US to France/EU boat import

[jbk1]

I'm considering purchasing a boat in the US for import to France. For context I am a British Citizen, but living in France under a carte sejour visa. I would like the boat to be able to permanently reside in France.

What are the registration and tax implications of importing the boat to France? And are there any more cost effective solutions that would still allow me to keep the boat in Franc most might of the time?

Thanks for any help understanding this situation.

[goboatingnow]

You will be required to pay Eu vat and the boat must comply with the RCD , either built that way or subject to the post construction approval process.
As you are a French resident you will be required to register the vessel in France and depending on the boat you will require French competency certification

Unless there is an overwhelming advantage it’s usually not worth doing.

[psk125]

French websites abound with horror stories about trying to get boats that are not built and approved according to the RCD (Directive 94/25/EC -the "Recreational Craft Directive"), to pass muster with the authorities (AffMar). Buying a French boat that has passed the RCD requirements (and which probably has a certificate or stamp, or plaque that says so somewhere) might avoid many major hassles.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by psk125

French websites abound with horror stories about trying to get boats that are not built and approved according to the RCD (Directive 94/25/EC -the "Recreational Craft Directive"), to pass muster with the authorities (AffMar). Buying a French boat that has passed the RCD requirements (and which probably has a certificate or stamp, or plaque that says so somewhere) might avoid many major hassles.

It doesn’t need to be a French boat. Any boat built to RCD and carrying the appropriate CE builder plate is sufficient. This will also include post construction certification as this provides you with the appropriate paperwork , however the latest requirements for sound bypass testing and emissions certification has made post construction approval very problematic.

I had two boats registered in France , one was a US built boat ( built to RCD standards )

[Stewie12]

Engage the services of a custom importer.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Stewie12

Engage the services of a custom importer.

There is no such thing for private boats, the import of US built boats into Europe is a tiny tiny niche market , almost all dominated by small power sport boats which are built to RCD standards.

You will simply not find anyone with any significant domain knowledge. Your best bet is the following

Ascertain if the boat already carries an RCD certification ( CE builder plate )

If not , quite frankly I’d walk away as post certification has become difficult and very expensive and that’s before any mods are needed.

Establish the value with customs to ascertain the vat . This can be done before you import the boat. There is no need to engage an agent , they add nothing and simply charge you for something you can do yourself ( this assumes you can handle the language )

At that point you can sail or transport the boat into the EU. Customs will have no interest in the RCD status but the French registration agency will need proof of RCD compliance ( this is usually an accompanying builders CE conformance statement ) or the result of a post Construction certification processes and of course proof of VAT paid.

The only way is to go up the learning curve yourself because there are too many people that simply don’t understand boat importation , do not use the services of a general purpose customs agent.

To be honest , unless there is some overwhelming advantage to this US boat , I wouldn’t bother.

[jbk1]

Thanks for the helpful guidance folks.

[jeanathon]

Having imported a car to France I would say it is not worth it. I had a custom importer pass the European standards in Germany and France still would not accept it. After 2 years I finally bribed an official and got my paperwork. Wasn't cheap.