Tunisia in Brit flagged boat

[Donheist]

Is Tunisia worth the hassle as a more interesting way to get from Sicily to Sardinia?

I have a 1989 British flagged boat on SSR theoretically vat paid but have never had vat paperwork . Have been in eu since we owned her. We can prove we were in eu waters on Brexit day.

If I go to Tunisia am I creating a world of pain with reimporting (into Cagliari) and do I end up in the 18month cycle of having to leave the EU for a day. Or can I preserve my current situation of no formalities required pootling around the eu med other than Schengen rules?

advice welcome!

 

[Tranona]

Nothing to worry about. The freedom of the boat to move in and out of the EU is nothing to do with registration but the VAT "status". However you may experience a bit more questioning when you return because of the unfamiliarity of officials with the new rules, so ensure you have your evidence. There may be value in visiting customs before you leave and explain your situation and show your evidence that your boat is EU VAT paid.

 

[jlavery]

... end up in the 18month cycle of having to leave the EU for a day....

Alas, leaving for a day doesn't work. It's a rolling 18 month window in which you can't have been in the EU for more than 90 days.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Alas, leaving for a day doesn't work. It's a rolling 18 month window in which you can't have been in the EU for more than 90 days.

I think that you are conflating two restrictions - one for the person and another for the boat. For the person in the Schengen area on the standard Schengen visa it's 90 days out of 180. For the boat the Temporary Admission rules apply which in the EU allow 18 months which then can be reset by the boat leaving the EU for one day.

 

[jlavery]

I think that you are conflating two restrictions - one for the person and another for the boat. For the person in the Schengen area on the standard Schengen visa it's 90 days out of 180. For the boat the Temporary Admission rules apply which in the EU allow 18 months which then can be reset by the boat leaving the EU for one day.

Ah, interesting! I hadn't twigged that. Thanks

 

[Donheist]

Ok. Really helpful, thanks. So I think that means That if I had vat paperwork it would be all easy. But since I don’t I would either need to risk having to stump up vat in Cagliari or get into the temp import game which is too much hassle. If I’m in the south of France, gib or Tunisia is a long way to go every 18 months. (The schengen restrictions don’t impact until I have the luxury of more than 3 months time off which will be a few years yet)

 

[Tranona]

Evidence that your boat was in the EU on B day is acceptable. people use such things as letters from the marina, marina receipts, timed photos. There is not a prescribed form of evidence, but as I said best you talk to cistoms where you are and find out what is acceptable.