How to Find Tax-Free Fuel in France / Italy / Greece

[mehmetozer]

Hello Everybody,

Do you have any experience on how to get tax free fuel in mediterranean ? Especially France, Italy and Greece ?

B.Regards,

Mehmet

[swagman]

Well said Rick.

And Mehmet - is it really worth the risk to try and secure red (untaxed)diesel for recreational use in the wider EU?

As you possibly know, the UK allow yachtsmen to purchase and use red diesel, and recently a Brit motor yacht was stopped on the Keil Canal and had it's fuel tested. Even though it had purchased the red diesel legally in the UK, the fact that it is illegal elsewhere in the EU led to a large fine for the owner.

If it is really important to get low prices and the quantity so great it is worth the trip, then best way of getting cheap legal fuel in the Med is to visit N.Cyprus (US$ .75 per litre) or Syria (US$ .36).

JOHN

[Euro Cruiser]

Mehmet:

There is 'tax free' diesel and there is 'cheap' diesel. We did not find anything to be 'cheap' in the tax-free Channel Is., so buying VAT-free diesel there may not satisfy your goals. Gib seems to be similar from what I hear. Perhaps your best bet is to look on the southern and eastern rims of the Med, which eliminates legal complications and might get you a good price, too. And of course...buy in the fishing harbors and use a fine sediment/water filter, rather than in the marinas.

John's single reported incident aside, when you can buy fuel legally without tax, I'd suggest you do so. Thousands of pleasure vessels visit England's and Scotland's coast each season to load up on diesel at cheaper prices than back home; this is rarely a problem for them. OTOH the UK is likely to lose this tax break for pleasure vessels due to EU pressures, as I understand it - by 2008, if not sooner.

Jack

[Michaele]

There are three legal and tax free (mainly) places to get diesel in the Med that I know of. The first is Gibraltar - Two fueling berths - normal colour - not red and cheap. The other is Ceuta which is just across the straights from Gibraltar on the Moroccan side. It is a Spanish Enclave and the fuel there is cheaper than Gib.. The 3rd is also a Spanish Enclave - further East on the Moroccan side - called Mellia - I think much nicer than Ceuta

Fuels from all the above are legal and more or less tax free.

At the other end of the Med you will find 'cheap' diesel in Tunisa - all the ports and in Suez... The only problem with these is they are both a bit out of normal cruising routes but Tunisia is just lovely and a very friendly and interesting place to visit.

Michael

[skipperaris]

Sorry Mehmet. There is no tax free fuel in France Italy and Greece for a private yacht (I imagine that's what you are asking about). It is available to working boats in Greece, e.g. fishing boats. There is also heating fuel which would burn quite happily in your diesel motor but it is illegal to do that. It is a criminal offence: 'contraband'. Not worth risking it.