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yachting questions

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yachting questions

Message posted by Frosty on 29�May�2005 at 2:55pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Frosty

Corfu

hi there

Have been reading these boards for sometime now and really impressed by all the info sharing so now it my turn to ask a question please.

We are selling up and moving to Corfu asap. We intend to sail a yacht across and would like to know what the Greek authorities require you to have paperwork wise to bring it in.

we think we may be vat exempt as we think the yacht we might buy is pre 1984. Does anyone know about this or what a VAT receipt looks like?

thanks

Message posted by Bob and Wendy (Uncle Bob) on 30�May�2005 at 12:56am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Bob and Wendy

Frosty.

Direct your enquiries to the PBO or the RYA

Bob.

Message posted by Amoussa on 30�May�2005 at 10:23am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Amoussa

Corfu

Hello Frosty,

We are also planning to sail our boat to Greece, but we have to wait for an few more years.

Have you had a look at www.noonsite.com? There's a lot of information about international sailing incl. customs etc.

Greece customs do want to see a VAT receipt. It can look like a receipt (from a new yacht) which says how much VAT you have paid. It should also be sufficient to have a letter from the tax authorities from the country you live in or where you have paid your VAT, saying you have paid the VAT. When buying a second hand boat, the owner should have such a receipt.

Goodluck.

Message posted by John and Hilary on 30�May�2005 at 11:16am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

John and Hilary

Corfu

Hi Frosty ,

The others are right re: Vat being paid and a bill of sale .

You will also need to register the boat with the SSR [ small ships registry in the UK ].It costs �12 and you will be given a unique SSR - - - - - number which must be displayed on the vessell in a certain sized format .

Contact: Registry of Shipping and Seamen

PO BOX 420. Cardiff CF 24 5XR Tel: 02920 448855

John and Hilary

Message posted by MartynG on 30�May�2005 at 11:35am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

MartynG

Corfu

Hi Frosty

Your problem (if there is one) will be one of "VAT Status". As of 31 December 1992 there was an amnesty for boats within the EU of "uncertain VAT status". Thus,to establish that the yacht was VAT paid you need to be able to prove that it was within the EU on or before that date. Such proof can obviously be a sales invoice from a broker showing that VAT was charged (or included within the price) or a mooring invoice from a Marina or similar.

It used to be possible to obtain a "VAT Paid Certificate" from the HM Customs & Excise Yacht Team at Dover, but I believe that this has now been disbanded (but I will try and find out tomorrow) - at least I haven't used them for some time.

Of course, if you are buying your yacht from or through a broker, he may well issue with an invoice (even under the second hand scheme) which will show his VAT number - this will be evidence that VAT has been accounted for on the sale as the brokers margin (profit) will be subject to VAT.

If buying privately, it will be a case of looking through the ships papers for anything that looks like an invoice (either from the original supplier or a marina/broker). It may even be worth trying to contact the orginal manufacturer or broker to obtain a copy of the original documentation - not always easy as many have changed hands or gone out of business over the intervening period, but worth a thought.

It is, however, imperative that this issue is properly sorted out before you leave UK waters and not only to satisfy the Greek authorities. The French and Spanish authorities are very strict on the question of VAT status. If you can't prove "payment" to their satisfaction, the yacht will be impounded and held until you have made the necessary payment - based upon their valuation and with higher VAT rates than the UK. I know, I have had clients (being a VAT consultant) caught in just this way.

If I can be of any further help, let me know.

Martyn

Message posted by Frosty on 30�May�2005 at 6:21pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Frosty

Corfu

Thanks everyone for your answers.

It looks as tho we may have to trawl thru the owners receipts to try to find either proof of VAT or proof of possible exemption.

Unfortunately the design team for the yacht no longer exist (as far as we know) they used to work for Swan and then went off on their own to design yachts that look very very similar to a Swan. Can't find any trace of them on the internet. It was built in S. Africa making tracing difficult.

Message posted by MartynG on 30�May�2005 at 7:04pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

MartynG

Corfu

Hi Frosty

If the yacht was built in South Africa, there is a good chance that it was formerly imported into the EEC (EU).

If memory serves me correctly, the UK was still using it's own Customs forms then, in which case you are looking for a copy of a "C10". The VAT copy of this form was printed with pale green ink. Around that time though, the UK did move onto the EU form, if this was used, you are looking for a copy of a "C88", (again pale green) or a "SAD" - Single Adminiterative Document - these could be used for either imports or exports.

Of course, the yacht may have been imported on a temporary basis originally and then caught up in the amnesty in 1992, so it could be back to square one. Like I said, if you need help, shout.

Martyn

Message posted by spartillas on 04�June�2005 at 10:12am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

spartillas

Corfu

Guys

In May last year I crewed in a 34ft 1950s wooden yacht from Dubrovnik to Corfu. We weren't hailed by the Greek Navy as we passed Ag. Stephanos although we heard other larger craft being asked for details.

Near Nissaki our engine seized and we were becalmed. The engine had been "reconditioned" in Croatia and had run only 60 or so hours (Keith the UK mechanic at Gouvia was amazed it had run that much when he stripped the engine). We had our Q flag flying and contacted Gouvia for advice. They suggested we get a tow straight to the marina. When we mentioned customs etc they said we could go directly to Gouvia and report to Customs the following day.

The next day at Gouvia we checked in with the Navy bloke there in the little office in the marina. He was extremely friendly and very laid back indeed. We mentioned VAT and he told us to go to the main Port just outside Corfu Town. On arrival there we spent about 30 minutes wandering around trying to find out who to report to. We eventually found an official who asked us the nationality of the skipper (English) and the flag of the boat (UK). He then told us to go away.

I know that regulations exist but I think you'll find they are not usually applied
in Corfu :)

Cheers
Nick

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