Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 01-06-2022, 06:25   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Minneapolis,MN,USA
Boat: Fountain Pajot Isla 40
Posts: 12
Customs import duty US - French boat

I bought a new French boat in 2021 and accepted the boat in the USVI. Flagged the boat US. Now I just brought it back to the United States and need to pay tax/import duty. Determining and paying duty seems complicated. Do most people us a customs broker and do you have a recommendation for one? Or is it simpler than it seems. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
ED-M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 09:57   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,367
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

I would have thought that the boat was imported upon clearance via US Customs and Border Patrol upon arrival for sale in the USVI by the importer of record [e.g., the manufacturer] and any duty would have been paid so as to avail the good to be sold in commerce.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-...tions/pr-us-vi
Montanan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 10:06   #3
Registered User
 
capn_billl's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Naples, FL
Boat: Leopard Catamaran
Posts: 2,572
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

Boat paperwork can be complicated.

I used a broker. Any Marine title service can also do it, or refer you.
capn_billl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 10:14   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Cruz
Boat: SAnta Cruz 27
Posts: 6,711
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

USVI is a duty free zone. If they want more than 1.5% on the mainland, get a customs broker.
donradcliffe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 10:23   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,367
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by donradcliffe View Post
USVI is a duty free zone. If they want more than 1.5% on the mainland, get a customs broker.


Ah yes, "Boats placed into charter service in the U.S. Virgin Islands are exempt from all import duty and excise taxes. Legislation, enacted in 1994, completely eliminates all taxes on boats, boat engines and boat parts in The U.S. Virgin Islands."
Montanan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 12:12   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 318
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

It is not that complicated, we imported our French-built boat. Duty rate at the time was 1.5%. There's an additional fee that is capped at just under $500 and a filing fee of $75 on top of the duty.

CBP has a not very good article with a couple of useful links.
  1. Fill out engine declaration form
  2. Visit CBP with your proof of ownership and bill of sale demonstrating boat value (this part does become more difficult if you are trying to claim a different value than what you paid, or if the sale was a long time ago). Complete Form 7501.
  3. Pay money
  4. Receive from CBP Form 7501 back, stamped by CBP. Keep form forever, this is the only proof you get that duty has been paid and boat properly imported.
PippaB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 12:28   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Annapolis, MD
Boat: Southerly 480
Posts: 510
Images: 1
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

I'm using Linda Jordan (ljordan@masterpieceintl.com) at Masterpiece International. I'm arriving on a ship so there are other fees, bond, and there is something that must be done prior to the ship's arrival or there's a terrible fine.

No idea what's required if you're sailing her in, but Linda is very good and probably worth an email.
shimari is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 12:38   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Long Island, NY
Boat: 2014 Leopard 39
Posts: 50
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by PippaB View Post
It is not that complicated, we imported our French-built boat. Duty rate at the time was 1.5%. There's an additional fee that is capped at just under $500 and a filing fee of $75 on top of the duty.

CBP has a not very good article with a couple of useful links.
  1. Fill out engine declaration form
  2. Visit CBP with your proof of ownership and bill of sale demonstrating boat value (this part does become more difficult if you are trying to claim a different value than what you paid, or if the sale was a long time ago). Complete Form 7501.
  3. Pay money
  4. Receive from CBP Form 7501 back, stamped by CBP. Keep form forever, this is the only proof you get that duty has been paid and boat properly imported.
Thank you for that very thorough explanation.
If a customs broker is used, do you know if CBP returns Form 7501 to the customs broker or is it sent directly to the owner of the boat.
Thanks
Hobby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 13:28   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 318
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

No idea, never used a broker coming into the US

Having used them a bunch of times in the other direction, I would expect a good one would make sure you ended up with what you need, of course the difficulty is in discerning the good ones.
PippaB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 13:49   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Long Island, NY
Boat: 2014 Leopard 39
Posts: 50
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by PippaB View Post
No idea, never used a broker coming into the US

Having used them a bunch of times in the other direction, I would expect a good one would make sure you ended up with what you need, of course the difficulty is in discerning the good ones.
Yes, difficult to select a good one, especially when we only buy boats occasionally.
Hobby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 16:13   #11
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,636
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

For a boat that new you could probably just deal with it yourself, but I found it impossible to get in touch with anyone from the side of customs that deals with that. If the boat was any older I would definitely go with an agent so you don't mess up gett8ng them the right emissions info on the engine(s). I remember the custom agent fee being peanuts and it was well worth not having to deal or worry about it for me doing the same thing (French boat into the U.S.)
redneckrob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 16:42   #12
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 318
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

The engine stuff is probably the most troublesome, the Customs stuff is easy. What you really need is the 'Certificate of Conformity' for the engine. You can start at the EPA website https://www.epa.gov/compliance-and-f...-and-equipment. Assuming diesel, the engine listings are in an Excel file (way to go US government).

Easiest way to get the certificate is to get it from the engine manufacturer, but if that presents problems you can go through the Excel file and contact the EPA:

Quote:
If you were unable to find in the database a Certificate of Conformity or test data for a heavy-duty highway or nonroad engine, please provide the following information to EPA’s Imports Hotline by: email to Imports Hotline at Imports@epa.gov; fax to 734-214-4676; or phone to 734-214-4100.
PippaB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 22:59   #13
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,538
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

That is not how it works. US flagged vessels of foreign build must be imported into the US. Duty and a whole bunch of other fees must be paid within thirty days. Clearing in on arrival or on the internet has little or nothing to do with meeting the import requirements.
jmschmidt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2022, 23:07   #14
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,538
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

South African build boats should be duty free, but it seems that CBP has a new lady lawyer in DC who is trying to make a name for herself by taking a strained interpretation of the international treaty that grants duty free status to many African produced export products including boats. Pres. Clinton renewed this treaty until at least 2025.

Good luck.
jmschmidt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2022, 02:30   #15
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
Re: Customs import duty US - French boat

Hi ED-M
I do have similar situation. Need to buy a new French boat in France, used it for up to 18 months in med and bring her home to US, hope not paying VAT. I am US citizen and resident.
What is the end of your journey ?
Can you share some info ?
Radio is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
boat, customs, enc, import

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Import Duty - Australia to Thailand mikereed100 Rules of the Road, Regulations & Red Tape 2 16-03-2020 17:08
Bahamas Import Duty on Mechanical Parts for Yachts with a Cruising Permit Sailing Bushman Liveaboard's Forum 11 27-06-2015 00:47
Import Duty on a Yacht into the Philippines Icarus Rules of the Road, Regulations & Red Tape 9 29-04-2011 20:52
Import Duty GRow Dollars & Cents 8 12-04-2010 19:52
Import Duty and GST in Canada Chris Rules of the Road, Regulations & Red Tape 0 24-07-2004 02:44

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:24.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.