Has import GST been paid on boat -Australia

[moreton99]

Hi,

Looking at buying a US built boat thats been in Aus for about 5 years. Do I need to be careful that it's import GST has been paid? If it has been registered in Aus does that mean its ok?

Paul.

[StuM]

Lots of boats are imported into Australia from all over the world. If it has been in country for 5 years and is Aus registered, you can be pretty certain that GST and Duty were paid. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by StuM

Lots of boats are imported into Australia from all over the world. If it has been in country for 5 years and is Aus registered, you can be pretty certain that GST and Duty were paid. I wouldn't worry about it.

I would. I would want to see a receipt from ACS/ATO for the GST

[Jim Cate]

I should think that a call to Customs (errr... Border Force!) would generate the info from the most authoritative source of all! But really, if the boat has been imported, the owner was given a form substantiating that event. We are asked to show this every time we enter the country.

Jim

[Alan Mighty]

Yep. I've only imported one yacht into Aus.

That was enough pain for me.

Definitely ask the vendor to prove that duty and GST etc have been paid. You don't want the Border Force thugs to be chasing you.

Registration, whether state registration or registration with the federal authorities to get an Official Number as an Australian registered ship, proves nothing about the payment of duty and GST. I registered my yacht with state and federal authorities before importing it. Rego has nothing to do with duty and GST.

[Tiki2]

If it has been paid the owner will have, or be able to easily get an official documentation to prove payment. Make sure you have it, If you go abroad it will be come an issue, if you re sell it will be an issue.

[moreton99]

Thanks for the comments. Good point about selling it. I'll see what he has to say but the seller is a character and I wouldn't know what story I'll get.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by moreton99

Thanks for the comments. Good point about selling it. I'll see what he has to say but the seller is a character and I wouldn't know what story I'll get.

Again, don't depend upon the selling person, especially if he is a "character".

Call Customs with boat details. They will know for sure if it has been legally imported. No one else does...

Jim

[SimonV]

What your after is a "D" notice.

[Barney21]

My experience in importing from anywhere to Auz, is you are presented an account for all your fees etc from Govt which will include your freight charges etc and the final figure on the acct is the GST amount,and you will not get your goods till that is all paid in full. Also you will not be able to get the vehicle/boat whatever registered unless you have proof of all those payments. I am sure you could trace the payment if that makes you feel easier.

[gbmacca]

If the vessel came in by ship and was offloaded via a port, GST would have to be paid.

However, if the 'original' owner sailed it in and said he was only staying a short time - who knows.

Is the person you are buying off, the original importer?

If not, then if you wish to take the risk, you could discount the selling price by 10% to offset any penalties in the future.

I don't know - if you did get caught - and after 5 years I think not - whether customs value the vessel 'as is' today, or go back to estimated value 5 years ago.

Your call

GBmacca

[El Pinguino]

Pre computers and stuff ... maybe 30 years ago ... it is conceivable that a boat could have found its way into Oz without being imported... more about that in a mo.

5 years ago? extremely unlikely....

Something over 30 years ago in Oz I worked with a bloke who owned a boat.... a 'built in Chile' boat ...

And having owned it for some years he went to do something with her involving the government...don't recall what ... but that was when the poo hit the fan...

Seems someone had sailed from Oz inthe 70's in an Oz built yacht.... and ended up on a reef somewhere in the Sopac....

So they acquired another yacht and sailed home ... you can see where this is going can't you?

Make sure all paperwork is in order before any money changes hands.