Greece to France

[rrees]

We have bought a yacht in Greece about an 1hr West of Athens and are looking to move it to France in the Spring.
The Boat was registered SSR by the previous owner and we have now reregistered it to our details under the SSR
Ships radio licence has been sorted and Boat Insurance including Greece translation.
We have a copy of the original bill of sale between the Greek owner and the previous British owner and there is a stamp that it has been cleared customs .
We were wondering what additional paperwork we would require.
What type of VAT certificate would be required as the bill of sale had a port clearance stamp.
And I have noticed in the group mentioned a Private Pleasure Maritime Document will I require this as I am exiting the Country.

All help would be greatly appreciated
Looked at the RYA site but cannot find what I am looking for

Thanks

 

[MedMan]

You are unlikely to get away without paying any of the Greek taxes. If your new boat is currently ashore you will have to pay a tax to be launched and that will bring you into contact with the Port Police. Even if it is afloat, chances are that you will call into a port somewhere along your route where the Port Police will want to see your papers. The good news is that, in terms of the cost of buying a new boat, the rates are not very high. You don't say how long your new boat is, but for most cruising boats the tax is less than £100.

I could go on and write an essay on the different taxes and forms, which you should be charged and which you shouldn't. However, there is little point in your worrying about it. Every Port Police Office is a law unto itself and you cannot possibly win an argument with them. If you try to make a point they will simply impound your boat until you pay up. I suggest you budget £100 for taxes, smile sweetly and fill in forms when requested.

 

[rrees]

Thanks Medman

Sorry if I caused confusion the boat is a 1994 first Greece registered then sold to a UK citizen then I bought it from them when it was located in the yard which its in at present
HAve paid the yard up to march so have the reciept for that if this helps

Thanks

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Hello . If you have not paid or the previous owner has not paid the Vat i belive the first port of call in the eec you will be billed for the VAT. sorry but the greek police do turn a blind eye to this but the other local countrys do not.
cheers bob t

boss1

 

[HenryB]

I'm sorry, but I think that you will need to pay the VAT. It was common for Greek owners to buy their yachts "for business" to get around having to pay VAT. In theory the yachts were for charter but rarely were. VAT then becomes due when the yacht is sold for private use. Before you leave Greece you should get a clearance document and this involves the Port Police, Customs and Passport Police and I suspect that this is where your VAT issue will arise.

I suggest that you telephone a company called "Yacht Fractions" who specialise in selling Greek yachts to U.K. buyers. They were most helpful when I called them, even though I wasn't buying from them. They have a web site (www.yachtfractions.co.uk - I think) and it gives their telephone number.

My own yacht hasn't had VAT paid on it, but it has always been UK registered and was in Greece on the 1st Jan 1993, so becomes VAT exempt (I think). Unfortunately Greece didn't issue VAT exemption certificates so I won't really know how I stand until I return to more enthusiastically policed countries - as as you are heading to one of the most heavily policed (France) it would be better to get is all sorted out in Greece!

The RYA have a booklet that covers some aspects of this - it's either in their "Buying a boat" booklet or in the one about "Formalities cruising the Med".

Let us know how you get on,