Importing 2 boats to Netherlands from USA.

[Monique]

Hello Gulls and Guys,

A friend owns 2 boats in Chicago: a 25 footer Larson power boat and a 33 foot US built Hunter yacht.

She just joined a company in NL and has brought over her personal effects and furniture. However, the 2 boats are in storage in the US.

She would like to import these into Euro land.

I suggested these boats would be allowed in as she was the registered owner before accepting her new position. I also suggested she contact the manufacturers and enquire about the CE certifications of both boats. I also suggested the CE markings are not necessary unless she wishes to resell.

Does anyone have the complete answer to these questions? In the past, I saw many threads on this subject but the "search" function is now deleted...

Thanks as usual.

 

[tawhiri]

As nobody has replyed yet, I will try to give you my 2 cents worth.
It will depend on the flag state you will be registered under. If you intend to be US flaged then importation will be easier (no RCD or VAT required), but you must depart European waters within 18 months.
However if your flag state will be the Netherlands then you need to comply with the RCD and also VAT needs to be paid.
As the vessels in questions are under 40 feet it is not really economical to import and export, or import and reflag.

 

[EugeneR]

1. This won't stop her physically importing them and regardless of whether anyone checks this in practice or not, but the boats LEGALLY MUST be CE certified before either a) she puts them to use or b) she can sell them. It is worth while checking whether the same make/model has been imported into the EU before and/or that it's likely to pass the CE, before shipping it - talk to CE proof who is very helpful, unlike some others in the industry who will try to prevent you from importing grey/cheap boats.

2. If she owned them outside the EU for longer than 12 months, used them outside the EU for longer than 6, paid VAT outside the EU, is moving her permanent home to the EU and does not intend to sell them for 12 months after import, she may qualify for VAT and duty exemption.

If you want to go ahead, talk to Gunnar Borrmeister of Mayday Watersports in Germany - he makes a living from bringing over motor boats and can do so pretty cheaply - he hangs out on www.boatshop24.com. Also, get the manufacturer to send you the difference in spec for the US and UK models and simply change things where necessary - perhaps they can issue a certificate saying that the boat complied when it was first manufactured. For post-construction CE certification, Gunnar can advise on local agencies for you.

 

[Monique]

Hello Gents,

Thank you for the replies. She should be able to advance her enquiry