EU Agent to import parts for 'Boat in Transit'

[nmuir]

Looking for any recommendation for an EU brokerage/agent to help with importing parts for a 'boat in transit'. I want to quantify the costs, process and opportunities for doing so before I commit to actually doing it.

Note that I am aware of people bringing parts in as personal luggage and have done so myself. I want to explore the alternative approach(s).

The boat is in Spain under a TI. We will depart Spain before the TI expires. I am not in the EU now, hence cannot clear things through customs myself.

(I have searched through the forum for an answer to this but could not find one. If I simply missed the answer in a post please let me know.)

Thanks in advance!

[nmuir]

Hi all. Bumping this thread to see if anyone can comment and/or help out with a recommendation.

I have sent off some requests to Spanish customs brokers I found on the web with no replies - perhaps just due to the Christmas season, or perhaps because I am not a big corporation....

And as a reminder, this does seem entirely possible in the EU. The noonsite web site (*) talks about it, and the Irish government tax site also includes documents that describe it. (my Spanish is not sufficient to search the Spain government web sites )

Anyone?

And thanks in advance!

(*) I acknowledge they are not an official tax source.....

[Lorrendraaier]

If you search for any of the following combinations, you are sure to find a company which will be able to assist you in this matter.

clearing agent / customs agent / customs broker in combination with "spain". Note that a company like DHL also offers such services when goods are sent through them.

[ccannan]

I had my US boat (TI'd) in southern Spain for almost 5 years, and I speak fluent Spanish. I could never crack the Spanish code on how to import items VAT free for a vessel in transit. But I did it in Gibraltar. It was dead easy. So easy that even if you might be in northern Spain, it would be worth a trip to Gib to take advantage of the opportunity.

[abacaxi]

ccannan, thanks a lot for this tip. I am near Alicante and want to buy a liferaft (would be hundreds of EUR in VAT). Could you say a bit more about how to claim VAT relief in Gibraltar? Thanks a lot!

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by abacaxi

ccannan, thanks a lot for this tip. I am near Alicante and want to buy a liferaft (would be hundreds of EUR in VAT). Could you say a bit more about how to claim VAT relief in Gibraltar? Thanks a lot!

Vat relief for Leisure boat parts is specifically excluded from the eu vat legislation

[Anders]

Originally Posted by abacaxi

ccannan, thanks a lot for this tip. I am near Alicante and want to buy a liferaft (would be hundreds of EUR in VAT). Could you say a bit more about how to claim VAT relief in Gibraltar? Thanks a lot!

There is no VAT in Gibraltar.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Anders

There is no VAT in Gibraltar.

Doesn’t matter if the equipment is addressed to your boat vat of your eu flag nation will apply.( under eu vat triangulation rules )

[chrisr]

is there VAT on safety equipment such as a liferaft anyway ?

cheers,

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by chrisr

is there VAT on safety equipment such as a liferaft anyway ?

cheers,

Yes it’s vattable there no exemption for safety gear

[ccannan]

Originally Posted by abacaxi

ccannan, thanks a lot for this tip. I am near Alicante and want to buy a liferaft (would be hundreds of EUR in VAT). Could you say a bit more about how to claim VAT relief in Gibraltar? Thanks a lot!

As I see it you have three options.

Option 1) purchase your item from the vendor in Alicante and take delivery of it in Alicante (VAT free). I did this when I purchased a Highfield dinghy in Spain. I believe it was shipped from Barcelona to me in Cadiz. I emailed the vendor that I was a US citizen on a US flagged yacht in transit and I was VAT exempt and they didn't question me about it, and I didn't have to pay VAT on that purchase.

Option 2) Purchase your item from a non-VAT country (i.e. the USA) and ship it to Gibraltar. Same idea. You'll have to specify that you are a yacht in transit. I purchased anti-fouling in the USA that I couldn't purchase in the EU, and had it shipped to the Gibraltar marina. I get a highly discounted shipping rate with FedEx. I had to pay a fee to a Gib customs agent to clear it in, but never had to pay VAT. Mind you I might have had to pay some US sales tax (7-8%).

Option 3) Purchase the item from a Gibraltar based in vendor.

I have personally used all 3 options, and didn't pay EU VAT. All purchases were made between 2015-2019.

[goboatingnow]

Again let me state eu vat law harmonised amongst all eu system specifically does not allow leisure parts or stores to be vat excerpted. Simply because you are a boat passing through you can’t claim back the bat

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Again let me state eu vat law harmonised amongst all eu system specifically does not allow leisure parts or stores to be vat excerpted. Simply because you are a boat passing through you can’t claim back the bat

This change was staryed around 2015 with the completion of thd single European market.

“aft.
1. The rate of VAT applicable
All supplies of services that meet the direct needs of qualifying vessels and aircraft or their cargoes are liable to the zero rate of VAT. This includes the supply of such services by an intermediary.
2. Qualifying vessels and aircraft
2.1 Qualifying Vessels
Sea-going vessels of a gross tonnage of more than 15 tons which are used for the following:
2.2
   
the carriage of passengers for reward
a sea fishing business
other commercial or industrial purposes, or rescue or assistance at sea.
Qualifying aircraft
Aircraft must be used by a transport undertaking oper

[chrisr]

interesting

we're in europe (germany & sweden) for christmas, and have purchased a lot while we are here (so much bigger range than in FP and much lower prices)

some items we have had delivered locally, and paid VAT. some we have had delivered directly to papeete and these have been VAT free (i guess due to export out of the EU)

of course we are liable to VAT in FP, however there a yacht in transit is allowed VAT free

cheers,

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by chrisr

interesting

we're in europe (germany & sweden) for christmas, and have purchased a lot while we are here (so much bigger range than in FP and much lower prices)

some items we have had delivered locally, and paid VAT. some we have had delivered directly to papeete and these have been VAT free (i guess due to export out of the EU)

of course we are liable to VAT in FP, however there a yacht in transit is allowed VAT free

cheers,

Many time people have been confused about uacht in transit but the eu vat law changed in 2015 specifically removing that facility from leisure yachts.