Duty on parts sent to USA for 'yacht in transit'

[Erico]

Duty on parts sent to USA for \'yacht in transit\'

I am on the point of ordering a new mainsail from my UK based sailmaker. The British registered boat is in the US and I propose to have the sailmaker send the sail marked 'yacht in transit' to a marina to await my arrival.

What is the danger of the US customs charging the courier duty (which would obviously be recharged to me) and what rate do they apply?

I don't really want to get into the business of having to reclaim duty paid from customs when I leave the States 3 months later as though the boat was duty paid when I bought it, I will have stayed for nearly 2 years after purchase and I'd rather not attract their attention if I can avoid it. Maybe I'm paranoid.

Many thanks for your help.

Eric

 

[Lizzie_B]

Re: Duty on parts sent to USA for \'yacht in transit\'

Why are you having the sail made in the UK when they are cheaper in the USA?
From my experience they're usually quicker as well. Then you would have no problem with the import thing.

From my understanding of US boating law, I would say it's unlikely you would be counted 'in transit' if you've been there 2years. When you say bought 'duty paid' what duty and to who?
PM me with the details if you don't feel able to post them here.
A lot depends on the boat's purchase and post purchase history and what state she has been in.

 

[SimonJ]

Re: Duty on parts sent to USA for \'yacht in transit\'

My experience is that sails are much more expensive in USA. Best value is S Africa or Far East. You should be ok on imports to USA, but ...
If you can take delivery in St Martin (if you are going that way) you can be sure to get stuff reliably and duty free!

 

[Lizzie_B]

Re: Duty on parts sent to USA for \'yacht in transit\'

I was comparing US to UK, not any other places, and I have found on like for like quotes that sails in the USA are the same price to considerably less in the USA than the UK. You then have to add in the shipping costs, and given the circumstances of the boat in the US it would be extremely unlikely that they would escape import duty.

Also in the USA I have found there is a much better organised secondhand sail market as well. In fact, if anyone in the forum can advise on a reliable source of secondhand sails in the UK I'd be very grateful as I'm looking for some.

 

[prober6295]

Re: Duty on parts sent to USA for \'yacht in transit\'

SEA TEACH usually have selection of Second hand sails