Hi all

im new  here and even newer to sailing so please be gentle

Ok so in 4/5 years we are going to sail the med/world for as long as we feel or the money runsout lol

so doing a lot of info seeking at the moment, we lived in scotland then 2 years ago moved to france so we are EU citizens so here's the big Q

1) I know that i will have to pay VAT on a yacht from the USA as soon as I dock in any EU country but what about this CE safety mark (the yacht about 45 footer anywhere between2/5 years old) will this still apply if i have her  reg with the USA flag

2)how does Uk compare to other Eu countries when working out the value of the yacht and how do they work out the value as i have read that they dont work on how much you have payed ??

thanks in advance and look forward to reading the replys

alex

Might be wrong in saying this but if you maintain the boat as US registered where local tax has been paid-and you are living aboard and not permanently resident in any particular country then you are not liable for local tax.

Only problem then in Europe is that you will keep being pestered by Customs as a foreign vessel-if you fly a flag!?

The regs. for VAT  revolve around "permanently importing "and whether you are "permanently resident"-its the same with personal tax.

Phil

RYA website gives information about this, under 'HMRC Reference:Notice 8 (December 2002) '. Temporary import of a vessel flagged outside the EU is possible for 18 months but only if the owner is based outside EU also. In your case the rules are pretty clear - you must register and pay up immediately.

 Again, search on RCD on the RYA site and all will be explained. Suggestion seems to be that in the case of importing from USA it can be expensive, e.g. fuel tanks may need to be changed. Sounds like it might be easier to sell the boat in USA and buy another over here.

Presumably you are planning to buy a boat in the USA because of the extremely attractive exchange rate? It's worth adding up all the additional costs that wil be involved (travel to inspect prospective purchase, almost certainly repeat travel to complete sale etc, travel to collect and delivery across Atlantic, re-registration, alterations to fit the RCD and so on) and asking if it is such a bargain after all.

There are always bargain boats to be bought at Gibraltar, where some people's dream voyage-of-a-lifetime ends after a nightmare in Biscay. You might get a better deal by looking there: far fewer and lower air fares involved, and boat will probably already be CE compliant! Also you can start your adventures in the Med, which is probably a better learning ground for a new skipper than the Atlantic or the Pacific.

As to the VAT valuation, I think the Customs probably have a reasonable idea of what boats are worth. The reason they don't automatically work on how much has been paid is to stop people presenting a joke invoice: £30,000 for a £300,000 boat, say, and expecting to get away with it. If the invoice looks about right for the boat, they will probably accept it at face value.

Especially if it is to be your first boat, you should spend as much time between now and then doing as much sailing as you can on as many different boats as you can, to start to build up a picture of what works for you, and what you should be looking for when you come to make the choice.

Good luck with the hunt!

Suggest you import via Spain or Italy, they are bit more "laid - back" re regulations, and probably with values as well. They tend to be more concerned about getting the "dosh" than the niceties of gas pipe certification!

(BTW You will find that what is almost compulsory in the UK - Corgi approved installation, is actually illergal in the US - they don't like lots of joints - quite rightly in my opinion. Wheras what they have in the US is not liked by UK Insurers - although a US Coastguard Certification will shut them up!)

You could also look for EU Country with the lowest rate of VAT, as long as it is paid in the EU - its paid.

You could also look at Channel Islands Registration, no VAT there either, as they are not technically part of the EU.

A CI registration is all very well - and operated in the same way as the UK system with similar documentation - but will attract endless queries whilst crusing in the EU about your VAT status and/or how long are you staying?

Belonging to a Club that does not require the exhibiting of a port of registry ( know known as port of preference) may help! 

thanks all

as i said it will be 3/4or 5 years time and just trying to find the best way to go but just looking at a few EU web site for yachts and the price for what you get still pulls me

to looking in the usa

The one i like and ticks the lists is the Hunter 45

1) the wife won't look at anything without a full size bed and as you all know

2) it has to be an aft cabin and full liveaboard (good storage hot water ect,ect)

3) we are looking at full world cruse after about 2/3 years in the med so between

40 to 45ft long with just the two of us to crew

so any recommendations would be helpfull

thanks again

alex

Do not think that you necessarily have to go as big as that to get what you want-I would have said 40ft. so long as its a big volume cruiser-you get all of that in a boat such as  my Coaster 33-and a wheel house plus over 6 ft. headroom-over 7 ft headroom in the forcabin-water and fuel for several months at sea and more fitted wardrobes than I know what to do with!! Similar boats include The Colvic Watsons etc.though some are more motor than sail.

Remember Marinas charge per metre!!

-and before there are any comments about ability to survive capsizes etc. when the waves are big even a transatlatic liner is small!- unless you plan to spend your time in the southern ocean!!

Phil