Dawntreader,
Well, not knowing what
boat, nor where you're commissioning it, and especially not knowing exacting what "outfitting" you're desiring to do....means that we will just have to make some assumptions...
So...
In addition to the advice/thoughts about getting your VAT back....
Have you considered shipping some items to
Gibraltar?? (or purchasing some in Gib?)
Gibraltar is of course VAT-free....and all yacht
equipment brought in for non-EU
boats is duty-free as well....
Yes, duty-free and VAT-free!!
I've done this myself....with NO issues at all....nobody needed to see any papers, never even asked for my vessel US
documentation.... just looking/sounding like a US Citizen (who said he was picking up
parts for my boat) was enough!
Although the Gibraltar Port Authority says:
"All goods for non-Gibraltar registered vessels must be imported via a Customs clearing agent or ship's chandlers to qualify for duty-free status.", I didn't have a problem picking stuff up at the
airport / Fed Ex terminal....(and neither did my friends have any issues either)...but, you may wish to inquire with FedEx, etc...
(I had a whole new traveler shipped from
California, along with some tools...easy-peasy)
You may also want to check with Sheppard's, on what they can do for you in regards to prices...
https://www.sheppard.gi/chandlery
I'm not sure if you want to commission in
France....bring
equipment there to your boat (such as
electronics, etc.)....or have you considered sailing to Gib and doing it there??
(I had some friends that did just that....they sailed from France to Gib on their new US documented boat, and did their outfitting there in Gib, at Marina Bay....and one guy across the
dock from me, bought a new
Raymarine radar and MFD, in Gib...drove in a car up to France....temporarily mounted
radar scanner on bow pulpit, ran cable along the
deck, and sailed down to Gib to finish his commissioning / outfitting...no BS, both true stories!)
I realize that Gib is about 1100 mile drive from New Rochelle, France....but, if you're looking to multi-task a bit, you can combine the "delivery" of your equipment to France, with a short "vacation"....a few days driving thru Spain and France might be nice!!
Btw, crossing from Gib to EU (Spain) via car, is pain-free....I wouldn't advertise that you're bring boat
parts in, but I've never seen anyone ever stopped/questioned....
I do hope this helps...
Fair winds.
John