Import Tax on used boats

[lwashburn]

We live in the USA and are thinking about purchasing a yacht in Hong Kong and having it shipped on a cargo ship to the US. Does anyone know the import tax or Duty or hidden fees for bringing in a used boat to the US?
I had heard that if you purchase a foreign boat and take possession in international waters there is not any tax, but that was for a new vessel.
We are planning on bringing it to Seattle Washington

 

[domlee]

Quote:

"I had heard that if you purchase a foreign boat and take possession in international waters there is not any tax"

As far as I understand the situation, Americans can (at their own descretion) possess any foreign property provided they eliminate any claim to such property via a process of extreme prejudice or rendering, via a third country, claims to such property and declaring such claims as being void as per their own definition as being void.

Otherwise, as far as I understand the situation, you can import the vessel to an 'adverserial' country such as Cuba or Canada (or, perhaps any country begining with a 'C') and, if you approach the proper/suitable individual in Penslvannia Avenue may actually receive remuneration for liberating said vessel from a dire future in the hands of such said/perceived individuals that may not honour/respect said vessel.

It is worth a try!


(In memory of Spike Milligan - the greatest Irishman that ever lived - gone but not forgotten)

 

[Blueboatman]

As a Brit ,I officially imported my British yacht in to the States some years ago.I THINK import tax was 2% of the value(so little that I used the purchase price value instead of bothering with a valuation survey).With fees at 40 bucks and the paperwork being completed in the Baltimore federal building one afternoon ,the process seemed incredibly easy and good value!

 

[Birdseye]

I think you might get a more sensible answer either on a US forum or alternatively from Uncle Sam.

 

[domlee]

Pensylvania Avenue = Uncle Sam! Duh....