No VAT Payable on EU Boats

[ShaneAtSea]

Not sure how accurate this is but its was on the Ventura website. Would be great if its true

From January 1st, British citizens who buy a boat for private use in EU waters can do so with no VAT payable.

The new rule applies to any boat bought either new or used on which VAT has not been paid. The boat can be used in EU waters for 18 months. After that period, it will need to be removed from EU waters, but could then return for a further 18 month period. The new rules apply whether it is a boat from the UK, or one that’s been built or is already in the EU.

NEW 0% VAT on boats used in the EU - Ventura Europe

 

[jrudge]

That is correct. You have to take it outside the eu every 18 months for a few hours

 

[DavidJ]

My understanding is that you are correct, so make your EU base close enough to Gibralter or North Africa or Turkey of Channel Islands etc for a one day trip every 18 months.
Finding someone who will sell you a non VAT boat may be a problem because they may be liable but perhaps thats where Ventura Europe steps in.

 

[ShaneAtSea]

My understanding is that you are correct, so make your EU base close enough to Gibralter or North Africa or Turkey of Channel Islands etc for a one day trip every 18 months.
Finding someone who will sell you a non VAT boat may be a problem because they may be liable but perhaps thats where Ventura Europe steps in.

So you have to buy the boat in the EU?

Or can someone buy a UK boat and then take it to the EU?

 

[Cheery]

That's all well and good but the owner is only allowed 90 in 180. I appreciate that it's not a problem for most but for some who spend long periods several times a season or even live aboard you can't just nip outside the EU for 24 hours and reset YOUR clock. Still, not a problem I shall have to consider at the moment.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

.deleted. Wrong thread

 

[Portofino]

Adriatic Italy looks promising.
@Shane as a 3 rd party U.K. , you can boat vat unpaid as long as you leave the Eu every 18 months .
As far a the 90 in 180 , goes if in Italy just nip across the Adriatic and boat there counting your days OUT of the EU thus effectively banking days in , still Med boating .

 

[Splice]

Worryingly, we have just had these two communications from Kos Marina where our boat (VAT unpaid) is currently laid up:

Dear Customers,
Good afternoon from KOS MARINA.

Following the changes for UK-flagged vessels which are based in Greece we would like to inform you that after an announcement of the Independent Authority for Public revenue – IAPR (www.aade.gr) to all Customs- and Port Police authorities concerning the treatment, the local customs authorities of Kos Island has requested details of all vessels that are placed in KOS MARINA.
Following details will be given:
Reservation nr. /current contract beginning and expire date/ contract period/ vessel name, registry nr. and loa/ vessel’s flag / category (charter-private)/ type (SY-MY-CAT) /owners name / owners residence country

We thank you for your attention.
Kind regards,

Dear All,
In order to avoid any misunderstanding we would like to clarify that the details which are requested by the Customs, KOS MARINA will provide them to the customs office.
So far the customs wanted to know details and numbers from us (not from the boat owner). As customer details will be given we had to inform you about it.
As soon as we have more information on which actions exactly have to be taken we will let you know. Please be advised that an agent could handle formalities while your absence.
We thank you for your attention and wish a good evening!

 

[Bouba]

If a boat is untaxed then does it also have to have a flag of convenience, like a superyacht ?

 

[Cheery]

Delaware, IoM, Jersey, BVI?

 

[Portofino]

If a boat is untaxed then does it also have to have a flag of convenience, like a superyacht ?

No , not linked .
The flags of convenience are just that more convenient for the boat operators, stuff like survey requirements, crew lists , safety , and further admin back of house like for example but not exclusively anonymity of the beneficial owner .

 

[Hurricane]

Or can someone buy a UK boat and then take it to the EU?

I think the trick is to get the supplier of a new boat to export it without paying VAT (probably into the Channel Islands).
Then you can move it to Europe and use the TA rules as explained in you post #1.
This should work as long as you are not an EU resident.
I think that we have "done this issue to death" over the last couple of months.

 

[hullabaloo]

I think that we have "done this issue to death" over the last couple of months.

Yes and we will still be doing it to death in five years time ! .
(would anyone like to bet me a pound +vat )

 

[DavidJ]

I think that we have "done this issue to death" over the last couple of months.

I just can’t stop myself pitching in.....I‘ve just done it again!

 

[Alicatt]

Adriatic Italy looks promising.
@Shane as a 3 rd party U.K. , you can boat vat unpaid as long as you leave the Eu every 18 months .
As far a the 90 in 180 , goes if in Italy just nip across the Adriatic and boat there counting your days OUT of the EU thus effectively banking days in , still Med boating .
View attachment 108500

How old is your map? Is not Croatia in the Customs Union now?

 

[DavidJ]

How old is your map? Is not Croatia in the Customs Union now?

Croatia is not a Schengen state
I notice that the Republic of Ireland isn’t either
A Schengen visa is an authorisation issued by a Schengen State with a view to:

• an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen States of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180 days period ("short stay visa"),
• a transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen States ("airport transit visa").

Map of the Schengen area and the Schengen States

/home-affairs/file/schengenmapjpg_enschengen_map.jpg

 

[Alicatt]

But it is in the customs union therefore you would still be in the EU's VAT area so you would not reset the 18 month TA clock

 

[Alicatt]

Croatia is not a Schengen state
I notice that the Republic of Ireland isn’t either
A Schengen visa is an authorisation issued by a Schengen State with a view to:

• an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen States of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180 days period ("short stay visa"),
• a transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen States ("airport transit visa").

Map of the Schengen area and the Schengen States

/home-affairs/file/schengenmapjpg_enschengen_map.jpg

From: Territorial status of EU countries and certain territories | Taxation and Customs Union (europa.eu)

 

[Portofino]

But it is in the customs union therefore you would still be in the EU's VAT area so you would not reset the 18 month TA clock

Just move , pass through Montenegro on one of your summer jaunts .
Principle of Italian Adriatic to former Yugoslavia new states applies , just find an none EU one .
Every time you leave the EU , you effectively ( with necessary evidence) re set the 18 m clock .It’s not as if you have to wait until 17 months 3 weeks to leave and re enter .
If your boats was in the Adriatic you would be cruising that E coast annually .Fuels cheaper too in Montenegro so there’s another incentive to breeze across .Mind you a fast boat would be handy.
The none schengen status of Croatia means you time in there stops the EU 90 in 180 clock .Schenegen “ shuffle “

You could keep your boat there and nip S into none EU for VAT TI rules as well .

 

[Alicatt]

Now if you can get your boat to Lake Lugano it is not in the Customs Union