Import from the good ole US of A

[Guest]

Hi There,
Does anyone have experience of importing a used boat from the US?

My cunning plan ?! is to buy on the East coast of the states (a lot more boat for the £. Would probably want to sail it back to Northern spain, to import into Europe and pay VAT, before returning to the UK to reregister it as British.

I guess my questions are:

1. Boat age probably mid 70's early 80's. Do CE regulations apply?
2. Spain tend to charge VAT on sale price, rather than a 'valuation' is this correct?
3. Are there any pitfalls to watch out for?
4. How much is part 1 registration likely to cost in the uk?

Any help as always gratefully received.
Colin
Galago
Brighton


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jregan]

I am looking into purchasing in the US or Mexico due to the amount of choice and price. I however do not intend coming back to UK , but I think you would be liable for VAT and have to get the boat CE certified.

As for registration the research I have done seems to suggest registering under part 3 SSR register (Small Ships Regiter) which costs about £12 and requires no survey or tonnage report. You would however need to get the yacht de-registered from the US and the USCG (if registered with them) and it would be wise for a search to be made to ensure it is free of liens. This can be done by yacht agents and I think the SSR registration can be done by yourself. I am still clarifying the above but think it is correct.

Hope this helps!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your help, good luck with you search! I'm looking at a Hudson Force 50 probably, seems a lot of boat for the money.
I had hoped that older boats were exempt from CE regulations. Perhaps someone else can give a definitive answer. to that one.
I was aware of VAT, but intend to import if possible into Spain, therefore paying VAT on purchase price (or bill of sale ;-) ) only.
Once again many thanks
Colin
Galago

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mdrifter]

We're thinking of doing something similar and have friends who have already done so! They have told me that they de-registered from USA and re-reg in UK no problem. They also are "living aboard" for at least 1 year which according to info they have from UK Customs will mean that they will not have to pay VAT upon entry into the CE...Proof of "living aboard" will be receipts from marinas, etc...
As yet we don't know enough but are researching boats with sails to see if anything catches our eye...Where are you searching - we're using yachtworld.com
All the best and any useful info would be much appreciated.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[claudio]

Be very carefull!!
I hear there are a lot of hurricane damaged boats going cheap, some are insurance write-offs that have been bought as salvage and have 'bodged' repairs'.

I'd get a very good US surveyor to go over the boat with a fine tooth comb.


Good Luck



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[beneteau_305_553]

I bought my Beneteau in the west Indies and sailed back single handed last year. Took 6 weeks to Lowestoft via Bermuda, Azores and N. Spain, France. Lots of boats available and usally good prices.


Paid Vat in Uk. Just filled in the form. produced a bill of sale and the VAT was paid on that value.

I registered the boat in the uk before sailing it here.

If its a big boat (over 12 m ) you can pay VAT in the Azores at only 10 %. 12 % for smaller boats but you have to pay an import agent (2%) and there is the cash transfer to euros. But its then its VAT paid for anywhere in Europe.

I've got the Icom 710 SSB radio transmitter for sale. Send a pm if intersted



<hr width=100% size=1>Richard<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by beneteau_305_553 on 26/09/2003 18:24 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[qsiv]

Part 1 for a 50 will be pricey - you might have to fly a suitably approved surveyor out from UK - I hear a rumour that there is one who works out of Puerto Rico, but none on US mainland. Under 40 feet you can do your own tonnage declaration for part 1 (if my memory serves me correctly) - refer to MCA website to double check


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[30boat]

What about CE certification?Surely you'll have to go through that.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jregan]

Hi Richard,

Did you register it under part 3 SSR ot part 1?

Thanks

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Paulka]

Spanish VAT

You may have to pay spanish VAT based on either valuation, or bill of sale, as long as the declared value sounds "reasonable".

But, and this is a big "but" : the boat will then be considered a spanish boat, wich must be "registered", and this will cost you an additional 12% "registration tax". Even worse, the 12% will be calculated on an "administrative value", which can be very different from the value on which the VAT is calculated.

I think it's wiser to "clear" the boat in the Azores, thus in Portugal, or then in GB, unless you intend to settle in Spain.

Hope this helps.

Paul





<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Solitaire]

As long as the boat was built prior to 1998 no CE certification is required.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboat-training.co.uk>Serious</A> Fun

 

[circumnavigation]

had many a good boat information sent by this company:

<-http://www.cppyacht.com/->

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.mpcee.co.uk/katoema.html

 

[beneteau_305_553]

The yacht had been used in Europe before going to the west indies so it was exempt. However nobody asked for any paperwork.

<hr width=100% size=1>Richard

 

[beneteau_305_553]

I registered part 3

Again no one asked for a registration certificate.

If you have a Uk address the part 3 registration is only £12

<hr width=100% size=1>Richard