Importing a boat from outside of the UK and EU

[Millie DB]

Has anybody here imported a boat from outside the UK and EU since Brexit, and had it delivered to the Med?
What happens with Customs in the EU and what should I expect? (what do I need to do to avoid issues)
The boat will be UK registered and insured.
The permanent base for the boat will be Cape Verde.
Any information or guidance will be gratefully received

 

[jfm]

There isn't such a thing as EU customs at a practical level. You will be importing into the EU in one of the EU countries. You will need an agent to handle the import paperwork for that particular country for you, whether you are paying VAT or Temp Importing (you don't day which). I can give you a good contact for France importations but I don't know anyone for Cap Verde/Portugal if that's the first point of entry to EU.
The above focusses on VAT. There my be a small customs duty if the boat is under 10m (iirc).

 

[Millie DB]

There isn't such a thing as EU customs at a practical level. You will be importing into the EU in one of the EU countries. You will need an agent to handle the import paperwork for that particular country for you, whether you are paying VAT or Temp Importing (you don't day which). I can give you a good contact for France importations but I don't know anyone for Cap Verde/Portugal if that's the first point of entry to EU.
The above focusses on VAT. There my be a small customs duty if the boat is under 10m (iirc).

The boat will be unloaded at Mallorca, stay for a few days to let the boat settle and ensure all systems are good, then it will be leaving the Med at the first opportunity, it is the Temporary importation I need to understand and the process and what pitfalls I need to avoid.

 

[Refueler]

As far as I understand it .... still today since the Independence of Cape Verde islands - they still are not members of EU ... its still in limbo ..

 

[jon and michie]

@Tranona is the one to ask

 

[Millie DB]

As far as I understand it .... still today since the Independence of Cape Verde islands - they still are not members of EU ... its still in limbo ..

I know that CV is independent, my concern is how the boat will be treated by Customs when it is unloaded in the Med (Mallorca) the boat will never return to the Med nor will it ever enter UK waters.

 

[Refueler]

I know that CV is independent, my concern is how the boat will be treated by Customs when it is unloaded in the Med (Mallorca) the boat will never return to the Med nor will it ever enter UK waters.

Surely then - if you have all paperwork in order - it would be a Temporary Import action only with no fees ?? other than handling ?? Seems like a visit to local Customs House is in order ??

 

[st599]

Where are you resident? Without that, no-one can tell if you can have an EU TA or not.

 

[Tranona]

I know that CV is independent, my concern is how the boat will be treated by Customs when it is unloaded in the Med (Mallorca) the boat will never return to the Med nor will it ever enter UK waters.

Only the local customs can tell you exactly as they are responsible for applying EU rules hence the advice to engage a customs agent in Mallorca. The basic EU rules on VAT allow non residents to keep a boat in the EU under Temporary Admission for 18 months for personal use. You already say the boat is UK registered which meets the second condition that it must be registered outside the EU. So if you are non EU resident you should have no problems with your plan.

 

[Millie DB]

I am a UK resident, I just rang the shipping agent in Mallorca, and it all seems very straight forward, pay them a fee prior to the boat arriving, they deal with everything, they will sort out the TA and apparently it is very simple

 

[jfm]

Have you got a strategy to manage the CV VAT when the boat arrives there? Or just cash-pay it.

 

[Millie DB]

Have you got a strategy to manage the CV VAT when the boat arrives there? Or just cash-pay it.

Yes, the aim is to register it as a CV boat and thus pay the Vat there.

 

[matt_lake]

Has anybody here imported a boat from outside the UK and EU since Brexit, and had it delivered to the Med?
What happens with Customs in the EU and what should I expect? (what do I need to do to avoid issues)
The boat will be UK registered and insured.
The permanent base for the boat will be Cape Verde.
Any information or guidance will be gratefully received

Does the boat in question have an RCD build certificate and CE markings? Grey imports often look attractively priced, but you will have to factor in a retrospective RCD inspection if you want to sell the boat in the EU or UK in the future.