Importing from the US

[danh]

Hi

I am considering importing a Sportsboat from the US to benefit from their lower prices and the current Dollar rate.

I wondered if anyone has any experience of doing this i.e. shipping agents, taxes/vat due etc etc etc. I am looking at both new and 2nd hand boats (i.e. I have a friend in the States who can buy it then use it for a month before selling it to me)!

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice?

Thanks

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[Twister_Ken]

Yawn

Sorry Dan, I know you're new around here, but this question has been asked Sooo Many times...

Use the search facility (just under the YBW logo) to track down previous questions and answers.

In a nutshell, the Euro boat-flogging industry is immensly protective and has put up all sorts of barriers to prevent you ripping it off.

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[Oldhand]

You have to pay VAT at the port of import. Contact someone like Peters & May who will handle the whole shipping and import business for you. You then only have 2 simple things to worry about, their handling fee and supplying them with the VAT cash. Make sure you get them to supply a Customs and Excise notice that the VAT has been paid.

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[Twister_Ken]

Rather think you've forgotten about the RCD, Oldhand

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[qsiv]

Possible that a sportsboat could be construed as 'race only' (for boats such as Melges), and thus be exempted.

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[Twister_Ken]

In which case, I'm sure I could race a Hinckley Pilot!

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[qsiv]

I suspect you could - although it would only apply to 'imports' as the builder would normally get the RCD in order to 'place the boat on the market', unless it is a pure race boat. Having said that the new (Jeanneau?) Figaro boats were explicitly built a foot or so bigger in order to get a category 0 (Ocean) classification so they could do the Transat - so they must have elected to get an RCD - perhaps for corporate liability reasons.

IAE, the new rocketship is to be imported under the raceboat exemption clause - still on schedule for May completion, June delivery to Hamble via Panama.

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