VAT question again.

[[178529]]

I have a 1988 mgc27 that I bought from the local boatyard. I have a previous bill of sale from 2015 as well. I also have registered it via the SSR to myself and have an old IRC certificate dating from 2010.

However I want to bring her over to France next year and worry about proving Vat status. With an old boat such as this, what it the best way to get it. I believe the original owner passed away a while ago.

 

[Graham376]

As a temporary visitor to the EU rather than a resident, you shouldn't have any problems. Any UK VAT status will by then be totally irrelevant as we'll be out of the customs union.

 

[duncan99210]

I wouldn’t worry about it at all. Once we leave the EU, VAT status on visiting yachts is a thing of the past. The only reason some folks have worried about it in the past was the concern that some overzealous customs official in an EU country would demand Proof of VAT having been paid. Becasue the U.K. was part of the EU, then you might have needed to prove UK VAT had been paid to avoid the customs trying to sting you again.
That will no longer be the case post 31 December. Once the U.K. exited the transition period, the VAT status of U.K. owned vessels is the sole responsibility of the U.K. government.
However, your boat will be subject tonot being in the EU for more than 18months at a time. Otherwise you’ll have to import it into the EU and that will entail paying VAT at the time and place of import.

 

[awol]

...... or move it to Eire this year and get the best of both regimes with the added benefit of a 14 day stay-over while there and, who knows, perhaps in UK as well.

 

[Graham376]

...... or move it to Eire this year and get the best of both regimes with the added benefit of a 14 day stay-over while there and, who knows, perhaps in UK as well.

Taking a boat to the EU will only safeguard its EU VAT status as long as it stays there and the owner will be restricted to 90/180. As soon as the boat comes back to the UK, it appears it will have lost its EU status again - this is being looked into by RYA at the moment.