VAT again (older boats)

[Gordonmc]

Is what remains of my memory playing tricks, or is there a cut-off on the age of a boat for liability to pay VAT? 1984 rings a bell.

There are a couple of boats in an EU accession country, one built 1979, the other 1983. They may be worth having a second look at, but there may be no proof of VAT paid. Both boats are French built.
Any ideas?

 

[pmyatt]

If the boats concerned are Strongbow and Flying Frog, contact me for the answer.

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
If the boats concerned are Strongbow and Flying Frog, contact me for the answer.

[/ QUOTE ]Why the big secret? - this could affect other forumites or is there something dodgy with the above boats? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[pmyatt]

It's not a big secret but the answer will probably not be applicable to the general run of VAT queries. Strongbow is a 1979 Jeanneau Gin Fiz 38 imported into Cyprus by a Cypriot brockerage, Orbit Marine of Nicosia. Orbit Marine paid import duty on the vessel and subsequently sold it to the British Forces Cyprus in Jan 1991. VAT was not paid as there was no VAT in Cyprus at the time. Strongbow is thus duty paid but there is no surviving documentation to prove it - except possibly at Orbit Marine or Cyprus Customs HQ in Nicosia. Flying Frog is a 1983 Beneteau First 32 which is definitely not duty paid or VAT paid and has remained in Cyprus under British Forces duty free status since purchased, and is thus will be liable to Cyprus VAT at 15%.

 

[cliff]

So now we all know - thank you - VAT definitely due on one boat and probably due on the other due to lack of evidence.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[pmyatt]

True - but we still don't know if Strongbow and Flying Frog are the boats in question and, the answer has not increased the general VAT knowledge of anyone reading this.

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Gordon. Have a look at the HM Customs & Excise site. The document you want is NOTICE 8 (December 2002) "Sailing your pleasure craft to and from the United Kingdom" Update 1 November 2003 and Update 2 April 2004. Chapter 6.3 Page 22 explains all.

 

[webcraft]

Go on Steve, be a devil and post the link . . . I can't be a**ed looking it up . . .

- Nick

 

[smee]

Any boat in use prior to 1 April 1973 is not liable for VAT.
Any boat in use from 1st April '73 to 1st January 1985, which was in EU on 31st Dec 1992 (with evidence of same) is "deemed VAT paid".
Any boat not in EU on appropriate date or in use post 1 Jan 1985 is VAT liable.