Safe to go to Belgium - or not

[wingdiver]

The recent red diesel clarification and encouragement aimed at UK leisure craft seems to be severely flawed according to the Cruising Association

http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/536217/cruising-association-belgium-still-seeing-red-over-derv#

I'm still not going to Belgium. Full stop.

No matter how many people say "it's fine"/"I went and I was OK"/"No-one knows anyone who has been fined"/"the local Harbourmaster's mate's brother's dog says customs aren't interested", I will not risk it.

As it stands, the latest announcement from the Belgian government chap makes no difference to me, personally. Apart from the valid point made by the CA that most UK leisure boaters have receipts that show duty paid but only part at the 'full' rate and the rest at the 'domestic' rate, the main issue I have is with needing receipts for all the fuel in my tanks issued within the last year.

We carry 1600 litres on board and even with a massive fill last August of just a shade over 1000 litres, we would be unable to provide any receipts for the other 500-600 litres unless we could get that amount in before our trip over the North Sea this summer.

Until the Belgian government say they are no longer interested (like the Dutch and French governments have managed to do) I can't risk even the smallest possibility of action based on my fuel load. Even a few hundred litres of fuel fine at €1 per litre would severely ruin my summer cruise and I'm just not prepared to take that risk - especially when I've paid the correct duty on all the fuel at the correct rate in my country.

I just wish they would sort it all out properly as I miss the pleasures of the Belgian coast....<sigh>

 

[Tiller Girl]

I fear there is no solution. The EU rules are quite clear, marked diesel is so marked to indicate a discounted tax rate. Leisure craft in the EU are not entitled to a discounted rate for propulsion. Ergo they should not have marked diesel in their main tanks. That's it really. The EU rules make no provision for the UK problem that marinas can't afford to stock red diesel for fishermen and white diesel for yachtsmen/women. No mere Government of an EU state has the right to interfere with those rules so the UK government's fix for us to declare a proportion for heating/generation is outside the EU rules. Every member state should be enforcing the rules like Belgium did. remember in a written constitution you can only do what is permitted by legislation whereas us with no constitution (long may it continue) can do whatever is not prohibited by law. What the Belgiums now are doing is applying their discretion. That's a very British thing which the continentals thanks to that guy Napoleon don't have written in their constitution. Nobody can ever give you a promise not to exercise their discretion, bosses can say 'it's not a priority to enforce red diesel' but it's up to the individual. that's why there can be no government assurance. I suspect it will be all right but if you upset the guy and have loads of other infractions, expect him/her to turn nasty. 'tis no more than human nature.

 

[jimi]

might be a very stupid question, but can't one just keep all ones receipts for car deisel and produce them?

 

[Tiller Girl]

Weeell! Now sir, this is a receipt for white diesel which I know is sold at fuel stations in the UK. I was asking you if you had a receipt showing that full tax had been paid on red diesel. Are you showing this in an attempt to deceive me?

It's your call really.........

 

[Stork_III]

Last time I heard, the "fine" in Holland was €4.3/litre of tank capacity. Now that would ruin your summer.

 

[bobgarrett]

We will just be avoiding Belgium. If other states can accept it then the Belgians have the choice.

 

[David2452]

They are at least starting to get the message, next year perhaps, meanwhile France and Holland can have the money. The Belgians currently remind me of Vicky Pollard.... Yea but No But....

 

[Marmalade]

your loss sir