stevenawatt
Member
I'm looking to buy a gulfstar ketch from america and sail it home. What do I need to be awair of duty wise and being able to register the yacht in this country or any other pitfalls?
what do i need to do to import a yacht from america
- Thread starter stevenawatt
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Lizzie_B
Well-Known Member
IT's quite a cmplicated question as things are dependent on details of yacht and it's history, your own personal status etc. I have been involved in this twice. You're welcome to PM me and discuss all the various details.
pbs
New Member
It's pretty simple really, I did the same thing with a Gulfstar 50 ketch 18 months ago. You need to de-register with the US authorities and re-register with the UK before you leave (which you can do from over there), then pay the VAT when you get back. In my case they calculated the VAT on the basis of the sale price. Import duty is only payable on boats under 12m, so that may apply depending on which Gulfstar you buy.
One thing to bear in mind is that you'll probably need to get it out of the state in which you buy it within 30 days to avoid paying local sales tax. This is certainly true in Florida, where I bought mine, but if you take the boat out of the water to do some work on it then the 30 days starts when you relaunch which is fair enough.
RCD certification seems to be a bit of a grey area but I was advised by the MCA that it is probably only really necessary if you're planning to sell the boat. A yacht imported for personal use would apparently not be required to be certified, but I got differing opinions on this so you should probably check the current situation.
Overall it was a pretty straightforward exercise and, in my opinion, well worth doing.
One thing to bear in mind is that you'll probably need to get it out of the state in which you buy it within 30 days to avoid paying local sales tax. This is certainly true in Florida, where I bought mine, but if you take the boat out of the water to do some work on it then the 30 days starts when you relaunch which is fair enough.
RCD certification seems to be a bit of a grey area but I was advised by the MCA that it is probably only really necessary if you're planning to sell the boat. A yacht imported for personal use would apparently not be required to be certified, but I got differing opinions on this so you should probably check the current situation.
Overall it was a pretty straightforward exercise and, in my opinion, well worth doing.
Lizzie_B
Well-Known Member
Actually, in FL it's 90 days after completion of the sale, or 20 days after leaving a recognised repair facility (ie yard where you are having work done).Whilst in the RRF you cannot have 'control' of the boat - ie you can't live on it or use it.
You are not allowed to re enter FL for 6 months.
If you are buying in FL make sure the vendors boat taxes are all paid up.
One friend was hounded for two years for the previous owners tax arrears plus interest by the Florida D of R. Until it was sorted out they refused to de register the boat from the FL registry which meant he could not register the boat in his home country.
Different states have different rules on this so it's important to know the State you're buying in's rules. Some will give you up to six months to remove.
You have to produce proof of re registration and removal from the state within the time period or you are liable to interest plus double the amount of FL sales tax due.
Re RCD - Compliance requirements come into force not when you sell but when you 'put into service' in the EU.
The MCA take the attitude that they are unlikely to be bothered to check it - however, not all EU authorities are as laid back.
The 'personal use and first offered for sale' rules apply if the vessel fits one of the RCD exemption categories. eg self build, is one of them.
I can email you a copy of the RCD if want - save you some hours trolling various websites.
VAT in the UK is chargeable on the 'landed value' which includes all costs (including, bizarrely, import duty if the vessel is below 40 ft) to bring the boat back plus C&E valuation of what the boat is worth on the UK market.
They are not required to calculate it on the Bill of Sale. You were fortunate if they did. They must have been having a nice day.
It is worth looking into various ports of EU entry to see which will give you the lowest VAT rate.
The Azores used to do a good package for East Bound yachts, but things may have changed.
Possibly you may get a better deal 'importing' through some of the French Caribean Islands.
It may also be worth looking at importing into a state that is about to join the EU -then if the boat is there on accession day it becomes exempt RCD and VAT, although it will be subject to local import duties.
When all said and done, it is still a worth while exercise for the right boats, but it needs to be researched each time to maximise savings and get the best outcome for each individual case. Don't be in a rush.
You are not allowed to re enter FL for 6 months.
If you are buying in FL make sure the vendors boat taxes are all paid up.
One friend was hounded for two years for the previous owners tax arrears plus interest by the Florida D of R. Until it was sorted out they refused to de register the boat from the FL registry which meant he could not register the boat in his home country.
Different states have different rules on this so it's important to know the State you're buying in's rules. Some will give you up to six months to remove.
You have to produce proof of re registration and removal from the state within the time period or you are liable to interest plus double the amount of FL sales tax due.
Re RCD - Compliance requirements come into force not when you sell but when you 'put into service' in the EU.
The MCA take the attitude that they are unlikely to be bothered to check it - however, not all EU authorities are as laid back.
The 'personal use and first offered for sale' rules apply if the vessel fits one of the RCD exemption categories. eg self build, is one of them.
I can email you a copy of the RCD if want - save you some hours trolling various websites.
VAT in the UK is chargeable on the 'landed value' which includes all costs (including, bizarrely, import duty if the vessel is below 40 ft) to bring the boat back plus C&E valuation of what the boat is worth on the UK market.
They are not required to calculate it on the Bill of Sale. You were fortunate if they did. They must have been having a nice day.
It is worth looking into various ports of EU entry to see which will give you the lowest VAT rate.
The Azores used to do a good package for East Bound yachts, but things may have changed.
Possibly you may get a better deal 'importing' through some of the French Caribean Islands.
It may also be worth looking at importing into a state that is about to join the EU -then if the boat is there on accession day it becomes exempt RCD and VAT, although it will be subject to local import duties.
When all said and done, it is still a worth while exercise for the right boats, but it needs to be researched each time to maximise savings and get the best outcome for each individual case. Don't be in a rush.
pbs
New Member
Good point about the taxes, my broker used a lawyer to go through the boat's history to check it was all OK. Definitely worth doing.
I guess I was lucky with the VAT but HMRC never mentioned any other way of assessing it. They just asked what the boat was worth so I said probably the same as I paid for it, and sent them the bill of sale which they seemed satisfied with.
On the way back from the US I was boarded by French customs off Brest who went through all my paperwork very thoroughly indeed and asked about the VAT. I explained that I had already notified UK Customs about my plans and would be paying it as soon as I arrived home, which they were perfectly satisfied with even though I had been cruising in French waters for 2 weeks. They never mentioned the RCD which was fortunate!
Sounds like you've got extensive experience of importing yachts and you say that it can be worth doing which is something I'd definitely agree with. I've only done it once but would certainly do it again, although as you say I was lucky and there are plenty of potential pitfalls to be aware of.
I guess I was lucky with the VAT but HMRC never mentioned any other way of assessing it. They just asked what the boat was worth so I said probably the same as I paid for it, and sent them the bill of sale which they seemed satisfied with.
On the way back from the US I was boarded by French customs off Brest who went through all my paperwork very thoroughly indeed and asked about the VAT. I explained that I had already notified UK Customs about my plans and would be paying it as soon as I arrived home, which they were perfectly satisfied with even though I had been cruising in French waters for 2 weeks. They never mentioned the RCD which was fortunate!
Sounds like you've got extensive experience of importing yachts and you say that it can be worth doing which is something I'd definitely agree with. I've only done it once but would certainly do it again, although as you say I was lucky and there are plenty of potential pitfalls to be aware of.
Lizzie_B
Well-Known Member
Yes, I would say it's definitely worth it, but to view it as a long term 'project' and do plenty of research.
The laws of the various US states can vary quite a bit. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
There are of course some RCD exempt boats in the States and the Caribean.
I also found the price differential tends to reduce when you get to smaller boats - say below 36 feet.
Also - regarding removal for sales tax reasons- trucking is much cheaper out there and of course simplifies the paperwork. You just send DoR the trucking invoice.
It also opens up the West Coast boat market.
Boat storage and equipment costs are so much cheaper over there, especially away from prime tourist areas, it's worth taking your time and fitting out as much as possible over there, before coming back to EU- plus it's nice to take the opportunity to cruise over there. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The laws of the various US states can vary quite a bit. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
There are of course some RCD exempt boats in the States and the Caribean.
I also found the price differential tends to reduce when you get to smaller boats - say below 36 feet.
Also - regarding removal for sales tax reasons- trucking is much cheaper out there and of course simplifies the paperwork. You just send DoR the trucking invoice.
It also opens up the West Coast boat market.
Boat storage and equipment costs are so much cheaper over there, especially away from prime tourist areas, it's worth taking your time and fitting out as much as possible over there, before coming back to EU- plus it's nice to take the opportunity to cruise over there. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
stevenawatt
Member
Thanks alot for all the advice. It's a 43 footer which sounds like I'll be ok with the import duty. I'll get in touch with uk customs re the tax and look into getting a lawyer to check out the US tax issues. In the meantime I've found another GS 43 for sale in Portugal, which may be the better, less hastle way to go. Although I'll still have the RCD problem.
Thanks LIZZIE_B for the offer of a copy of the RCD. My Email is stevenawatt@aol.com
Thanks LIZZIE_B for the offer of a copy of the RCD. My Email is stevenawatt@aol.com
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
The RCD applies to all vessels launched new in the EU as of June 16th 1998. It follows that earlier vessels are not required to demonstrate compliance nor is it an issue for officialdom when buying or selling within the EU.
Gaining RCD clearance on an individual boat basis is apparently enough to test the patient of a saint.
Since 1998 a number of US builders have undertaken the work needed to gain RCD compliance for their products- worth checking this out.
Buying a used vessel in Portugal, originally imported from the US will fall into the net as above.
I stand to be corrected, but I have never experienced any official body interfering in a sale on the grounds of compliance with the RCD - it seems the directive is for new builders within the EU. And is basically, of course, an anti-competitive measure against all things non-EU ! Authorities in the EU are most concerned about taxation - VAT - there is no easy loot associated with the RCD, so little official interest. A future purchaser within the EU might be put off if the vendor could not satisfy on the issue of RCD, but this is not even remotely as important as proving VAT compliance.
PWG
Gaining RCD clearance on an individual boat basis is apparently enough to test the patient of a saint.
Since 1998 a number of US builders have undertaken the work needed to gain RCD compliance for their products- worth checking this out.
Buying a used vessel in Portugal, originally imported from the US will fall into the net as above.
I stand to be corrected, but I have never experienced any official body interfering in a sale on the grounds of compliance with the RCD - it seems the directive is for new builders within the EU. And is basically, of course, an anti-competitive measure against all things non-EU ! Authorities in the EU are most concerned about taxation - VAT - there is no easy loot associated with the RCD, so little official interest. A future purchaser within the EU might be put off if the vendor could not satisfy on the issue of RCD, but this is not even remotely as important as proving VAT compliance.
PWG
