Hi,
I am about to buy a 34 sailboat in the
Caribbean. The
current owner has her registered in St. Maarten.
As I plan to sail her next summer to
Germany I will register her in
Germany now, as I can not keep the St. Maarten flag.
I am aware that I need to pay VAT and get a CE stamp when arriving in Germany. Both is prepared.
Now to my questions.
I want to keep her over the summer in St. Croix
Salt River in the USVI.
A friend will look after her and do some
work on her during that time, to prep her for the Trans Atlantic next spring.
I need some advise now, regarding the temporary entry into US waters, as I could not get hold of US
customs.
Does anyone know:
1)
How long a European
boat can stay in US VI waters without having to pay VAT or
import duties?
2)
If a bond needs to be left with USVI officials until she leaves the USVI again.(Rumors say that this is not the case if works are to be carried out there).
3)
Does anyone know how high this bond would be? The vessel is about 20000€ worth.
Many thanks for your help,
Franziska