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

 

[Skywanderer21]

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

Hi
I have a 14 yr old Rib with a UK VAT invoice that I want to export to Greece to be a tender for my Yacht that I keep there. How do I calculate what VAT I should pay and do you know how I go about the process?

 

[Skywanderer21]

Do I just turn up with my boat on the trailer to Greek customs with the original GB invoice and they deal with it on the spot if queried?

 

[Tranona]

Do I just turn up with my boat on the trailer to Greek customs with the original GB invoice and they deal with it on the spot if queried?

The VAT invoice you have is totally irrelevant. You are entering the EU customs area and in theory you should pay VAT at the first point of entry. However if you make prior arrangement to pay VAT in Greece you can avoid that. VAT is in theory payable on the current market price, but it is up to local customs to determine what that is. It would be well to get that agreed in advance as well. It would also be sensible to have a copy of the Certificate of Conformity to show it meets the standards. Even more important if you have an engine and trailer with it. Greek customs re notorious for making things up as they go along. Good luck.

 

[Seastoke]

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

Just a mention , when I towed to sof , they could not steal my trailer but they stripped it of every part bolted to it.

 

[Dellquay13]

Just a mention , when I towed to sof , they could not steal my trailer but they stripped it of every part bolted to it.

I always searched out a boat yard near the harbour slip and paid them a modest fee to store my trailer in their gated yard for my stay rather than in a car park for a fortnight.

 

[Seastoke]

I always searched out a boat yard near the harbour slip and paid them a modest fee to store my trailer in their gated yard for my stay rather than in a car park for a fortnight.

So did I.