EU waters regulations

[Ipapadi]

Can an originally UK vat registered boat which has deemed EU vat status by evidence of being in EU waters on 31st Jan 2020 move freely under UK Flag Registration. Further, have the Skipper and Crew unrestricted movement if they hold EU Passports?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Ipapadi

Can an originally UK vat registered boat which has deemed EU vat status by evidence of being in EU waters on 31st Jan 2020 move freely under UK Flag Registration. Further, have the Skipper and Crew unrestricted movement if they hold EU Passports?

To retain EU vat status the boat must remain within the EU , because the excemption only holds while the boat so remains. Hence you are free to sail within the customs union

The CA has raised the RGR ( returned goods relief ) issue arguing the status should not be lost , but currently RGR is only available to EU tax resident owners.

Yes if the skipper and crew have EU passports they have unrestricted movement within the single market /Schengen area.

If the EU passport holders are the owners they will enjoy the right to RGR but if the boat intends to leave and return to the custom union area then I would reflag it in a European registry as this removes any doubt

[Ipapadi]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

To retain EU vat status the boat must remain within the EU , because the excemption only holds while the boat so remains. Hence you are free to sail within the customs union

The CA has raised the RGR ( returned goods relief ) issue arguing the status should not be lost , but currently RGR is only available to EU tax resident owners.

Yes if the skipper and crew have EU passports they have unrestricted movement within the single market /Schengen area.

If the EU passport holders are the owners they will enjoy the right to RGR but if the boat intends to leave and return to the custom union area then I would reflag it in a European registry as this removes any doubt

Thanks "goboatingnow"
My wife and I are changing from sail to motor and are purchasing the vessel with both the status of it and us as mentioned. It came from the UK in 2011 to Greece and we propose to keep it within EU waters, is it's continuance as UK flagged an issue?

[Ipapadi]

Thanks "goboatingnow"
My wife and I are changing from sail to motor and are purchasing the vessel with both the status of it and us as mentioned. It came from the UK in 2011 to Greece and we propose to keep it within EU waters, is it's continuance as UK flagged an issue?

[goboatingnow]

If you are EU residents then you are entitled to RGR , ie can bring the boat into and out of EU waters.

If you are not EU residents , the situation is unclear as RGR does not normally apply. Technically therefore the boat looses it vat status if it leaves custom union waters and you as non eu residents cannot regain that status.

Personally if you are using EU passports I would re register out of U.K. flag to a European registry as typically the boat will not attract attention. ( ie it’s a EU passport holder with a EU boat )

If however you just are going to sail around Greece etc and not take it out of the customs union waters , it can remain in the U.K. registry without issue.

Also the Greek Transit log requirement will not apply as long as you don’t loose vat status, the cruising tax ( TEPKAI) will of course apply.