Importing yacht from USA

Thanks, but the original request wasn't for info on RCD. As I posted earlier "I just wouldn't buy anything that wasn't RCD exempt, i.e. if it was built in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998 or was in use in the EEA prior to the same date."
As to US-built Bennies, I wouldn't touch one unless they're EC-plated. For all I know they are, although I rather doubt it. But I'm not after a Beneteau anyway, although others readers of this thread might be.
 
Sorry I can't progress your original request, Mac. I therefore hesitate to post as I detect some understandable frustration. But I'll risk it! Some 4 years back I approached a US manufacturer who I know has produced vessels complying with EU RCD. It was made clear that 'normal' US production was not CE plated/or compliant....but we can make you one!
Good hunting!
 
Importing yacht from USA and previously only registered in USA

Hi
Sorry to be slightly off topic. But if you were planning to keep your boat in Croatia (non EU at the moment) and you had a UK chandlery or charter business - you could quite reasonably pay the VAT to the UK and claim it back as a reasonable business purchase. Why pay the Vat if in Croatia (since you could simply sail out of the area every 18 months to aviod VAT) you may ask - well chartering the boat may not be possible in Croatia if the boat is not 'official' - from what I know its highly regulated there.

Any comments are very welcome.
Cheers, Antony
 
I wish!
/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gifIn the UK you are charged VAT on the 'Landed Value' of the boat. This means they assess the UK market value of the boat (usually well above what you paid for it or what you'd actually sell for in UK- I think they have a browse through brokerage adverts), the costs of transporting the boat to the UK including any delivery skipper fees,any equipment or upgrades you've done since purchase, insurance costs for the boat,port dues and import duty (not the same thing as VAT) and then charge VAT on the total amount.

The Bill of Sale bears little resemblence to the final amount that they use to assess VAT.
The UK has got to be one of the worst countries for importing a boat into the EU.
 
The same grounds I mentioned before. This is them in full (from the RCD Compliance Guide):
A boat does not need to comply with the RCD if:-
It is one of the exclusions listed in Appendix 2
It was built in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998
It was in use in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998
It is only visiting the EEA for reasons of tourism or in transit (time scales are undefined)

For what it matters, the boat has been in the US since new.
 
I'm afraid it matters a great deal.
The exemptions you state cease to be valid if the boat has been outside the EU for more than a year.

I'm afraid you will find that your boat will now be treated in the same manner as a new boat being imported into the EU.

You will be regarded as the importer of a new vessel and will be subject to all the many vagaries of the RCD.
 
Could you provide the authority for that? The RCD guidelines document gives no mention of any time limit (except of course for temporary imports). Incidentally, the EU has nothing to do with this (I don't even live in the EU). The relevant area is the EEA (in which, as it happens, I also don't live).
 
The suggestion that exemption can lapse may be so, although I can find no evidence of it (not even in the original statutory instrument). Incidentally, most of the supposed authorities on RCD seem to get at least one aspect wrong, in referring to the Appendix 2 vessels (mainly marginal stuff, canoes, racing vessels, etc) as 'exemptions' when the legislation is very specific in calling them 'exclusions'. A small point, but it serves to muddy these murky waters even further.

Back to your suggestions about RCD exemption lapsing after a year: this seems improbable both in terms of logic (not always the best guide with legislation, I grant you) and of enforcement.

Imagine a yacht (my current one, for instance, built 1977) which is beyond any doubt RCD exempt. It carries nothing official which says 'This vessel is exempt from RCD compliance' because no such document exists. It merely carries evidence of age and/or place of manufacture.

Now imagine the same vessel exported from the EEA for, say, 3 years, then returning. It would still carry the same documents, and the same lack of official notice of exemption.

So how can it not comply just as well as it did before? And if it didn't, where's the evidence?

Just a thought -- perhaps too simple a one. Look forward to your observations.
 
hello to one and all. heres my question . ive just realised that i could GET A LOAN (20000) buy a 50' house boat in the usa(5000) and get it over here (10000). as far as i know the remaining five grand would not be enough to satisfy the vat man.should i CAN the idea/dream.
1. would there be a problem with a GIBSON ?
I have no real knowledge of boats but im loving the prospect of a REAL home of my own and a list of precautions / need to knows would be so helpful.
the moorings and debt would come to what im paying in rent right now. I do like a challenge so im not easily deterred but any financial miscalulations/unknowns are the real problem.
2. would a fibreglass houseboat be suitable for UK waters?
3. would i get nicked for having a usa registered boat here?
4.can it be re-registered? OR how would it not be suitable?
thanks for any help.
 
OH YES is there a way of getting some form of Quote from the vat man or a DRY RUN if you like. what does my head in is the fact that (from reading your posts ) that whatever shape you buy a boat in (shabby, deck needs sorting etc..)
would the tax man even consider this???
 
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