emmigrating by boat

[tyce]

hi,
im in the early stages of planning a move to kiwi, and i am planning on sailing from the u.k and taking approx a year to get out there.
has anyone done something similar or does any one have some advice.

 

[wishbone]

Yep! advice is do it before you change yer mind! should have done it years ago, sold our house before Christmas we are getting out of the uk I'le switch the light off on the way out...escaping blair/gordons world of tax, tax, and even more tax!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[anglo_saxon]

might see you out there plan on taking 2-3 years to get there though.
leaving uk may june next year.
should start up a leaving the uk club.......

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]

should start up a leaving the uk club.......

[/ QUOTE ]

Count me in!

Looks like my leaving date's slipping tho - from 2006 to 2007 /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Still, have gone too far, spent too much money to turn back now. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Nich39Nige]

Count me in too. Departure date is the last week in August. Two more trips to Baku and final getting ready time............starting to sweat. My wife has starting asking if I want all my clothes. Already got rid of suits and ties and my son's flat is full of "heirlooms". Work has never been easier.

 

[Talbot]

My destination is Aus, in abt 5 years. Might I recommend passage planner software
and also the free ocean passages of the world from here
and other docs from here

 

[Nat]

And Me. Probally another year, just getting regular income set up & then adios amigos.

 

[summerwind]

Thanks for the links - excellent

 

[gcoulson]

Ha Ha! Me too! Departing UK in July with wife and kids for NZ on our Nic 35. Job ends in 5 weeks - can't wait.

Gerard

 

[Shanta]

Quote:
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should start up a leaving the uk club.......

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The web aint big enough.



Dont wait till your ready just go. The time will never be right.
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
We already done it. Left August 2000.

 

[anglo_saxon]

counting the days, no second thoughts. i envy those that are leaving this year and wish you all the best. still lots to do before we depart and its good to read the threads of others that are also taking the plunge.

 

[Nich39Nige]

Just got back from Weir Quay where Mike Hooton is tarting Shearwater up. The yard is doing a great job. Working away means that I just haven't the time to work on her myself this winter. Being an expat means that I have to PSE until end of July.

She is looking sooooo good!

Will I see you in the Caneries?

 

[Ric]

I am planning on doing the same as you. I looked into it in some detail and emailed and phoned the NZ customs service. It is unfortunately a rather expensive plan, as when you arrive you can only stay in NZ waters for six months before you have to pay NZ sales tax (17.5% or so) and import duties (3-4% iirc). This applies to both new and second-hand boats. So it only makes sense if you can buy a non-VAT paid boat in Europe. If the boat is second-hand, the value is calculated by a surveyor. If a brand new boat, then it is based on the cost. You could try getting a boatyard to build just a hull (and present that as the cost) and then "lose" all the bills for the equipment, as the rather helpful kiwi customs officer suggested!

 

[Ships_Cat]

I have just double checked on this - those immigating to NZ may enter their boat free of all taxes and duties. The rules you refer to only apply to visitors (who sell their boats) or other importation.

I will not give the link on the NZ Customs Service Site as it is long and may change regularly, however I assume they will not mind me posting what they say (as on 23Feb05 NZDT):


When No Customs Charges Apply

The following conditions are strictly applied and the New Zealand Customs Service has no discretionary licence to adapt them to suit particular circumstances. If these conditions cannot be met, the boat or aircraft will be considered a non-concessionary import and Customs charges will be payable...

...Immigrants

Immigrants may import boats and aircraft without payment of Customs charges, subject to certain conditions. For Customs purposes, an immigrant is considered to be a person coming to New Zealand to take up permanent residence (residence lasting indefinitely) for the first time.

In order to qualify for concessionary entry, the following conditions must be met in full:
you are coming to New Zealand for the first time and you have the legal authority to take up permanent residence. Brief holidays or exploratory visits do not exclude a person from qualifying for this concession
you have personally owned and used the boat or aircraft for at least one year before the date of your departure for New Zealand, or the date on which the boat or aircraft is surrendered for shipping, or the date of its departure for New Zealand where the boat or aircraft is imported other than as cargo, whichever is earlier
you give a written undertaking that if the boat or aircraft is sold or otherwise disposed of within two years from the date of importation, you will make payment of the Customs charges that would normally have been payable
in the case of boats, you give a written undertaking that the boat will not be used in a commercial capacity for hire, or for the transport of cargo or the carriage of passengers for reward, within two years of importation.

We are very nice here to saily type immigrants, 'tis a pity other countries are not the same.

{Edit: I should add that NZ citizens who have lived overseas for more than a certain time (21 months if I recall correctly) may also bring a boat back with them free of charges if returning permanently. If they do not meet those criteria the same requirements as a normal import entry applies which is 12-1/2% GST, 0 - 7.5% duty (varies according to country of origin), and a admin fee ($18 I think).

However, for visitors there is not a natural application of the GST and duty if the stay exceeds the maximum period, there are provisions for boats here for maintenance and also for extensions of which there seem to be plenty of foreign boats taking advantage of).}

John