Importing to Gibraltar - tax / customs?

[Anthony]

Hi,

On way down to Gibraltar and one of my GPS's has failed leaving my on my spare. They are SOOOO cheap in the US I thought it maybe a good idea to have one shipped to a Gibraltar marina in time for my arrival (considering it is a tax free area).

Does anyone have any experience of this? Is it likly to just get stuck in customs then get sent back to the US, or take weeks to get thru? Is there any tax or import duty typically payable on items from the US into Gibraltar?

From the few prices I have seen on websites, the cost of items in gibralter is a bit less than the cheapest in the UK, but still far more than from the US.

I know if it came for the US to UK I would expect to pay vat and import duty and handling charge

Any gibraltar import / shopping experinces appreciated!

Thanks Anthony

 

[bbilly]

Sorry can't help on Gib but I am interested to know how much in the US?

Will

 

[ccscott49]

Look at, www.westmarine.com

 

[Sea Devil]

There is no real problem with customs in Gibraltar - I have imported lots of things there and if marked Yacht in Transit normally you pay no duty....

The customs department is a short walk from Shepherds Marina - (ask at the customs house on the entry quay) and they deal with things fairly quickly - if you do not have 'yacht in transit' on the item then they may hit you for 2 or 3% of the value in duty - Gib is basically a duty free port but does have some trade barrieres to protect local shopkeepers.........

 

[absit_omen]

Presumably this is small enough to go in airmail post? You will therefore have to receive it through either Queensqay Quay or Marina Bay Marina Offices. Make sure you can get a berth as they have been full since Sheperds Marina closed.

We had experience of importing to Gib - very heavy Windpilot Self Steering gear. We had it airfreighted from Hamburg and the import process was very simple. Check at the airport freight office that it had arrived. They issue import forms which you take about 200 yards to a customs office, wait at the window while they add the necessary stamps. Return to airport and collect kit. BTW, as you walk in the office there will be half a dozen touts who want to fill in your forms for a tenner. Ignore them, the form is simple. Dont recall paying any charges for anything and the whole process saved us about 10% (of 3k quid). Make sure it is marked 'sy Olli - Yacht in Transit'.

 

[jerryat]

Hi absit omen,

Off thread I know, but but do you know if Sheppard's marina is closed temporarily or permanently? If it's gone for good, it's going to make getting even a transit berth in Gib. extremely difficult I believe. We've never used Sheppard's, but there were a large number of boats/liveaboards that did, and they'll have to go somewhere!

Cheers jerry

 

[absit_omen]

Well, like most things in this part of the world it is difficult getting an accurate answer. Sheppards chandlery is still going but the marina is in the process of being developed into a smart apartment type marina for the less impoverished yachting brothers. This has meant that Marina Bay, in particular, has now filled up and the more expensive Queensway Quay is also in demand.

From our experience, both these marinas are very efficient if you want to book ahead - phone, fax or e mail. They are less supportive if you just show up. Why not give them a ring and explain your situation regarding accepting mail. They must have experience of this sort of thing.

You can always anchor in the bay if things start to drag on but at least you will have made initial contact with the marina.

good luck

 

[pjohnson]

I know this may be a little late, but just got back from gib. As has been said, loads of roumers in Gib, but sheppards marina is definitely closed and I heard they had given everyone a short period to depart. I was also told that queensway quay is is limited due to more development. Marina bay appeared to be taking yachts stopping for a short period but it appears that Gib is becoming very restricted and prices have risen a quite substantially recently.
An employee of sheppards informed me that they are hoping to create a small marina with haul out etc the other side of the runway but that could take years.
Don't know what is true, as I said loads of roumers.