such on the world wide web?
I am sure some overseas customs officials could possibly read English, may well have an interest in boating, have jotted down your details, and might just cause the skipper some inconvenience in the future......
Of course - it the boat is not yours but your sworn enemy's - nice one.
I think, in reality, that if you have a European production boat nobody is going to ask for a vat receipt. How many people on this forum owning (used) boats have got the original sales bill? How many have got 100% proof of tax paid?
In countries other than your own it is very very very unlikely.
Of course if you have a USA or South African model you could well have demands for proof made...
Eloise,
don't take things so much for granted! As an example, last summer there has been a big fuss on italian sailing magazines as it seemed that FRENCH custom police were harassing italian sailors who entered french waters with what for italian rules is a "natante", a boat of any type under 10 meters of lenght and under 40 HP; the fact is that a "natante" is not registered, so it possibly cannot prove its nationality and thus could be object of smuggling (smuggling the boat, that is and dodging VAT regulations).
As a matter of fact I must say that an enquiry made by me directly to the head office of Franch Custom Office in Paris resulted in an answer within 48 hours explaining that it was sufficient to prove the ownership of the boat was of a E.U. citizen and that included: A) Invoice of the sale with name of the owner, or B) Insurance policy for civil responsibility of the damages caused by the boat (such as for the car)in the name of the owner, or finally C) notary declaration by the effective owner that a third party is conducting the boat.
Two months later the magazines were relaying the same infos, giving great merits to the italian Coast Guard for defining the accord.
(by the way my mails to italian authorities are still to be answered).
SO, the French could decide to have an inquisitive attitude toward any not officially registered boat in french waters.
Of course this is mostly theoretical as in thirty years of sailing between italian coast and Corse nobody ever asked me anything other than paying harbour fees; of course a sailing boat is by definition les questionable than a motor boat.
Cheers,
Gianenrico
Swedish registered boat, have the bill of sale when I bought her used. American (singlehand) captain, cruising to Morocco. Anybody know of specific problems here?