SSR - White Lies - asking for a friend

[Irish Rover]

Can't say I agree with this.
There are countries where when you want to register a boat as a private citizen proof of VAT paid status is an integral parts of the registration process.

I'd be interested in an example or two - it doesn't seem logical to me that a person living and buying a boat in another country would have to prove VAT was paid on a boat he never plans to take to his country of citizenship. I bought a boat in Turkey more than 10 years ago and registered it in Ireland. It was EU VAT NOT PAID and my certificate of registration was endorsed accordingly.

 

[Graham376]

I'd be interested in an example or two - it doesn't seem logical to me that a person living and buying a boat in another country would have to prove VAT was paid on a boat he never plans to take to his country of citizenship. I bought a boat in Turkey more than 10 years ago and registered it in Ireland. It was EU VAT NOT PAID and my certificate of registration was endorsed accordingly.

It happens here in Portugal. A couple of years ago I had an outboard for sale and a local wanted to buy it for his tender. When he took the details to Capitania, they wouldn't register it to his boat because I couldn't provide the original VAT invoice from new, I'd bought it second hand.

 

[Koeketiene]

I'd be interested in an example or two - it doesn't seem logical to me that a person living and buying a boat in another country would have to prove VAT was paid on a boat he never plans to take to his country of citizenship. I bought a boat in Turkey more than 10 years ago and registered it in Ireland. It was EU VAT NOT PAID and my certificate of registration was endorsed accordingly.

Both my previous and current boat were/are registered in Belgium.
When I first registered my previous boat in 2010, the registration process was similar to that of the SSR.
Very light touch with a minimal amount of paperwork involved.
I remember completing the whole process in 5 minutes on-line.

When I registered my current boat (last year), there where many more hoops to jump through.
Amongst them proof of residency or nationality, proof of VAT status, proof of CE compliance (boat and engine), etc...

It is possible to register a boat VAT not paid, but NOT as a private individual.
So what you did when you registered your Turkish bought boat in Ireland would not be possible in Belgium (unless you registered the boat to a Belgian based company).

When I looked into it, the procedure to register a boat in France was fairly similar.

 

[westernman]

I'd be interested in an example or two - it doesn't seem logical to me that a person living and buying a boat in another country would have to prove VAT was paid on a boat he never plans to take to his country of citizenship. I bought a boat in Turkey more than 10 years ago and registered it in Ireland. It was EU VAT NOT PAID and my certificate of registration was endorsed accordingly.

A French registration for a private boat is proof that VAT (and import duties and taxes) have been paid.

If you check the requirements to register a boat in France here: Francisation d'un bateau de plaisance you will find:-

Le bateau de plaisance doit également remplir les 2 conditions suivantes :

• Avoir été construit dans l'UE ou avoir payé les droits et taxes d'importation exigibles dans l'UE
• Avoir fait l'objet d'un contrôle de sécurité

Translation:-

The pleasure boat must also fulfil the following 2 conditions:
It must have been built in the EU or have paid the import duties and taxes due in the EU
It must have undergone a safety check

I.e. the fact it is registered in France is proof that it is VAT paid.

But do not register your boat in France unless you are tax registered there and will keep your boat there.
There is a tax on French registered boats (where ever they are and to whoever they might belong) and boats kept by French residents which are not french registered.

 

[Irish Rover]

I hear what you're saying guys. So French or Belgian citizen residing elsewhere is denied the opportunity to register their boat in their native country and fly the flag. So if they were resident here in Turkey they wouldn't be able to get a Turkish flag for a second hand boat and wouldn't be able to get their own flag. If it was me I wouldn't be a happy chappy.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I'm a UK citizen resident in Switzerland. I can't have SSR so I have Part 1.

 

[Jodel]

Would this solve your problem? Full registration with the British Register of Ships in Jersey

 

[Irish Rover]

Would this solve your problem? Full registration with the British Register of Ships in Jersey

I've registered a boat in Jersey previously. Much the same procedure as UK part 1. Jersey registry excellent to deal with, super helpful and almost everything can be done online. Tonnage survey needed which can be expensive when you're in far flung location - when I got one done previously the travelling expenses and time were multiples of the fee.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Would this solve your problem? Full registration with the British Register of Ships in Jersey

Price [PDF] seems no cheaper than UK Part 1 registration though, which seems to be the main stumbling block.

 

[Gwylan]

One named person and everyone else gets a letter of authority to use.

Includes the text, along the following lines......" the bearer of this letter, who will identify themselves as Mr Joe Bloggs is authorised by the registered owner of "The Good Ship Venus" to freely operate this vessel".

Use some expensive heavy paper.

Then pop out and buy some rubber stamps.
Make them different. Have one for the boat, that includes the SSR number, then get someone to initial it.

Another stamp with the name and address of the owner. And do the same.

An embossed stamp and a red seal really set the deal., but break the budget.

Use different colour ink and make the signatures different.

 

[Graham376]

Maybe Gibraltar registration? Gibraltar extends yacht registration rights to over 70 more countries - The Sovereign Group

 

[syvictoria]

One named person and everyone else gets a letter of authority to use.

Includes the text, along the following lines......" the bearer of this letter, who will identify themselves as Mr Joe Bloggs is authorised by the registered owner of "The Good Ship Venus" to freely operate this vessel".

Use some expensive heavy paper.

Then pop out and buy some rubber stamps.
Make them different. Have one for the boat, that includes the SSR number, then get someone to initial it.

Another stamp with the name and address of the owner. And do the same.

An embossed stamp and a red seal really set the deal., but break the budget.

Use different colour ink and make the signatures different.

And have all owners named on the insurance.

 

[westernman]

And have all owners named on the insurance.

Essential.

 

[Birdseye]

Wouldnt worry about what you put on the SSR Mr OP. I know of people who happily put a length 1m less than actual for the benefit of foreign harbour masters and with no comeback. Its just a piece of paper invented for foreigners