Proof of VAT paid

[Imperial One]

Syd, as original poster I hope the info on here has been of help to you.

A lot of what has been said by others is true enough and it seems that some will take the risk - as private individuals - of ability to prove a boats Vat status if asked.
As a broker/main agent we cannot afford to be anything other than 100% certain about the history, paperwork and provenance on all and any boat we sell or offer for sale.

I refer to my post 28.05
"As an example of why I take this position, we have recently sold one boat where the paperwork chain with it included a letter from HMRC asking the previous but one owner to prove the Vat situation as they had 'noticed' the boat being used in a UK Harbour. Fortunately the Vat paperwork existed (actually from our original invoice!) but even here in what many consider waters unpoliced by the HMRC, you may well get asked for proof."

 

[Tranona]

I refer to my post 28.05
"As an example of why I take this position, we have recently sold one boat where the paperwork chain with it included a letter from HMRC asking the previous but one owner to prove the Vat situation as they had 'noticed' the boat being used in a UK Harbour. Fortunately the Vat paperwork existed (actually from our original invoice!) but even here in what many consider waters unpoliced by the HMRC, you may well get asked for proof."

However, I am sure you will find that there would have been something to trigger off HMRC interest in the boat! There is no evidence that HMRC carry out random checks - an even greater waste of their time than the time wasted by UKBA in random checks on yachts at sea!

Of course, if they think an offence has been committed they will investigate - see my post above on Flavio Briatire's "problems".

 

[Imperial One]

Yes, agreed, but on the occasion I speak of the boat had been here in the UK for four plus years and was simply going from its mooring to the fuel berth and back again just like often before.
The HMRC do undertake random checks for whatever reason is appropriate on the day and the same is true in France and Holland. I have had them on delivery trips so know well how thorough these chaps are but then again they are only doing their jobs.
It is rare in the UK to be checked but it is not unknown.

Anyway, the sun is shining so lets enjoy our boats and not worry about our Vat paid boats!