US Flagged but not duty paid going to Puerto Rico

[crayiii]

We have a US flagged boat and are US citizens but have not sailed to the US yet. We have every intention of paying whatever taxes we are required to pay since we plan to spend next hurricane season in the NE.

We are currently sailing North from the Caribbean and had planned on stopping in Puerto Rico next month before heading to the Bahamas.

My broker found out and insisted that we not make Puerto Rico our first US stop because they would make our life difficult.

This is a big bummer for us because we were really looking forward to the stop.

I'm looking for others with experience in this area. Should we skip Puerto Rico to avoid issues or have others been in this situation recently and had no issues?

[Nicholson58]

PR is cool but so is the rest of the Caribbean. Are you also discouraged from The USVI?

What is the specific issue with PR as a stay? Some sort of sales tax baloney? I can’t see what the issue could be.

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

PR is cool but so is the rest of the Caribbean. Are you also discouraged from The USVI?

What is the specific issue with PR as a stay? Some sort of sales tax baloney? I can’t see what the issue could be.

I was told they would keep us there until we pay them the import duty taxes and it takes a while.

We plan on skipping the VI, I've been there before and too many charter boats.

[Cuvee]

So you're US flagged as in USCG Certificate of Documentation? I've got a USCG documented vessel and frequently come to PR from USVI. I clear in using the CBP ROAM app. Absolutely no discussion about sales tax. Get yourself a CBP User Fee decal in advance for $29.47 (if >30 ft).

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by Cuvee

So you're US flagged as in USCG Certificate of Documentation? I've got a USCG documented vessel and frequently come to PR from USVI. I clear in using the CBP ROAM app. Absolutely no discussion about sales tax. Get yourself a CBP User Fee decal in advance for $29.47 (if >30 ft).

Can I get that decal delivered in the Caribbean?

[Cuvee]

Yes. Just need a physical address. This will expedite your entry and possibly save a visit to the C&I office.

[donradcliffe]

All you really need is the decal number, which you can get when you buy it online. I have checked into Puerto Rico many times in my French built US registered boat, and there was never any discussion of import or sales taxes. If you bought a US documented boat and changed the documentation, you will likely get a sales tax bill from the state you chose as a home port.

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by crayiii

Can I get that decal delivered in the Caribbean?

You can do it all online. https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/main/#%20

They'll want an address to mail a decal, but once they fulfill your order you can get back online, get the decal number from the DTOPS system, and then enter that number in the ROAM app.

FWIW the USVI is outside the US Customs Territory, which is why you have to clear in with Customs when transiting back and forth between USVI and PR. It also means that you can stop in the USVI without even thinking about import duty.

We found the Customs folks in PR to be quite easy to deal with, but we didn't have the import duty question to deal with. I believe (trying to recall how we did this) that you can arrange the duty with Customs before arrival, then you just have to show your receipt. It's been a while so don't remember the details.

[Nicholson58]

We are documented USCG. We haven’t had the boat in the US except St John, St Thomas in three years. We entered PR from Bonaire last season and cruised the Spanish Virgins as well as stayed in two marinas on the east end. No issues! Rented a car and drove around the island with British friends from another yacht. They also had no trouble.

I do not understand what line of stuff you are being fed. You are US. You can go anywhere you like in the US

[NorthernMac]

Some US hailing ports don’t even have nonsense taxes.

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by NorthernMac

Some US hailing ports don’t even have nonsense taxes.

It's the federal import tax that I'm referring to.

[boatpoker]

Depending on where the boat was built there may be import duties as soon as you hit US tax jurisdiction waters.

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Depending on where the boat was built there may be import duties as soon as you hit US tax jurisdiction waters.

2017 in France

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by crayiii

2017 in France

You will most certainly have to pay duty. A pretty good exp;anation here ....
https://multihullcompany.com/article...-and-pay-duty/

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

You will most certainly have to pay duty. A pretty good exp;anation here ....
https://multihullcompany.com/article...-and-pay-duty/

I realize I need to pay duty. I am trying to determine if I can stop in Puerto Rico before I sail to mainland US to pay the duty without any issues.