How much longer can we keep low tax fuel?

Gumpy

Gumpy

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EU Commission requests United Kingdom to ensure private boats do not use lower taxed fuel
The European Commission has formally requested the United Kingdom to amend its legislation to ensure that private pleasure boats such as luxury yachts can no longer buy lower taxed fuel intended for fishing boats. Under EU rules on fiscal marking for fuels, fuel that can benefit from a reduced tax rate has to be marked by coloured dye. Fishing vessels for example are allowed to benefit from fuel subject to a lower tax rate but private boats must use fuel subject to a standard rate.
Currently the UK law does not impose fuel distributors to have two separate fuel tanks, one with marked fuel subject to a lower tax rate and the other with regular fuel subject to a standard tax rate. As a consequence, private leisure boats can not only use fuel intended for fishing vessels but also risk heavy penalties if they travel to another Member State and the ship is controlled by the local authorities.
The Commission's request takes the form of a reasoned opinion. In the absence of a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission may refer the United Kingdom to the EU's Court of Justice.
(for more information: E. Traynor - Tel. +32 229 21548 - Mobile +32 498 98 3871)
 
It may be lower taxed fuel but even with the 60/40 split it is more expensive than we have generally been paying on the continent including IVA.
 
Hopefully the RYA will be on the case (again).

But if that is an accurate description of the complaint, then it won't go very far.
Leisure boats in the UK do not use "low tax fuel" for propulsion.
It's physically the same stuff as the low tax fuel, but duty is paid on it via the self-declaration system.
 
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Hardly a mess, more a practical solution.

Most marine fuel sellers in the UK are small, and it would be impractical (costs) to have separate tanks for marked / un-marked fuels.
If this were mandated, then most would probably switch to be either "commercial only" or "leisure only", which will drastically reduce the available number of leisure fuel facilities: bad news for everyone, apart from one disgruntled Belgian MEP with an axe to grind. The amount of tax collected on marine fuels is peanuts overall.
 
FlowerPower said:
Hopefully the RYA will be on the case (again).

But if that is an accurate description of the complaint, then it won't go very far.
Leisure boats in the UK do not use "low tax fuel" for propulsion.
It's physically the same stuff as the low tax fuel, but duty is paid on it via the self-declaration system.
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Doubt the RYA will have any influence. Will have to wait and see what the response is from HMG. They were waiting for the decision of the Commission. Up to them whether they decide to take it further to the Court.
 
FlowerPower said:
Hardly a mess, more a practical solution.

Most marine fuel sellers in the UK are small, and it would be impractical (costs) to have separate tanks for marked / un-marked fuels.
If this were mandated, then most would probably switch to be either "commercial only" or "leisure only", which will drastically reduce the available number of leisure fuel facilities: bad news for everyone, apart from one disgruntled Belgian MEP with an axe to grind. The amount of tax collected on marine fuels is peanuts overall.
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As are the continental`s, they seem to manage & with bio fuel as well.
Le Harve is the only place i know that has road fuel pumps available @ LW + 2 hrs
 
Can the EU legally tell the UK how to tax its inhabitants? Do we tell anyone else in the EU how much or little tax they have to pay on things? First the bank transaction tax being forced down our throat, how much we pay migrants benefits who haven't really contributed and now how much duty is placed on our fuel - and people wonder why UKIP are all the rage:confused:

On a more personal note I do wonder why petrol powered boats cannot claim the same though - we have batteries to charge too :p
 
" First the bank transaction tax being forced down our throat"


Are we taking about the same bankers have have carefully guided us through difficult stormy waters and thoughtfully taken great care of the UK plc piggy bank ....and without any financial reward or personal gain for themselves.....surely not.
Do tell:)
 
oldgit said:
" First the bank transaction tax being forced down our throat"


Are we taking about the same bankers have have carefully guided us through difficult stormy waters and thoughtfully taken great care of the UK plc piggy bank ....and without any financial reward or personal gain for themselves.....surely not.
Do tell:)
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I dont recall mentioning anything to do with bankers - this tax also has nothing to do with the mess the banks got into across Europe. Its a tax on the British finance sector and the London powerhouse for being so successful - no other country in Europe will be paying a fraction of what the UK will - if they did it wouldn't be happening.

Probably best in the lounge but I'm not sure you can blame the banking sector fully for failed regulation by our past government(s), a growth economy built on debt and consumers over stretching themselves - surely they should take a bit of responsibility? They must have known that those holidays, cars, sofa's, conservatories etc had to be paid back at some point?

Back to split duty diesel.....:)
 
Didn't vote for it, don't believe in it, and at any opportunity not to I won't pay for it either. My Father (God bless him) didn't drive that tank through North Africa for four years for it either? Bring it on (or should I say out) UKIP !
 
How does it work here regarding this 60/ 40 split between propulsion and heating?

Is there a formal declaration ( tax return) to be made? If I buy a diesel engine boat with no heating, would I have to declare the fuel is all for propulsion ?

I don't really agree that fishing boats and farmers vehicles ( not just in the UK, but across Europe) should get fuel for propulsion uses that is taxed at a much lower rate than for any other use . They use that fuel to run a profitable business after all, almost all other businesses (I'm not sure about airlines though) have to buy fuel for propulsion taxed at the full rate. I know in theory farmers only use red diesel off road, but just go to any country market ( e.g. Beeston near Tarporley) and watch almost all the new 4x4s disappear rapidly when the rumour starts that Customs & Excise ( HMRC) are about to raid the site to dip tanks !
 
GrahamHR said:
How does it work here regarding this 60/ 40 split between propulsion and heating?

Is there a formal declaration ( tax return) to be made? If I buy a diesel engine boat with no heating, would I have to declare the fuel is all for propulsion ?

I don't really agree that fishing boats and farmers vehicles ( not just in the UK, but across Europe) should get fuel for propulsion uses that is taxed at a much lower rate than for any other use . They use that fuel to run a profitable business after all, almost all other businesses (I'm not sure about airlines though) have to buy fuel for propulsion taxed at the full rate. I know in theory farmers only use red diesel off road, but just go to any country market ( e.g. Beeston near Tarporley) and watch almost al the new 4x4s disappear rapidly when the rumour starts that Customs & Excise ( HMRC) are about to raid the site to dip tanks !
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Go to the RYA site
chapter & verse there
 
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