How to import a 2nd hand boat from USA to UK?

[ds797]

Does anyone know how to go about importing a 2nd hand boat from USA to the UK?

I am guessing I need to pay VAT on the purchase price to UK Revenue, organise shipping, get it CE certifited? Is that about it?

Anyone know anything about CE certification? Is it a problem?

Cheers.

 

[jamesjermain]

You've pretty much got it in one. VAT, transport and the cost of RCD Certification can wipe out any advantage there might have been in buying in the USA, although people still do it and say they save money.

As far as the RCD is concerned, look at JONDAVIS's post. The RYA will be able to give you advice and also an information pack that leads you through the process. The main commercial operation handling RCD compliance is CE Proof but they are not cheap. I have, in the past, suggested the cheap and simple option of a DIY Category D but this is really an 'if all else fails, get out of a jam' option and not advisable as a long term solution

 

[Twister_Ken]

ds,

This ? crops up once a month or so. Use the search function and you should find plenty of info, some of it may even be accurate.

 

[neale]

When deciding on VAT amount, C&E will take purchase price, add shipping costs, add import duty and the take 17.5% of the total. so VAT bill is always bigger than expected.

 

[Whitelighter]

FYI, import duty on a yacht/boat is currently 1.9% of the purchase price.

 

[Harveydog27]

Do boats that are currently available on mass in the UK need CE certification if they are brought in from the UK? once that model of boat has been certified in the past at some point, does that qualify all boats made to the same design?

 

[duncan]

yes it needs it adn know it's not a type certification

 

[Seven Spades]

If it is a modern boat, it might well hasve as CE mark/plate even though it was first registered outside the EU, in which case you will only have to worry about duty and VAT.