Importing a yacht

[chiefeng]

Don't know if it is common knowledge but having talked to HM customs at the LBS. The best place to import a boat into the EC is through the Azores only 6% tax at the moment. Could work out quite cheep if sailing it from the US.
Thought about doing it a few times but our tax regime is a bit prohibitive.
Rgds
Bob

 

[jwilson]

Last I heard the Azores was the same as Spain at 16%. The island does have a special 6% VAT rate but I didn't think it could be applied to yachts. If what you say is true I need to tell someone who's bringing a boat back, as it's definitely worth coming via Azores if this is the case.

 

[chiefeng]

John,
That's what I thought, but the nice lady was quite positive. I would still do some thorough reserch to ensure I wasn't caught out.
Rgds
Bob