Import of EU Boat into Texas

[Cavalier]

We're considering buying a boat in the EU without VAT, sailing directly to Norway where we'll prepare the boat in under 180days and re-enter the EU during May/June spending up to 18 months cruising in the med before joining the ARC to leave the EU and cross to the Americas. From their we'll take the boat up to Galveston where we plan on living.

Anybody have an idea on the taxes that would be involved in keeping or importing the boat into the state of texas?

[Cavalier]

I've found a site claiming that import tax is only 1.5% can this be true?

[Mimsy]

ARe either one of you American?

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by Mimsy

ARe either one of you American?

Yes! My wife's from TX...

[Mimsy]

Are you going to be registering the boat with the Coast Guard? If so, I think your numbers are just about right at 1.5% or so.

[CarlF]

I think the 1.5% is right. I know someone who imported a UK boat and the tax was something like that rate. You'll also need to understand the Texas sales tax. It may not apply since you will have owned the boat for over a year when you import it.

What country will you flag it in before returning to the US?

Carl

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by CarlF

I think the 1.5% is right. I know someone who imported a UK boat and the tax was something like that rate. You'll also need to understand the Texas sales tax. It may not apply since you will have owned the boat for over a year when you import it.

What country will you flag it in before returning to the US?

Carl

We're probably looking at buying used VAT paid in the UK (with red ensign to reflect my englishness), sailing direct for Norway for prep work and where we'll keep her for less than 180days to avoid import duties. The back into the EU via Denmark.

[kenny chaos]

After the typical yes/no replies on the internet,
I did a search for customs in Rochester, NY where I live, and where I may bring a boat from Canada.
I talked to the director there who asked where it was built.
When I said U.S. or Canada, he said it would be exempt from import duty.
We will register in New York State at the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and pay NY state sales taxes (8%). I have a special form required by my local DMV to be filled out by seller (bill of sale).
He was very helpful and I'd suggest you maybe call Customs in Galveston.
Really not hard at all, and I hate red tape.
Good luck-
Kenny

[goboatingnow]

Couple of things, I presume neither of you are tax residents of any EU state, irrepective of your passport. If you any of you are travelling using an EU passport, you will have trouble with the 18 month VAT exemption as you will good proof that you are not a tax resident.

Secondly you but most certainly your wife will be suject to the Schengen Visa Wavier tourist rules, thats 90 days iin 180 in totalled across all the schengen countries you visit. ( ALL of the EU including Norway). That boat can stay for 18 months the crew cant.

oops sorry I see your based in Norway,that might explain.

A better suggestion by the way would be to take the boat to Ireland. Ireland is not in the Schengen area, its meets the requirement to take teh boat out of teh UK for VAT reasons and is closer. Norway will be very cold and difficult to get to anytime outside the high summer.

We're probably looking at buying used VAT paid

so the 18months VAT relief has no impact in you anyway

Give it more thought.

Dave