Register Flag in Australia

[mfleury]

Hello all,

I am French. I am planning to buy a catamaran in Caribbean, sail it to Australia to sell it. I don't know yet which flag it will be, as i think i can change it after buying. Do you have any advice about changing flag registration in Australia to ease to sell? Or flags to avoid ?

Thanks for your help.

Matthieu

[MarkJ]

You must be an Australian Citizen to register the boat there.


Mark

[Talbot]

I think you may also have to import the boat before ownership transfer.

[mfleury]

I know that the Australian flag is only for Australian cizens. My question is about the costs involved into changing the flag from, let say, french to Australia, once there, this change beeing made by the new australian owner, after that i import the boat in Australia

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by mfleury

I know that the Australian flag is only for Australian cizens. My question is about the costs involved into changing the flag from, let say, french to Australia, once there, this change beeing made by the new australian owner, after that i import the boat in Australia

No. You import the boat the day you arrive by paying 15% of the value of the boat.

The rego change costs $799AUD (plus costs to impliment) but by the new owner.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

No. You import the boat the day you arrive by paying 15% of the value of the boat.

The rego change costs $799AUD (plus costs to impliment) but by the new owner.

Hmm.. I think a foreign flagged vessel vessel can enter Oz waters as a genuine cruiser with no duty BUT if they decide to sell while here, they then pay the 15% (before or at the time of sale).
The new owner then decides on what they do flag wise.

Disclaimer - I am going on memory here - it may have failed...

[donradcliffe]

You may not have to pay the duty if you sell to a non-australian. The best thing to do is talk to a good Australian broker. Maybe one of our down-under friends can point you to one.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Hmm.. I think a foreign flagged vessel vessel can enter Oz waters as a genuine cruiser with no duty BUT if they decide to sell while here, they then pay the 15% (before or at the time of sale).
.

I stand half corrected.
Yes, someone can crusie but they can NOT advertise their boat for sale till duty is paid.

Pleasure craft definition:
pleasure craft means a ship that from the time of its arrival at its first port of arrival in Australia from a place outside Australia until the time of its departure from its last port of departure in Australia is:


(c) not offered or intended to be offered for sale or disposal.

Please understand that the Customs mob as most dilligent and search the ads for boats for sale.

All the information is on their website from the secion markerd here:
Important Information

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

You may not have to pay the duty if you sell to a non-australian. The best thing to do is talk to a good Australian broker. Maybe one of our down-under friends can point you to one.

And if that non-Australian exports the boat with-in the original time frame of the importer.
You can be certain however, the tax man is very vigilant when it comes to getting his 15%

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I stand half corrected.
Yes, someone can crusie but they can NOT advertise their boat for sale till duty is paid.



Please understand that the Customs mob as most dilligent and search the ads for boats for sale.

All the information is on their website from the secion markerd here:
Important Information

Originally Posted by Wotname

And if that non-Australian exports the boat with-in the original time frame of the importer.
You can be certain however, the tax man is very vigilant when it comes to getting his 15%

And now I stand half corrected, MarkJ is right and I am wrong but we agree the tax man is king.

[Weyalan]

If the boat is US built, does the current FTA mean that you don't have to pay the Import duty (5%) but just the GST (10%)?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

If the boat is US built, does the current FTA mean that you don't have to pay the Import duty (5%) but just the GST (10%)?

G'Day Patrick,

That is true if one is a US citizen... not sure about others, but it could well be ok.

Cheers,

Jim

[Mate]

So what about an Aussie buying in US or BVI somwhere , can they register straight away upon the sale in AU flag/rego, or do you wait till in Aus waters .
What then do you do about insurance . Who will insure an Aussie bringing a boat back home and then cruising our own coast.
Probably find thes answers if I look , I think these are old questions.
darren

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Mate

So what about an Aussie buying in US or BVI somwhere , can they register straight away upon the sale in AU flag/rego, or do you wait till in Aus waters .

Register immediatly. Cost me an extra $500 in Fedex fees its a PAIN!!

[Mate]

Spoke to Qld Rego today and they said you have to do it in person , why , I dont know . Maybe to make sure you are the one who is registering it .
I will have time to do this probably anyway if/ when I ever purchase, as long as the broker is happy to send the origanal documents back here asap.
Qld rego said you only need proof of purchase / reciept and a drivers liceince, and of course 406 bucks , or there abouts.