Belgian customs at it again

[ReneJK]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

I guess Britain will just have to wait a few months until they are officially out of the EU

months ?

years more likely

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by ReneJK

Why beat the belgians over the head for following the rules and laws ?

The rule is to ensure that the tax is being paid, not that there has never been any red dye in the tank. As was pointed out, the traces of the dye remain long after the fuel has been added in.

If they were interested in ensuring the tax was paid, a simple solution would be like other countries do. Check the receipts and use a simple formula, often 60% to see how much tax had to have been paid or must be paid. Then, if there is no tax, allow one to declare it and pay the tax. This sounds like it is simply an excuse to either collect revenue regardless of how legitimate and/or some small person flaunting their power.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by ReneJK

months ?

years more likely

Well said. +1

[Cottontop]

Originally Posted by ReneJK

months ?

years more likely

Never, most likely.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by ReneJK

Not sure how this will play out in the future .. and what other member states will do

Indeed and with the UK about to exit the EU no chance of sitting down around the table and sorting this out, there is far more important work to be done if the Europeans want continued access to the UKs markets post Brexit.

The UK has just just said "no chance" to the EU Court of Justice continuing to be able to interfere in the UK laws.

Pete

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Cottontop

Never, most likely.

Perhaps not. Geographically we are separate and we kept our own currency which is one less problem to worry about.

Pete

[ReneJK]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Indeed and with the UK about to exit the EU no chance of sitting down around the table and sorting this out, there is far more important work to be done if the Europeans want continued access to the UKs markets post Brexit.

The UK has just just said "no chance" to the EU Court of Justice continuing to be able to interfere in the UK laws.

Pete

Assuming there's something in the UK the Europeans want ?

I don't want to be sucked into a political debate but I am firmly pro-EU , it has its flaws (like everything else) like the non directly chosen EU Parliament , but the local countries send their representatives from the parties that were choosen through local elections, so through local (country) elections its kinda (flawed) democratic

But if the UK wants to leave , please let it be a hard brexit with everything up in the air and with trade barriers , tax and tariff barriers etc . It needs to be hard or else there's no incentive to get anything done. Not that wishy washy stuff .. cut it loose and mop up the pieces afterwards

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by ReneJK

I dont believe its a Belgium thingie .. its an EU law and the UK has never agreed to implement or follow this law

Brussels takes UK to court over boats using red diesel - BBC News

Now that the UK decided to leave the EU the gloves are coming off on both sides ? If this really is a EU law 'No red diesel in leisure boats' other countries (Netherlands, France , Portugal , Spain etc ) will most likely follow suit as well as the EU no longer has a need to keep the gloves on or find 'acceptable workarounds' as the UK is no longer an EU member

Not sure how this will play out in the future .. and what other memberstates will do

We don't know how it will play out in future -- as always. But there is no reason to believe that NL, France, or the Germans will change their pragmatic approach to the issue. They are doing the civilized thing -- which is not to simply harass UK boaters while the issue is being decided on the state level in the courts. This is not a new issue -- it has been brewing for 10 or 15 years.

UK boaters can't even do anything about it, so it's pure harassment to punish them, rather than argue with the UK government.

[ianmkent]

I wounder if they also check Belguim boats who have been to the UK and refuelled with red'

[ReneJK]

Originally Posted by ianmkent

I wounder if they also check Belguim boats who have been to the UK and refuelled with red'

Yes, and they have just fined a Dutch boat as well for red diesel (traces?)

[Polux]

Originally Posted by Pete7

... EU put its foot down insisting fuel for propulsion in yachts must be taxed heavily, so the UK ....

As heavily as in Diesel for private cars, I would say not not heavily but normally.

Lighter taxs on fuel are not for leisure purposes but for working purposes, like farming or commercial /industrial activities that need diesel for productive uses.

This is the general view on the EU and it is what the legislation (directives) regards. Hard to understand how private leisure boating has anything to do with productive work.

[Steve Bean]

Leisure boating is part of the economy. Boaters buy boats, repairs, services, food and sometimes lodging, travel on land, and more.

[Zven]

If this is a real practical problem for any boater, several manufacturers make nice inflatable fuel bladders. I'm planning to get two or three for my motor yacht. They are for extending range in my case, but could also double as a way to keep different types of fuel apart.

[SaltyMetals]

While the way Belgium believes it should enforce the rules against red diesel maybe a pian in the butt the other countries appear not to bother. However, while the others put up with in your fuel tank(s) you are supposedly not allowed to have red diesel in containers. That is the rule but I have found no other country that a pies it. I left UK with full tank and another 50% in containers, passed though France, Spain, Italy, and Croatia last year with no problems or inspections.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Polux

As heavily as in Diesel for private cars, I would say not not heavily but normally.

Lighter taxs on fuel are not for leisure purposes but for working purposes, like farming or commercial /industrial activities that need diesel for productive uses.

This is the general view on the EU and it is what the legislation (directives) regards. Hard to understand how private leisure boating has anything to do with productive work.

Sure, but that's not what we're talking about -- the Belgians are fining UK boats even when they can prove that 100% duty has been paid.