Sale of yacht in fiji

[wavedancer01]

We are comtemplating selling our yacht in Fiji. We have had a enquirey but asked us many questions about duty etc. So we own the yacht and are australian citizens and the yacht is flagged Australia.
He is a us citizen and wishes to buy the yacht from me in Fiji. If we do the deal and change of ownership is there any need for concern about duty etc.
Appreciate any tips on selling a yacht in Fiji

[Mr B]

There is no duty payable between Australia and USA, Freetrade Agreement,
Not sure on GST, If paid by Seller or not,
There is a duty payable if you sell in Fiji to the Fiji Govt,

I did it the other way round, I bought my Boat in Fiji from a US Citizen with a USA registered boat,
I had to pay 10% GST when I got it to OZ,

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Mr B

There is no duty payable between Australia and USA, Freetrade Agreement,
Not sure on GST, If paid by Seller or not,
There is a duty payable if you sell in Fiji to the Fiji Govt,

I did it the other way round, I bought my Boat in Fiji from a US Citizen with a USA registered boat,
I had to pay 10% GST when I got it to OZ,

As I u derstand it the free trade agreement applies to items manufactured in the respective countries, not items exported from one to another.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Paul L

As I u derstand it the free trade agreement applies to items manufactured in the respective countries, not items exported from one to another.

My boat was also manufactured in the USA,

Depends on where the OP's boat was built, Thats a different story if not built in the USA or OZ,

[GordMay]

Robertson and Caine (Pty) Ltd manufactures in Cape Town, South Africa.

[Walaby]

I've just come back from Fiji and looked at a yacht for sale whilst there. There is a broker based in Sydney Nautilus Yacht Management (no connection) that seems to have a number of yachts in Fiji on its books - they might be able to help you with the tax & duty questions. Can I ask where you advertised your yacht for sale as I am still interested in purchasing in and around fiji.

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by Mr B

There is no duty payable between Australia and USA, Freetrade Agreement,
,

There is a misunderstanding here. The US-Australia agreement covers Australia-made goods sent to the US and vice versa. The nationality of the seller does not matter.

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by wavedancer01

We are comtemplating selling our yacht in Fiji. We have had a enquirey but asked us many questions about duty etc. So we own the yacht and are australian citizens and the yacht is flagged Australia.
He is a us citizen and wishes to buy the yacht from me in Fiji. If we do the deal and change of ownership is there any need for concern about duty etc.
Appreciate any tips on selling a yacht in Fiji

"Duty" is not specific enough.

If you are asking about US duty that may apply when the new US owner gets back to US waters on the new boat, then nationality of seller is irrelevant. What matters is where was the boat made. CORRECTION: I have just read that South African-made boats may be free of US duty . Google "Africa Growth and Opportunities Act" "HS Code 8903.91.0035".

If you are asking about Fiji, I have no idea. Safe procedure is to clear out , close the transaction in international waters and either clear back in or sail to another country, but it is tricky to arrange new papers quickly enough. I know how to do it with UK register but not with US register.

[Fore and Aft]

Wallaby was that the one with the teak deck you were talking about?
Cheers

[Walaby]

Hi Fore & Aft - No not the Hallsberg-Rassy 42 with the teak decks which looks like it has a deposit now. I was there visiting friends enroute back to Auckland & getting some hard stand work done & looked at a couple of yachts for sale at Vuda Marina while I was there. Was impressed with the set up there and thought I'd keep an eye out for a good buy around there in the future

[lubopng]

Originally Posted by svlamorocha

"Duty" is not specific enough.

If you are asking about US duty that may apply when the new US owner gets back to US waters on the new boat, then nationality of seller is irrelevant. What matters is where was the boat made. CORRECTION: I have just read that South African-made boats may be free of US duty . Google "Africa Growth and Opportunities Act" "HS Code 8903.91.0035".

If you are asking about Fiji, I have no idea. Safe procedure is to clear out , close the transaction in international waters and either clear back in or sail to another country, but it is tricky to arrange new papers quickly enough. I know how to do it with UK register but not with US register.

Hi ,
please send me same info on UK register thank you ! Lubo lubopng@gmail.com

[Fore and Aft]

When I was there a couple of cruisers had snapped up some real bargains that they had heard about through friends. Thats often how the best deals are found.

Cheers

[Bill Garlick]

You might like to take a careful look at the terms of visitor entry to Fiji. Unless regulations have recently changed a vessel owned by a visitor can't be involved in any commercial activity. The sale of a vessel can be deemed to be a commercial activity thereby attracting duty and GST. Also the authorities have the right to confiscate the vessel.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Bill Garlick

You might like to take a careful look at the terms of visitor entry to Fiji. Unless regulations have recently changed a vessel owned by a visitor can't be involved in any commercial activity. The sale of a vessel can be deemed to be a commercial activity thereby attracting duty and GST. Also the authorities have the right to confiscate the vessel.

You buy and sell your yacht on the high seas away from Fiji,
After you have signed out of the country,

[robbiekg]

Can i ask is it essential to sail to another county for the transaction or just sail out of Fijian Waters. I have been told I need to sail to Futuna to make the deal go through and get papers port clearance for proof. thank you