PROVING VAT TO EU CUSTOMS OFFICIALS.

[Greg01]

Has any one had the pleasure of a visit on board their boat from foreign EU customs officials demanding proof of VAT payment, or worse had their boat impounded untill payment could be proved. If so what was the result, I would like to hear your experiences. This is research for an article for MBY.

 

[nonitoo]

In two months cruising the French canals last year I was asked on a number of occasions for the SSR certificate and once for my ICC.

Of course the real reason for my NOT being asked for proof of VAT payment was that I had details on board.

I wonder what will happen in Holland this year ?

Tom

 

[Chris_d]

I'm yet to own a boat with this ellusive bit of paper, it will be interesting to know if its really ever needed.

 

[jfm]

Ive been boarded by French douanes 3 times in 5 years, pulling me over at sea in their grey boat with red diagonal stripe. Each time I was in a non VAT-paid boat, and they have never asked about hull VAT. If they had, i would have explained that the boat was not VAT paid and that was correct, but I've never had to

A boat (superyacht) belonging to one of my clients (whom i know well, so this is very first hand account, and i helped sort it out) was similarly pulled over by the French. Non VAT paid boat. Again, they didn't care about hull VAT, which would have been a 2-comma number theoretically but was not due, but the owner had a discrepancy in the paperwork and was billed for tax on the last fuel fill, plus a e250 fine, so all in it was about €4k to pay (which is peanuts in this context)

I owe Hugo a separate email on this; will reply soon, just busy at the moment

 

[lovezoo]

The only thing the locals wanted here was a copy of my SSR registration. I keep all the paperwork in the boat, but never been asked for it.

 

[blueglass]

4 years constantly on the move, different port every other night, France inland waterways, north & south coasts of France, italy, Greece. examined by customs boats 3 or 4 times (mostly med france) never once asked for VAT papers. only SSR and passports. never met anybody else who had either. I don't think anybody is interested. Could be a short article Greg!

 

[IDAMAY]

In over 20 years cruising in North Europe I have only once been asked for prooof of VAT status. This was in Holland two years ago. As we entered the lock at Vlissingen a customs launch was coming out. He pulled me over for a chat. They asked for everything including the original invoice. This was produced to their satisfaction. They also asked whether or not we were carrying red diesel which, of course, we were. They did not realise that tax reduced diesel was still legal in the UK. However, they said it was illegal in Holland but let us go on our way. I remember that some UK boaters were fined for having red diesel in Holland later that summer.

Elswhere, including France, Spain and Belgium we have only been asked for ship's papers and passports. We have never encountered the authorities in Germany, Denmark or Norway.

 

[Nick_H]

I've been asked for the VAT invoice twice. Once by the shipping company (on behalf of HMRC I suppose) when shipping the boat from UK to Med. The other time we were stopped by the Douanes on the water in SoF, and asked for all our papers. They took them all then gave them back 10 mins later and sent us on our way, so i'm not sure if they specifically wanted to see the VAT invoice or not.

 

[Nautorius]

Moved my Boat from UK to Spain This week. Customs officials at port waved me through and the marina insisted on SSR, Insurance Docs and Passport only. I had VAT proof and I had ICC but was not asked. I believe that when at sea I need ICC but Marina was not bothered!

Never been asked for VAT after several years taking boat to France and Spain...and as I live in Gib I do not need to pay VAT on boat anyway, although this one has had it paid.

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif