Proof of boats VAT status

  • Thread starter Thread starter 60F
  • Start date Start date
6

60F

Member
Joined
29 Jan 2010
Messages
33
Visit site
I am hoping to take my Princess 435 over to France and the Channel Islands next month. I have a copy of the original invoice from Solent Powerboats Ltd at Moody's in Swanwick but it is not certified as original and I do not have the original invoice.

I have spoken to Princess at Swanwick, but they have been unable to help as Solent Powerboats Ltd ceased trading many years ago and they do not have the records.

Is this likely to cause a problem, or in view of her age is the copy likely to be accepted by the necessary authorities?

Princess suggested that I could get in touch with customs if necessary. If I do need better documentation, has anyone got any experience of dealing with customs on this kind of issue please?
 
It won't be a problem.

A, you are unlike to be boarded by French authorities

B, if you are, they will only be interested in registration and your qualification (ICC upwards) and passports

C, if they do ask and are unhappy they have no duristiction as it would be a matter for UK HMC not the frogs.

Thexwhole VAT thing is wildly blown out of proportion by the RYA, banks and other professional bodies.

There are plenty of boats legally running about without VAT paid on them (bluefin for example) that go to France with no issues
 
You will be fine and only one in mill chance you will be asked

For peace of mind keep some papers to show u arrived in France from uk not CI. eg restaurant receipts from day before, fuel receipt, uk annual mMarina berth contract, logbook,etc

No point contacting hmrc. They won't help. I've boated in France ten years, been inspected by douanes loads of times, but never been asked for vat invoice. You'll be fine. Have a good trip!
 
lovezoo said:
This question comes up on here from time to time and the general consensus is that you are unlikely to have to prove the vat status to anyone.

The only bit of paper I have ever been asked for is my SSR.

Here is a recent thread on the subject:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265279
Click to expand...

Another vote for this. All I've ever needed were SSR and passports. I've never NOT been asked for the ssr. b
 
I think the only time vat docs really come up is on change of ownership. Have just sold mine without original Vat certificate to an overseas buyer and the uncertified copy of the orginal (same as you have) was readily accepted without problem. Don't worry about it - I bet half the boats in the marina are in the same postion.
 
You have more tahn many owners who don't even have the original invoice or a copy. The French authorities will not be in the elast bit interested as they have no jurisdiction over VAT issues unless you bought the boat in France.
 
Tranona said:
The French authorities will not be in the elast bit interested as they have no jurisdiction over VAT issues unless you bought the boat in France.
Click to expand...
Or unless France would be the first port of entry in the EU, I reckon?
An assumption against which, as I understand, the OP would not be able to give a bullet-proof contrary evidence.
Though I agree that they will almost certainly not even bother asking, particularly with a boat which is very obviously not brand new...
 
MapisM said:
Or unless France would be the first port of entry in the EU, I reckon?
An assumption against which, as I understand, the OP would not be able to give a bullet-proof contrary evidence.
Though I agree that they will almost certainly not even bother asking, particularly with a boat which is very obviously not brand new...
Click to expand...

Yup, which is why I say keep papers that show you came from uk. Chart plotter track would help too
 
jfm said:
Yup, which is why I say keep papers that show you came from uk. Chart plotter track would help too
Click to expand...

If all else fails, talk about the test match; at best they'll know you have come from England, at worst they'll assume you are too dangerous to mess with.:D
 
jfm said:
Yup, which is why I say keep papers that show you came from uk. Chart plotter track would help too
Click to expand...

And a copy of the Bill of Sale to show the last transaction took place in Uk (assuming it did!).

Usual advice to check the RYA website for documentary requirements (recently updated for France)
 
Tranona said:
And a copy of the Bill of Sale to show the last transaction took place in Uk (assuming it did!).
Click to expand...

I dont see how the BoS shows where the transaction took place. The last two boats I've sold have been transferred on UK-style BoS, UK part 1 boats, vendor (me) and buyer address both in UK, yet the boats were and still are physically in France
 
jfm said:
I dont see how the BoS shows where the transaction took place. The last two boats I've sold have been transferred on UK-style BoS, UK part 1 boats, vendor (me) and buyer address both in UK, yet the boats were and still are physically in France
Click to expand...

Thats the advice from the RYA (for what it is worth). It shows that the transaction took place between two EU residents (if indeed they were) in the UK so any VAT issues (if there are any) would be HMRC.

That seems logical to me but happy to be corrected.
 
I've been across to France and the CI loads of times, and have always carried all the paperwork recommended by the RYA, but as yet I have never been asked to show anything, not even a passport. On the last trip at Easter we never saw a douane in the whole time we were there. Don't lose any sleep over it.
 
Tranona said:
advice from the RYA (for what it is worth).
Click to expand...

Hmmm. I'd better refrain from bashing RYA but their legal department isn't staffed up by the sharpest knives in the drawer. The BoS doesn't say or evidence any such thing, nor has it ever been intended to. It does not show where the contract was entered into, nor where it was completed, nor the boat's place of delivery, nor the fiscal residence of either party. You can download it as easily as I can so if it does evidence these things please tell me where on the document it does so!
 
jfm said:
The BoS doesn't say or evidence any such thing, nor has it ever been intended to....
Click to expand...
Agreed. I only used the MCA BoS once, but I don't think it's meant to show much more than the transfer of ownership against an agreed price. And with the caveat that "A purchaser of a British registered ship does not obtain complete title until the appropriate Bill(s) of Sale has been recorded with the Registry, and a new Certificate issued", as it says in its own header.
In some respects, there are more details in the ABYA "Agreement for the sale and purchase of a secondhand vessel", though even that is still not enough to understand the type of transaction from a VAT standpoint. Not in all cases, at least.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top