Avoiding VAT in Europe

[George DuBose]

I am a US citizen with a unexpiring visa for Germany. My boat is in the Netherlands.

It's not as big a deal as some people assume. I submitted a low bill of sale for an old boat. No questions. Paid VAT on that low price.

Shopped around for a firm (wide range of quotes) to make a PCA survey and found a reasonable price from one outfit and when the inspector finished with the boat, he said that there were so few "defects" that needed rectifying that the firm dropped the price another 1000 euros. I paid 2200 euros for the PCA, the boat is now completely CE marked, VAT paid and I can still fly the Stars and Stripes. My boat is USCG documented, so state registration in the US doesn't apply and I am not forced to change the flag.

I do have to check in and out of European countries as I have a US passport, wouldn't matter what flag the boat is flying.

A European "resident" with a resident visa has 30 days to pay the VAT and start the PCA procedure.

If one can PROVE that the vessel was in any European country or colony prior to 1998, then all the above doesn't apply.