Proving VAT paid

[citygent111]

Hi all,

Thinking about towing our Fletcher to France/Spain next year.

One issue I'm concerned about is being able to prove VAT has been paid. She was new in 2009, I think we are the 3rd owners, I got some recent paperwork showing receipts for servicing etc, but nothing at all relating to the original owner/purchase.

How the heck do we prove VAT paid on a 15 year old boat?!

Thanks!

 

[Momac]

You should buy a boat which comes with the original VAT invoice as evidence of VAT paid .

 

[dunedin]

Key question is are you planning to leave the boat in France / Spain (for more than 18 months) or planning to tow it home again after a holiday.
Either way proof of UK VAT paid status probably irrelevant.
In the former case likely to be liable for EU VAT to import permanently (but lots of other important details), in the latter case going for temporary admission when VAT status is irrelevant.
As far as I know.

 

[citygent111]

No, just tow it home after holiday, so probably 2-3 weeks max.

 

[dunedin]

No, just tow it home after holiday, so probably 2-3 weeks max.

Then VAT status not an issue, but there may be other stuff for a temporary holiday visit. RYA prob most experience of paperwork for powerboats being towed across via ferry/ tunnel these days.
Have a great holiday

 

[lustyd]

You should buy a boat which comes with the original VAT invoice as evidence of VAT paid .

That isn't proof of VAT status, there could have been tax events since purchase so you also need the history including proof of location if you actually want to prove status.

I believe when taking expensive things abroad there's a temporary export form you need to fill in that you show on the way back.
The EU don't need to see anything these days, but they can ask

 

[citygent111]

Ok gang, thank you - think I may be fretting over nothing, but I'll speak to the RYA just to be sure.

 

[dunedin]

Ok gang, thank you - think I may be fretting over nothing, but I'll speak to the RYA just to be sure.

Think you do need some paperwork for boat and engine, just not VAT stuff. Hence the suggestion re RYA.
Needs to be registered (eg SSR) and our rescue RIBs were warned by officials due to.lack of ensign and courtesy flag!

 

[Momac]

That isn't proof of VAT status, there could have been tax events since purchase so you also need the history including proof of location if you actually want to prove status.

Okay I take your point. But its a good start - proves VAT was paid in the UK.

 

[Tranona]

Okay I take your point. But its a good start - proves VAT was paid in the UK.

But it is irrelevant to the OPs question - and largely irrelevant unless you are moving a boat permanently to another VAT area.

 

[citygent111]

For future reference, the RYA pointed me here: Entry and exit formalities | boating abroad | RYA

 

[lustyd]

But it is irrelevant to the OPs question

Not really irrelevant as they might need to prove it was deemed VAT paid on the way back in to the UK (or when filling in the temporary export form on the way out)

 

[Momac]

Paperwork | boating abroad | RYA

 

[Tranona]

Paperwork | boating abroad | RYA

Look at the evidence accepted which is very general and the simplest is that the boat was in the UK on the 31/12/2020. Pretty clear if he has the record of past owners showing it has always been in the UK that no questions will be asked. As suggested the original invoice is largely irrelevant. In the OPs case this is a non issue from what he has said. Just fill in the forms as in post#12 and the government guidance