PDA

View Full Version : Howto: Import sailing yacht from USA to EU?

B33RND
09-24-2009, 05:42 AM
I am planning to buy a second hand sailing yacht at Chicago, USA, and import it to the UK.

As I have never done this before I would like to ask you some advise how to do and where to take care of: Is payment usually done via a local agent; what about VAT when importing to EU; is there a kind of refund of US tax when exporting; which shipping company is recommended for transport; etc. etc.

Thanks for any applicable information.
apex1
09-24-2009, 11:04 AM
Is payment usually done via a local agent; what about VAT when importing to EU; is there a kind of refund of US tax when exporting; which shipping company is recommended for transport; etc. etc.
Thanks for any applicable information.

Payment is done by LC if you want to stay safe!
VAT has to be paid on entry
US tax will be refunded when the boat leaves the US

Call "Kühne & Nagel" (the largest and best worldwide) they handle it all for you! And much cheaper than you could handle it yourself!

Regards
Richard
B33RND
09-24-2009, 12:00 PM
Payment is done by LC if you want to stay safe!

What means 'LC'?

US tax will be refunded when the boat leaves the US

Is that also the case with second hand boats?

Berend
apex1
09-24-2009, 01:15 PM
What means 'LC'?
Is that also the case with second hand boats?
Berend

I´m not sure about second hand goods, but it should be.

LC is Letter of Credit, that is the most reliable way for both parties in international trades to get what they have agreed.

You will not get the boat if the Bank does´nt pay the seller, he will not get your money until the boat is safe on board the freighter.

Call K&N as mentioned, they handle that for you.http://www.kn-portal.com/locations/
if you do´nt like the Germans residing in Switzerland, go with the Austrians owned by Germans:http://www.schenker.com/

Regards
Richard
Crag Cay.
09-24-2009, 04:32 PM
Don't forget to thoroughly research to what extent you will need to comply with the RCD in the EU.
B33RND
09-24-2009, 04:52 PM
Don't forget to thoroughly research to what extent you will need to comply with the RCD in the EU.

Well, the boat I am focusing on is CE-A certified. I will at least make sure that this sheet of paper is available. Or are there more things to take care of??

Berend
apex1
09-24-2009, 05:04 PM
Well, the boat I am focusing on is CE-A certified. I will at least make sure that this sheet of paper is available. Or are there more things to take care of??
Berend

No!
And as long as you do not deal with boats even the CE cert is not that important.

Richard
Crag Cay.
09-25-2009, 06:31 AM
If you register on the RYA site, they have a .pdf with all the information on it. There are quite a few issues including RCD compliance as well as managing to extract a VAT receipt from HMRC.

If you join the RYA, then their legal and technical departments are the best source of help.
B33RND
09-25-2009, 07:54 AM
I have been told that, when one imports a boat to the European Union, the VAT of the country visited first need to be paid. The VAT in UK is 15% and in the Netherlands is 20% (the Netherlands will be the new home country for the boat).

The actual reason for me to transport the yacht first to the UK is to save this 5% VAT. After the VAT have been paid in the UK I will take the boat anyway to the Netherlands. Once the VAT has been paid in UK I don't need to pay VAT in the Netherlands again.

This story is told to me by someone. Is that correct??
apex1
09-25-2009, 07:56 AM
That is correct!

And doŽnt bother with other regulations, they doŽnt apply for a private used boat!

What kind of boat is it? any picture?
B33RND
09-25-2009, 07:57 AM
If you register on the RYA site, they have a .pdf with all the information on it. There are quite a few issues including RCD compliance as well as managing to extract a VAT receipt from HMRC.

If you join the RYA, then their legal and technical departments are the best source of help.

Perhaps you are willing to post this .pdf? I am Dutch and not registered.

Thanks in advance.
B33RND
09-25-2009, 08:20 AM
That is correct!

And doŽnt bother with other regulations, they doŽnt apply for a private used boat!

What kind of boat is it? any picture?

Ok, but do you know something about refund of USA VAT when exporting? Because that's the most interesting regulation in my case :) .

Picture: http://h.imagehost.org/view/0496/boat
Crag Cay.
09-25-2009, 09:30 AM
Here's the documents.
B33RND
09-25-2009, 10:11 AM
Here's the documents.

Thank you very much. I will pass through them.

Berend
apex1
09-25-2009, 10:31 AM
Ahh, a Fisher! Is it a 30 or 32?

I cannot elaborate on tax refunds in the US I just do´nt know.
But why are´nt you asking K&N? Be sure you are unable to get the boat to Europe as cheap as they can, and it´s just a phone call.
They can tell you the tel.# of the presidents concubine if you need that.

Richard
mark775
09-25-2009, 02:43 PM
Sales tax is at state level. Call Illinois Department of Revenue 1 800 732-8866 or 1 217 782-3336. They should have a form for you to fill out and prove that you don't live there. No sales tax should be levied but get it handled in advance because it is 6.5 % there and if the agency gets the money, it may take time to get it back. Some states have laws specifically addressing this so that you simply write the passport or driver's license number on the bill of sale and it's done. I don't know about Illinois.
B33RND
09-25-2009, 03:59 PM
Ahh, a Fisher! Is it a 30 or 32?

I cannot elaborate on tax refunds in the US I just doŽnt know.
But why areŽnt you asking K&N? Be sure you are unable to get the boat to Europe as cheap as they can, and itŽs just a phone call.
They can tell you the tel.# of the presidents concubine if you need that.

Richard

It's a 37.

I probably will call K&N, but when I don't gather information myself, anybody can tell me anything about this topic.
apex1
09-25-2009, 05:31 PM
It's a 37.
I probably will call K&N, but when I don't gather information myself, anybody can tell me anything about this topic.

If they did tell just one customer silly stories they were out of business overnight. These shipping agents handle billions a month, they know something about the business.
I have to ship some 60 boats p.a. I would NOT do it myself. But knowing more is not a fault.

Regards
Richard
B33RND
10-01-2009, 04:06 PM
That is correct!

And doŽnt bother with other regulations, they doŽnt apply for a private used boat!

What kind of boat is it? any picture?


Now, I found in the documentation from Crag Cay the following:

"An individual cannot choose where VAT is paid, as there are EU laws that determine where and when the tax is due."

As I am planning to pay VAT in UK, is somebody able to clarify this information which is coming from the Royal Yachting Association.

Thanks
Crag Cay.
10-01-2009, 05:55 PM
No, you don't have a 'choice', it's the first country in the EU where the boat lands. If it's unloaded in the UK, the rule is that's where the VAT is paid. You can't unload in Germany and opt to pay the VAT in Spain, even if you are resident in Spain.

People coming across the Atlantic on their own bottoms sometimes come unstuck if they land in the Azores as that's where they have to deal with VAT.
Raggi_Thor
10-01-2009, 06:05 PM
Nice boat.
Now I see why UK:
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/rates/vat_rates_en.pdf
wardd
10-01-2009, 06:46 PM
cant you just sail it across and tell them you were swimming back to europe and found it?
Fanie
10-01-2009, 07:14 PM
Why don't you just sail the thing home. By the time you get there you will know how everything operates, gain some good experience.
B33RND
10-02-2009, 02:20 PM
My daily business is crossing the oceans, and I have seen to much to go there with such a small boat.

However sailing home by somebody else would be an option. Do somebody know average prices companies are asking for that. Perhaps a rate per day?

Thanks
Fanie
10-02-2009, 06:55 PM
Maybe Manie would like to do it ;)
Crag Cay.
10-04-2009, 05:09 PM
Contact these people with all the details and they'll give you a quotation.

http://www.pydw.co.uk/index.htm
gonzo
10-04-2009, 06:58 PM
In the USA you simply sign a form that says you don't live in the state you are buying the boat and it exempts you from the tax.
apex1
10-04-2009, 07:13 PM
Contact these people with all the details and they'll give you a quotation.


And pay 50% more than you must! Contact K&N as mentioned in my first reply.
B33RND
10-08-2009, 11:12 AM
New question: In which cases I need to pay importation dues and in which cases not in United Kingdom?? And are these regulations different in each country?

I have read that boats bigger than 12 mtr, which are seagoing yachts, are free of importation dues. But in my case the hull length is 11,33 mtr (as stated on the builders certificate) while the length over all is 12,96 mtr.

Thanks for replying!

Berend
B33RND
10-15-2009, 10:35 AM
And pay 50% more than you must! Contact K&N as mentioned in my first reply.

Apex1, I am actually trying to reach them without succeeding. Can you give me your contact person within C&N??

Thanks in advance,

Berend
apex1
10-15-2009, 10:43 AM
Try here:
http://knlogin.kuehne-nagel.com/apps/seaPublicQuotation.do?navbarId=1

or give them a call in Hamburg +49 40 73415-0 they will lead you to your local office.
We have a customer login which I cannot open to the public!

Regards
Richard

View Full Version : Howto: Import sailing yacht from USA to EU?