VAT sitution ....

[Gordonmc]

My boat was imported to the EU by its then Canadian owner. It was sold to a UK subject in France who needed to sort out the VAT to get UK registration.
The purchase price was not, apparently, acceptable to the french Duanne and he had to get an independent valuation survey.
My understanding was that the French surveyor was sympathetic and employed some licence in the valuation. Thankfully the survey and proof of VAT payment stayed with the boat when it was sold to me.

 

[Tranona]

The rules allow for different bases because situations are different. For example if a boat is bought in USA and immediately imported then the purchase price is a reasonable approximation of its market value. If however it is subject to a major efit before importation its value will be higher, so customs may decide on valuation. Some boats have not changed hands recently before importing so a valuation is needed. Difficult to say which is better from the payers point of view, but I guess a surveyor would find lots of faults and limited data on sales, so valuation could be favourable (ie low).