Entry fee cruising budget

[harmonytek]

Every cruiser has a different lifestyle, some favor rum, some have a (bilge) wine cellar. Some like Caviar, some like fish eggs. So budget questions can get tied up into lifestyle. All that said, gov't fees get paid by all...(or not)...

Assuming I am keeping legal, what should I budget for a three year stay in the Med, South Pacific, or Virgin Islands for entry/port/customs/tax fees.

Some say to sail out of EU to Africa every (x) months... is this true for all locales? How much does moving often reduce or increase fees.

[James S]

In Lebanon if your boat is less than 15 meters long and you stay in country for more than 3 months (can be extended to 6) it will be an import and you will pay 25% of the value of the boat.

Many European/med countries are similar and will charge VAT (value added tax)
I don’t know any of those specifics’....

[harmonytek]

How is an old boat valued? Market, depreciated original cost, insurance, best guess?

[Ram]

Originally Posted by harmonytek

Assuming I am keeping legal, what should I budget for a three year stay in the Med, South Pacific, or Virgin Islands for entry/port/customs/tax fees.

Some say to sail out of EU to Africa every (x) months... is this true for all locales? How much does moving often reduce or increase fees.

Thats one of those questions that cannot be answered because it depends on where you go , how often you check in or out of each country-

[nautical62]

www.noonsite.com gives the permit and length of stay limitations for many cruising destinations

[Hud3]

noonsite is your best bet, but it's info is not always up to date. They rely heavily on cruisers emailing them with the latest on entry fees and other pertinent information, which they promptly post on their site.

[harmonytek]

Thanks for the "noonsite link" there is lots of info there.

[Talbot]

Routine in EU at the moment is a stay is allowed up to 18 months (can be a bit longer if the boat is decommissioned), but then has to leave to avoid tax. The rules allow you to return from a non EU harbour within 24 hours to re-qualify, but I would not be surprised if that changes.

In Norway it is a lot shorter - 90 days and then you have to leave for 90 days before you return

I would not be surprised if the EU tightens up its rules.

You can import on the cheapest VAT (15% at the moment) within the EU and it then remains valid for all EU (supposedly) but some countries are not obeying the EU rules! (now there is a surprise)

[MoonlightShadow]

Are the Channel Islands classed as a non-EU Country, I wonder aloud.

[James S]

Harmony
In leb. the value of the boat, if used, is determined my one of only two or three guys that are supposedly surveyors...spelled with a $$$$