Importing boat to Australia

[Kojiro]

I have a yacht in Europe which I am planning to sail back to Australia over probably 2- 3 years (probably 3).

I understand that importing will amount to some 10% GST, plus 5% duty of some value based on purchase price of the boat and costs of getting it to Australia.

I am interested if any one knows or can point me in the direction of someone who can give me a heads up on how the costs of delivery are assessed, or what they might be given I will be sailing the boat myself with no help from any paid delivery crew. Just family and friends. On occasion a friend will be managing the boat while I return to Australia for family reasons...not sure for how long.

Also, the boat will be used for holiday purposes in the West Indies for a few months early next year, and probably the following before heading across the Pacific to maybe Fiji for another couple of months holidaying with family before finally heading to Australia (maybe end of 2015, early 2016).

Any ideas appreciated.

[ozskipper]

Delivery cost is from the Last foriegn port of call.. In your case, Indonesia-png if you come via Suez or Fiji, New Caledonia, NZ if you come via panama. So your delivery cost isnt for the entire trip. No doubt a call to Customs may give you a more detailed explaination. From memory that have a formula they use that includes Food Fuel etc etc.

[Wanderlust]

If you take more than 12 months from purchase date, the import duty, then GST is calculated on the market value of the boat in Australia rather than purchase price. So delivery costs would not be relevant.

An estimate from a licensed valuer will usually be accepted. I had a discussion with a valuer who specialises in imports, and understood that you would be hard pressed to buy one for the values he typically determines.

There was previously a long thread on the subject of importing.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...alia-3346.html

[Kojiro]

I've just had a quick look at the Australian Customs website and cut and pasted their view on how they will determine costs of getting the boat to Australia. Doesn't seem to indicate the idea that costs would be assessed from last port of call (e.g. maybe NZ in my case).

__________________________________________________ ____

Where the yacht is sailed to Australia, overseas freight will be determined having regard to essential sailing costs incurred under the most commercially viable conditions. Such costs would include sailing expenditure necessarily incurred while the vessel is actually sailing (and entering and leaving) those ports of call on the most commercially viable route. It would not include any in port expenditure related to the vessel's period of stopover
. Where supported by sufficient/reliable information, essential sailing costs would also include:

• cost of maps, charts pilot books, light/radio lists, etc.
• crew's hire/wages or forage allowance in lieu
• victualling or food costs (does not include tobacco and alcoholic beverages)
• bunkering or oil/fuel costs.

__________________________________________________ ________________

Any one have experience in the matter?

[Kojiro]

Originally Posted by Wanderlust

If you take more than 12 months from purchase date, the import duty, then GST is calculated on the market value of the boat in Australia rather than purchase price. So delivery costs would not be relevant.

An estimate from a licensed valuer will usually be accepted. I had a discussion with a valuer who specialises in imports, and understood that you would be hard pressed to buy one for the values he typically determines.

There was previously a long thread on the subject of importing.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...alia-3346.html

Thanks. Do you have the name of the valuer?

[mausgras]

Originally Posted by Kojiro

I have a yacht in Europe which I am planning to sail back to Australia over probably 2- 3 years (probably 3).

I understand that importing will amount to some 10% GST, plus 5% duty of some value based on purchase price of the boat and costs of getting it to Australia.

Any ideas appreciated.

I have just bought my yacht in Phuket and plan much the same, to bring it back to Oz in about 3 years.

While I am not worried about paying tax in principle, I am quite concerned about the valuation they will use as prices in Australia are up to double what I paid. If I have to pay Australian market price it means the real import duty is more like 30% and that will really stretch the budget and might even be a deal killer.

[Kojiro]

Originally Posted by mausgras

I have just bought my yacht in Phuket and plan much the same, to bring it back to Oz in about 3 years.

While I am not worried about paying tax in principle, I am quite concerned about the valuation they will use as prices in Australia are up to double what I paid. If I have to pay Australian market price it means the real import duty is more like 30% and that will really stretch the budget and might even be a deal killer.

A discussion with a valuer will probably help resolve any anxieties about cost of the boat versus Australian prices.

[mausgras]

Yes, more red tape. I have a Bavaria 37 but the holding tank has been removed.
I expected to have to replace it. I also expect to have a quarantine inspection, but I did not know I would need a full survey. Are you sure? Three thousand euro sounds (4000AUD) excessive, even by Australian costs.
I think that may be if you fail quarantine and have termites or something and need a full fumigation.

[SimonV]

My boat Came from the USA, last port was excepted as Vanuatu, 50lts fuel $35 chart, $100 food. That was it, they excepted the purchase price as value but converted US$ to AU$ at the time of entry to Australia. If more than 12 months since purchase they may ask for a valuation in Oz. This is not a problem for an older boat as you have just sailed around the world, so a good surveyor will right off your worn sails, worn engine, rusty keel bolts, non conforming electrics. You will be surprised How bad you boat is when it gets here Just tell the surveyor its a customs valuation.

[Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by Kojiro

Thanks. Do you have the name of the valuer?

Sorry no, I don't recollect. I was given his name by a boat broker in Brisbane. I called him and we chatted but finished up not needing the valuation after all so never met him.

[Mr B]

I bought mine in Fiji and sailed it back to OZ, in 2011.

$150,000 Boat purchase,

it cost me around $20,000 to cover all costs of bringing my boat home, Thats the two flights to Fiji and one back to OZ,

All GST, Customs, AQIS, Immigration, Fumigation, Marina fees, Swing mooring in Fiji for 6 weeks, food, Accomodation, All in,

There was no duty payable, which is only 5% any way,

[Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by Mr B

it cost me around $20,000 to cover all costs of bringing my boat home, Thats the two flights to Fiji and one back to OZ,

The flights would not be included in the cost (for import calculations) to bring it back. The costs would be what was incurred in the actual sailing trip. I would be thinking food, fuel and possibly charts, but not much else. So I would expect $200-$300 would be reasonable from Fiji.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Wanderlust

I had a discussion with a valuer who specialises in imports, and understood that you would be hard pressed to buy one for the values he typically determines.

People should hope like hell they dont get an audit, particualrly if you sell it within a year, Dodgy silly low valuations are not only illegal, they render you liable to ship loads of penalties in duty/gst.

You dont have to value it at the top of the market, but bottom end of realistic would be advisable.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Wanderlust

The flights would not be included in the cost (for import calculations) to bring it back. The costs would be what was incurred in the actual sailing trip. I would be thinking food, fuel and possibly charts, but not much else. So I would expect $200-$300 would be reasonable from Fiji.

It would have been some thing like that. Extra's Say $300-00

GST was just under $15,000-00, For a 150 Grand boat, No Duty, Mine came from the USA, so no duty if you are in a Free Trade Agreement Country with OZ,

Customs, AQIS, Pest exterminator, Max 2 Grand.

I forget now, But could dig it out if pressed, It is in another thread on here,

[Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by Factor

Dodgy silly low valuations are not only illegal .......

While I agree with your points, I don't think the concept of using a licensed valuer who is acceptable to Customs is dodgy. They get paid to do their job - value boats.

I am no longer planning to import a boat so it's not relevant for me. But if a professional makes an estimate and can support it with adequate documentation I don't see much of an issue. If you are lucky enough to resell for a higher value down the track who is to say it's not due to improvements, better presentation or holding out for a good price?