What Does this Mean: 'Not for Sale to US Residents While in US Waters'

[teneicm]

Dave- your link was broken, but it gave me just enough info to point me in the right direction.

For any that are interested, here's the full text of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule:
http://www.ahp.ma-tax.de/Archiv/2003/2003_0300htsa.pdf

You can look up the schedule for sailboats (with or without auxilliary motors) at section 8903.91.00. As long as the boat wasn't manufactured in Laos, Cuba or North Korea, you will pay at most a 1.5% tariff (based on value).

If the boat was manufactured in certain countries (South Africa was already provided as an example, also Canada and Mexico seem to falll into this category), there is no tariff at all.

Interestingly, inflatables (section 8903.10.00) are tariffed at a higher 2.4% rate.

[Chief Engineer]

You could sign the Papers on Uranus

but if you bring the boat to Maryland and are here more than 90 days in a calendar year.....gotcha''''

[sww914]

Originally Posted by Canibul

Do people literally sail two boats out over the horizon and then swap them? I mean, who monitors exactly where the papers were located when they were signed?

The transaction has to occur more than 3 miles offshore, the transfer of the boat it's self doesn't matter so they can all go in one boat to do the paperwork. I wonder if you can do it in a plane? On a looooong pier? While swimming?

[Quads]

Originally Posted by Canibul

Do people literally sail two boats out over the horizon and then swap them? I mean, who monitors exactly where the papers were located when they were signed?

Yes, you sail out >3 NM and execute the contracts, paperwork, agreements, etc. you usually take a copy of the local paper with you, then snap a picture of the executed contract, front page of the local paper, and the GPS or Chart plotter showing the Long/Lat of your location, thus proving you were >3 NM offshore, and technically out of US Waters.

[nonam]

In San Fransisco they sail out to the three mile buoy and take photos of the participants there.Two vessles are used.The buyer is taken out not on the boat he is buying.He has to transfer over beyond the three mile buoy.It can be exciting if conditions are rough.But you dont just go anytime.Weather forecasts there are quite good and you plan it for safety.