Sailing to France - VAT and competence documents

[slawosz]

The OP wants to go to France.

Probably Holland too. But I am somehow scared of going to France more, as in Holland its easier to talk in English with authorities - or at least I think.

This reminds me, I don't have my red diesel recipes as I did not thought I would be going abroad this year... Should I give the remaining diesel to someone and obtain a fresh recipe on an empty tank (luckly I have only 45 litters tank)?

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Probably Holland too. But I am somehow scared of going to France more, as in Holland its easier to talk in English with authorities - or at least I think.

This reminds me, I don't have my red diesel recipes as I did not thought I would be going abroad this year... Should I give the remaining diesel to someone and obtain a fresh recipe on an empty tank (luckly I have only 45 litters tank)?

Get hold of a couple of 20 litre drums in which to save your red diesel, to top up your tank on your return. (I'm told I have Scottish ancestry ).

 

[Tranona]

Probably Holland too. But I am somehow scared of going to France more, as in Holland its easier to talk in English with authorities - or at least I think.

This reminds me, I don't have my red diesel recipes as I did not thought I would be going abroad this year... Should I give the remaining diesel to someone and obtain a fresh recipe on an empty tank (luckly I have only 45 litters tank)?

There won't be any problem with red in your tank, just make sure you have white in any spare cans. Don't be scared of going to France. You will have to be more careful about yourself entering Schengen using the Ports of Entry than anything to do with your boat. This is still a moveable feast as the new systems are being introduced so check the latest before you go.

 

[philwebb]

Nothing to worry about. Your boat is what is known as "deemed VAT paid" on account of its age. Evidence you bought it in the YK and it is till based here is more than enough - but you will be highly unlikely to be asked - they have far more important things to do. No evidence of competence required, but do make sure you register your boat on the SSR as the French are particularly hot on this.

I’ve been over to Cherbourg and StMalo virtually every year, and I’ve never been asked for my SSR number. When I filled in the paperwork in France last year I just put in my sail number in the box for registration number. Besides that it’s just the faff of getting your passport stamped in and out.

 

[Neeves]

I had some time to spare and read through the complete thread, every post. No wonder Australia is, was, called the lucky country. We can sail a good few thousand nautical miles and still be in home waters (but after all those miles, different climate, different scenery).

After reading it all:

Tranona knows his stuff and is very patient

When we go foreign - its really foreign.

Jonathan

 

[Tranona]

Well - up to 2021 it was like that for us. Virtually the whole of the European coast including Scandinavia was our playground with no constraints apart from having registration for the boat and identification for the skipper and crew.

 

[LadyInBed]

I’ve been over to Cherbourg and StMalo virtually every year, and I’ve never been asked for my SSR number

If you check in at Cherbourg or St Vaast, they will have taken your details on your first visit, put it on their pooter and it will be there for ever. They are very efficient!

 

[Neil]

Also thinking about a trip to France. My boat is on the UK SSR. The UK passport office made such an arse of my recent attempt at passport renewal that I decided not to bother and just got an Irish one instead. I'm resident in Scotland. Are there likely to be any problems with an Irish passport holder sailing a uk registered boat. Shall I fly a tricolour, saltire or red ensign or all three. Last time I went it was a saltire the only comment I got was from a warship passing in Plymouth when I distinctly heard over their tannoy what the #£!!#k is that ensign.

If you have an Irish passport, say the boat is Irish - there is no small ships register here, as far as I know

 

[Tranona]

If you have an Irish passport, say the boat is Irish - there is no small ships register here, as far as I know

A boat must fly the ensign of its flag state (not the citizenship of the owner or skipper). So a boat on the SSR has a red (or blue) ensign.

 

[LittleSister]

A boat must fly the ensign of its flag state (not the citizenship of the owner or skipper). So a boat on the SSR has a red (or blue) ensign.

And I believe that entitlement to SSR is dependent on UK residence, not UK citizenship.

 

[Tranona]

And I believe that entitlement to SSR is dependent on UK residence, not UK citizenship.

Correct - and the poster is resident in Scotland.

 

[Mudisox]

Still in UK I believe.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

This answer makes 2 assumptions, both of which must be true to make the advice valid.

1. You are a British citizen with a UK passport and no EU citizenship or residency.
2. Your boat is registered in the U.K. to you. (SSR or Part 1)

First, read Tranonas posts - he is a very reliable and helpful forumite who dispenses sound advice - and has done for the 12 or so years I've been on this forum.

If you want to remain totally above board, with no difficult questions asked, then this will always work when entering a foreign country, France or anywhere else.

1. When you enter their waters hoist the courtesy flag for the country you are entering (France) and a yellow "Q" flag on the starboard spreader of the forward mast.
2. Head directly for a port or marina designated as a port of entry.
3. Dock at the customs quay (if there is one) or the berth you have been assigned by the marina.
4. Take your crew list and all passports, plus your boat papers, insurance, any qualifications, etc. to the authorities.
5. Apply for Temporary admission for the boat and get your passports stamped as entering the EU.

Once you have your TA paperwork and your passports stamped, then remove the "Q" flag and enjoy the stay - and make sure the boat leaves before 18 months are up. If you intend to keep it in the EU for more than 18 months, arrange an exit/re-entry to reset the temporary admission clock before it runs out.

Worked for me for many years.

 

[westernman]

Still in UK I believe.

For now.

 

[slawosz]

And I believe that entitlement to SSR is dependent on UK residence, not UK citizenship.

Just to be clear, I am UK resident and have EU passport. My boat is about to SSR re-registered.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

And I believe that entitlement to SSR is dependent on UK residence, not UK citizenship.

As mentioned by Tranona above, there is no SSR in Ireland, but in my experience many Irish owners, in order to have a registration number on their boats when entering foreign juristictions, have, in the past, registered their boats on the UK SSR, (no problem having contacts/relatives in GB provide a UK address. In view of tightened up conditions, I don't know what pertains now.

 

[Minerva]

By way of a slight thread drift - When buying a new (second hand) boat with ambitions of going foreign, would we be best advised to get an invoice to prove the marina / boatyard the boat was in the UK on January 1st / Brexit day along side the bill of sale?

 

[Tranona]

By way of a slight thread drift - When buying a new (second hand) boat with ambitions of going foreign, would we be best advised to get an invoice to prove the marina / boatyard the boat was in the UK on January 1st / Brexit day along side the bill of sale?

Not really if the boat in in the UK. Eu is not at all interested in VAT on UK boats. The issue with getting location evidence was only really relevant for UK boats in the EU to establish their EU VAT status so the had free circulation.

 

[Tranona]

For now.

Doubt establoshing a separate register equivalent to the SSR will be high on the list of priorities for an ondependent Scottish government.

 

[westernman]

Doubt establoshing a separate register equivalent to the SSR will be high on the list of priorities for an ondependent Scottish government.

But it might prevent Scottish residents being entitled to use the UK SSR.