local import duty

[msvob34]

just a question if one buys a boat in the EEC and the boat is registered to a UK vendor (although moored and kept abroad) how does one find out if the the duty has been paid or indeed the boat is imported to that country ?/or is it best to buy UK then cruise to port of choice and take it from there?
Part two.
I have a 10m motorsailer and am thinking of living aboard in the Med Advice please 1 to hire a skipper and motor/sail there.or transport it down (road)reason for the skipper I am not that experienced and single and would not wish to fall foul of the "Biscay"/or do i do the canals?
thanks Jeff msvob34

 

[DavidJ]

When you buy a second hand boat the original (from new) receipt showing that VAT has been paid should go with it. I'm sure many do but I would'nt touch a foreign transation without this piece of paper (the original)
Part 2
If you have flexibility then you could arrange with a transport company to take your boat to the Med when they have a return booking. In this way I had mine (11m) transported down for £2500

 

[DavidJ]

I've just spotted that you're new...welcome!

 

[msvob34]

thanks for the welcome

 

[msvob34]

thnx for the advice thats a good idea.I would love to motor/sail.........but my old tub... She's a 1963 carvel/oak on pine..ketch rigged, twin diesels Ford/parsons-pike..112hp(similar design to miller-fifer)built in Aberdour pretty good shape overall ok on and around the thames estuary..would love to get her to warmer climes....

 

[DavidJ]

Your boat sounds amazing. You can get into trouble abroad if you don't have the original bill of sale showing VAT paid. However there is a cut off date which 1963 is certainly outside the requirement. Have a browse around HM Customs & Excise. This is quite a popular topic so worth doing a forum search also.
On the continent everyone has a 'boat driving test'. You don't officially need one ('cos your British) but they don't know that. Best to get at least an ICC (International Cert of Competence)
Forgive me if you're a YachtMaster already
hope this helps
David

 

[DavidJ]

I notice I'm the only one replying on this one. Perhaps I'm so correct that no one is disputing (that will be a first!). There are a lot of Med folk on the Motor Boat Forum and a lot more activity so I suggest reposting on that.
David

 

[bobgosling]

cut off date is effectively 31st Dec 1992. You need "proof" that your vessel was in EU waters on that date , e.g. mooring receipt or boatyard bill. Or of course ... a little creativity with an old dot-matrix printer ... who would know ? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif