wonging
New member
Like many on here ive been attracted recently to the possibilty of buying and importing a used boat from the USA with the intention of saving a few quid along the way, ive read quiet a few of the threads on here which have been very informative, however there seems to be alot of confusion as to the legalities of importing a used boat from accross the pond.
The Recreational Craft Directive which came into force on the 16th June 1998
states the following:
Special Note Regarding Used Craft
The Directive requires that used craft being imported and placed on the market in the EEA for the first time, or being put into service in the EEA for the first time, are CE marked. However, the requirements of the Directive make no special provision for used craft and are such that it is impossible for second hand craft to comply with them. This means that used craft cannot be CE marked and therefore cannot be legally imported into the EEA. This anomaly in the Directive is well known about among member states but there are no immediate plans to rectify it. There are amendments to the Directive tabled for about 2003, but it is unlikely that these will include any changes regarding used craft. This means that the importation of used craft into the EEA is likely to remain illegal for the foreseeable future.
Craft which have been used in the EU prior to the date of full implementation of the Directive are exempt from its requirements. For the purposes of these exemption the waters of dependencies of EU member states are also considered as EUterritory.
Therefore the above leaves me with the conclusion that i cannot legally import a used boat even if it was manufactured before 16th June 1998 without having it CE certified at such a high prohibitive cost as to negate any major saving as opposed to buying the same used boat in the UK.
I know some of you have recently imported pre 1998 used boats and you have given the impression that you have not had them CE certified, if this is the case, then can you tell me what your insurance companies attitude was to this situation, are you insured with a company which specialises in grey imports, are you insured at all?
Regards
Wong
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The Recreational Craft Directive which came into force on the 16th June 1998
states the following:
Special Note Regarding Used Craft
The Directive requires that used craft being imported and placed on the market in the EEA for the first time, or being put into service in the EEA for the first time, are CE marked. However, the requirements of the Directive make no special provision for used craft and are such that it is impossible for second hand craft to comply with them. This means that used craft cannot be CE marked and therefore cannot be legally imported into the EEA. This anomaly in the Directive is well known about among member states but there are no immediate plans to rectify it. There are amendments to the Directive tabled for about 2003, but it is unlikely that these will include any changes regarding used craft. This means that the importation of used craft into the EEA is likely to remain illegal for the foreseeable future.
Craft which have been used in the EU prior to the date of full implementation of the Directive are exempt from its requirements. For the purposes of these exemption the waters of dependencies of EU member states are also considered as EUterritory.
Therefore the above leaves me with the conclusion that i cannot legally import a used boat even if it was manufactured before 16th June 1998 without having it CE certified at such a high prohibitive cost as to negate any major saving as opposed to buying the same used boat in the UK.
I know some of you have recently imported pre 1998 used boats and you have given the impression that you have not had them CE certified, if this is the case, then can you tell me what your insurance companies attitude was to this situation, are you insured with a company which specialises in grey imports, are you insured at all?
Regards
Wong
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