Purchasing Abroad

[Fire99]

Hi All,

Firstly thanks for all the help people have given me on previous posts.
Secondl, I an considering purchasing a second hand boat from a large broker on the Continent.
The two i am interested in are in France and Italy. The prices are in the Wonderful EURO's and state as including Tax. Can anyone advise me on the process of bringing the boat to England? Do I still need to pay the UK VAT or is the local rate of the country ok at time of purchase?
Also do i have to pay any other sneaky import costs?
Please let me know since i have seen some nice Diesel Motor cruisers on the Continent at, what appears, very reasonable prices.

Your help as ever is very much appreciated.

cheers

Nick

 

[miket]

I also purchased from EU.

If proof of VAT paid in any EU country, no further VAT liability. Ensure you have either the original "VAT paid" invoice or the receipt from the tax authorities in which the VAT was paid retrospectively.

There should not be any duty payable either.

In EU boats often have to be removed from that country's registry of shipping before you gain good title. Broker should do this and offer proof that it has been done.

Don't let the above overide all the usual caveats about buying 2nd hand !!

 

[byron]

Mike! Surely a photocopy of the VAT paid paperwork is acceptable ??

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[PGD]

Re: Purchasing Abroad - new parts etc

Found this useful site www.boatersworls.com - USA based.

Does anyone know what the laws are about importing stuff and whether or not you have to pay tax or postal fees at this end on bits too.

Can these be avoided if you order form and EU country like France or Germany

 

[PGD]

Re: Purchasing Abroad - new parts etc

sorry should be www.boatersworld.com

 

[tcm]

Re: vat certificate

yes in the uk, not so sure abroad. In at least some countries they DO have a piece of paper saying "this boat as hereby been vat paid", Italy for example.

Nick, where are you buying from?

 

[davel]

James Jermain is a regular contributor to Yachting Monthly and recently wrote an article in that mag regarding the situation with VAT throughout the EC. It's probably worth a trawl through the "Articles" section of the site to see if it's available.

James also haunts the Scuttlebutt forum and chips in on a frequent basis. Might be worth posting a request for help on that board and see if he bites.

Dave L.
Location: 50 51.0 N 1 18.6 W

 

[DavidJ]

We had a good look around secondhand in Greece and some in France and saw a few well priced but well used boats. I'm unconvinced that boats are cheaper abroad compared with a well haggled price in the UK (maybe our starting prices are higher) Eventually we bought UK.
My perception is that boats are better looked after here. Maybe we have more polishing time in marinas waiting for good weather.
David

 

[tcm]

Re: uk/abroad conditions

this needs qualifying? I wdn't disagree, but an older boat probly yes uk - it'll be a uk owner, whereas med boat will be more sunbleached. Newer, I'd go for abroad - warmer weather less tarnsihing/rust. But these are of course massive generalisations

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Absolutely not if you want to get the boat registered in the UK. I once imported a boat from Germany and made the mistake of accepting some documents as photocopies which the Registrar of Shipping refused to accept. It cost me £2k to get a solicitor to go to Germany and get the photocopies signed by the 2 previous owners and witnessed. Oh and this was a UK manufactured boat

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yes, prices in Europe can be cheaper than the UK particularly for UK built boats bought prior to 1996 in a European currency at a then weak Sterling exchange rate and sold now when, of course Sterling is much stronger.
I once bought a boat in Germany - see my posting below - you must get original documentation of the builders invoice to the first owner (to prove VAT paid) or a certificate showing local VAT paid, bills of sale for every change of ownership and the builders certificate showing Hull ID no (HIN No) and engine nos. Check that the hull and engine nos match the boat. Providing you have these documents you will not have to pay any VAT or other duties on importation into UK
Personally I was concerned about paying over a large sum of money to a foreign broker who I didnt know from Adam so try to buy thru a well known broker or negotiate direct with the owner if you can with the owner settling the brokers commission. Also try to check if there are outstanding debts on the boat - asking around in the marina is probably the best you can do. When you pay for the boat, be in the marina and move it or stick it on a truck the second your money hits the brokers account for obvious reasons
From my experience German and Dutch boats tend to be nicely looked after whereas French ones in particular, at least the ones I looked at, were shabby