Lockdown and keeping the boat VAT paid in the EU.

[Seven Spades]

This lockdown is unfortunate because I like many others wanted to get my boat to France for Brexit. The window of opportunity is closing, December 5th to the 31st. The one thing that is worrying me is that post 31st December we are not EU citizens and will France let us into the country to retrieve our boats, they are not letting third party citizens into France in this pandemic except for a few countries on a list and I am sure if we don't hand over our fishing grounds we won't be added. The safest way is to be on the boat over new year and hope for good weather for the cold return journey.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Bit cold northern France in Dec on the boat , but hey it maybe the only option you have or you could just leave it moored in France till things claim down .
Here in Italy , Marina still open and running as normally for now .

 

[Poignard]

Bit cold northern France in Dec on the boat , but hey it maybe the only option you have or you could just leave it moored in France till things claim down .

That is what I I will do, ie leave her in Brittany where she has been for the last 6 years and wait to see what happens.

She is safely ashore and covered up so unlikely to come to much harm (I hope I don't regret those words!).

I don't want to bring her back and won't unless I have to.

 

[Bobc]

French marinas are all shut, and the borders are also closed. Until the French lift these restrictions, I'm afraid you are not going to be able to get your boat over there.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

This lockdown is unfortunate because I like many others wanted to get my boat to France for Brexit. The window of opportunity is closing, December 5th to the 31st. The one thing that is worrying me is that post 31st December we are not EU citizens and will France let us into the country to retrieve our boats, they are not letting third party citizens into France in this pandemic except for a few countries on a list and I am sure if we don't hand over our fishing grounds we won't be added. The safest way is to be on the boat over new year and hope for good weather for the cold return journey.

If all you need as evidence that the boat was in the EU on transition day is a berthing receipt with the boat's name on it, Carlingford marina are taking bookings for the 31st December, and posting out receipts.

 

[lustyd]

That’s an impressive foresight for something that’s not yet been decided or agreed. We’ll be lucky if we know what we need before next summer given the current political scene.

 

[awol]

If all you need as evidence that the boat was in the EU on transition day is a berthing receipt with the boat's name on it, Carlingford marina are taking bookings for the 31st December, and posting out receipts.

Or if you have an old receipt why not pass a few minutes of your lockdown with a scanner and photoshop (other programs are available) - saves the postage!

 

[olam]

If all you need as evidence that the boat was in the EU on transition day is a berthing receipt with the boat's name on it, Carlingford marina are taking bookings for the 31st December, and posting out receipts.

I'd keep that to yourself or it will become worthless once a few hundred boats have the same receipt.

 

[grandpaboat]

If all you need as evidence that the boat was in the EU on transition day is a berthing receipt with the boat's name on it, Carlingford marina are taking bookings for the 31st December, and posting out receipts.

Nice earner for Carlingford. I couldn't believe how much they where charging the last time I was in there.

 

[dunedin]

If all you need as evidence that the boat was in the EU on transition day is a berthing receipt with the boat's name on it, Carlingford marina are taking bookings for the 31st December, and posting out receipts.

So how would a U.K. boat get to Carlingford, as leisure vessels are currently banned from entering Ireland? Or are Carlingford aiding and abetting tax fraud?

 

[Beneteau381]

If all you need as evidence that the boat was in the EU on transition day is a berthing receipt with the boat's name on it, Carlingford marina are taking bookings for the 31st December, and posting out receipts.

Ooh, I like that!

 

[Beneteau381]

So how would a U.K. boat get to Carlingford, as leisure vessels are currently banned from entering Ireland? Or are Carlingford aiding and abetting tax fraud?

A simple transaction, if the boat diesnt get there? So what, an reciept for the dosh is in your hands for a nosy parker!

 

[Sea Devil]

Last week I had the French Customs on board my boat in Boulogne sur mer and as I keep the boat there I asked the question: Will VAT be imposable on my boat from January 1st? The answer from them was ' we simply do not know'.... This is an issue not covered in the withdrawal agreement and no decision has been made by the EU or France on the subject of VAT on British boats kept in France...

Out of interest Americans, Australians et al keep their boats in France without any VAT payment. The one restriction is that 18 months is the maximum continuous time allowed after which the boat must leave EU waters for at least 24 hours

 

[st599]

Last week I had the French Customs on board my boat in Boulogne sur mer and as I keep the boat there I asked the question: Will VAT be imposable on my boat from January 1st? The answer from them was ' we simply do not know'.... This is an issue not covered in the withdrawal agreement and no decision has been made by the EU or France on the subject of VAT on British boats kept in France...

Out of interest Americans, Australians et al keep their boats in France without any VAT payment. The one restriction is that 18 months is the maximum continuous time allowed after which the boat must leave EU waters for at least 24 hours

The RYA say they have a letter from the European Commission outlining the rules.

 

[Sea Devil]

The RYA say they have a letter from the European Commission outlining the rules.

Possibly but its an outline not French/EU law..

 

[RupertW]

Possibly but its an outline not French/EU law..

This has been fully settled for 2 years as the CA, RYA and HMRC have been saying. I don’t know why anybody doubts it.

 

[Sea Devil]

This has been fully settled for 2 years as the CA, RYA and HMRC have been saying. I don’t know why anybody doubts it.

Well French customs officials do not agree but maybe the RYA knows something they don't

 

[dunedin]

r

Well French customs officials do not agree but maybe the RYA knows something they don't

I suspect that the RYA is getting information direct from the EU central tax authorities. Information will take a lot longer to filter down to a local customs official through all the layers

 

[RupertW]

Well French customs officials do not agree but maybe the RYA knows something they don't

Of course local officials may not be aware and of course as the national organisation the RYA has been fully informed and aware. Just choose your place to be for permanent free movement of the boat and the UK or EU can be visited by the boat for up to 18 months.

 

[Graham376]

Of course local officials may not be aware and of course as the national organisation the RYA has been fully informed and aware. Just choose your place to be for permanent free movement of the boat and the UK or EU can be visited by the boat for up to 18 months.

Why would any local customs officers know what will happen? The rule books haven't been written yet, never mind published and our UK VAT officers have frequently said "we don't know yet" when I've phoned for information.