[VAT to pay on importing a boat?]

13 hours ago, Murflynn said:

you surprise me - bruvver bought an extensive property in Brittany last year and found the legal stuff was a doddle, mainly because the notaire publique  handled the transaction on behalf of both parties, which I understand is the normal arrangement........   and there was a fixed date for completion - no pissing around for 'searches', gazumping, etc.  If only we had such a system in England and Wales.

Glad his went well.

We did ours the same way but he didn't answer our French solicitor for 2.5 months! Also, the local mayor didn't want Brits moving to "his" village ;-)

[VAT to pay on importing a boat?]

54 minutes ago, Athy said:

I know that you are considering your options, but have you thought of buying a French ex-hire boat? They will have been regularly maintained and should be in good condition - for 2 people something like a Penichette 935 might fit your bill. Look on t'internet, there are usually a few for sale.

Hi Athy,

Is the Penichette 935 a good choice for the French canals & rivers?

Many thanks in advance.

[Transport overseas]

1 hour ago, Chewbacka said:

If you are interested in 'sailing' it to France then I guess that if the boat is young enough to be CE marked it's category should be shown on the plate.  The categories are - 

‘A’ OCEAN: Designed for extended voyages where conditions may exceed wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights of 4 m and above but excluding abnormal conditions, and vessels largely self-sufficient.

‘B’ OFFSHORE: Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and including, wind force 8 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 4 m may be experienced.

‘C’ INSHORE: Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers where conditions up to, and including, wind force 6 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 2 m may be experienced.

‘D’ SHELTERED WATERS: Designed for voyages on sheltered coastal waters, small bays, small lakes, rivers and canals when conditions up to, and including, wind force 4 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 0.3 m may be experienced, with occasional waves of 0.5 m maximum height, for example from passing vessels.

 

I would not attempt to sail a cat D across to France.  See what cat the boat you are interested in and then ask on here if it is suitable to sail over in good weather.

Your insurance company will also have to be consulted.

Hi,

Many thanks for that.

The aim would be for category D or worst case, C.

We'd have it transported.

[Transport overseas]

36 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

Are you aware of the French requirements re skipper training and maximum engine power? E.G CENVI Certificate.

Be very wary about taking a boat from the UK to the continent with even a small amount of red diesel in its tank.

Hi & thanks,

Yes-we're taking CEVNI training in 2 weeks to become certified.

Hadn't heard about any max. engine power though? Do you have any more info on that please?

38 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

Are you aware of the French requirements re skipper training and maximum engine power? E.G CENVI Certificate.

Be very wary about taking a boat from the UK to the continent with even a small amount of red diesel in its tank.

Also, what is the red diesel comment about please? Safety or other regs?
(Sorry-complete novice here ;-)  )

35 minutes ago, rusty69 said:

Do you mean CEVNI. 

 

You probably also need qualifications to sail it yourself across the channel. 

We'd look to get it transported....

[VAT to pay on importing a boat?]

22 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

You will generally find that 'canal boats' in England do not have any 'paperwork' their is no certificate of ownership, very rarely a RCD compliance certificate and almost never a VAT Paid certificate.

 

You are correct that the French Authorities are very 'hot' on boat paperwork (particularly for UK boats) and you will need a full collection of compliance documentation before they will let the boat in.

 

I had a similar problem last year in that a Boat I bought in Croatia did not have a VAT certificate - I had to go to the Croatian Customs and get a form "T2L" (European wide form used to prove VAT has been paid)

In addition to the VAT form (or T2L) you will need

Builders certification

RCD Certification certificate

Original Bill of Sale and all the subsequent Bill Of Sale

Insurance

Copy of UK registration certificate (SSR)

 

You would be better to speak with French Customs and find out exactly what they want - BUT - it will not be easy to get a UK Canal boat into France. It can be done (and has been done) but be prepared for a challenge.

Blimey - sounds a scary prospect!

We bought a property in France before & that was a nightmare, even speaking good French & with a French solicitor acting for us!

Many thanks for that comprehensive list of docs. Much appreciated!

23 minutes ago, Robbo said:

A lot more suitable boats available in France for there system.  Unless you want to do boating in the U.K. Why not just buy the boat in France?

Good question ;-)

It was down to seeing "nicer" boats (quality better for the price) than we found last week in France.
If it's a real challenge to export them to France though, we might reconsider!

[VAT to pay on importing a boat?]

21 minutes ago, Athy said:

I know that you are considering your options, but have you thought of buying a French ex-hire boat? They will have been regularly maintained and should be in good condition - for 2 people something like a Penichette 935 might fit your bill. Look on t'internet, there are usually a few for sale.

Spooky! My wife just received details of a Penichette 935 ex-hire boat!!

We viewed a few French (privately owned) boats last week on a flying visit, but they didn't seem well maintained in general.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[VAT to pay on importing a boat?]

Hi there,

That's really helpful, thank you!

When we spoke to a boat yard / boat-seller, the sales manager did not know that info!

We'll check out the docs when we visit there this week with interest.

Thanks again.

[Transport overseas]

Thanks for the feedback....

Newbie here ;-)

We haven't bought the boat yet, so don't have size info.
The type will be a canal / river boat, i.e. one with an engine not a sail, but not a narrow boat.
Current viewings have been in the 8-12 metre size.
Hope that helps.

[Transport overseas]

Hi folks,

We're newbies looking at buying a boat (canal boat with an engine rather than sailing boat) in England and taking it to France.
(They seem to be better kept here from what we saw last week in France & previously in England!)

1. Does anyone know of reputable providers of transport for taking a boat from England to France please?
2. Is it cheaper to get a transport company to do this rather than ask someone to "sail" it to France?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[VAT to pay on importing a boat?]

Hello folks,

We have a question regarding whether there is VAT to pay on importing a boat please?

We are looking at buying a boat in the UK, where (we assume) VAT will have been paid on the initial purchase.

If we then export it to France, presumably the French Customs peeps will want proof that VAT has been paid?

If so, how do we acquire that info if the boat is 20/30/40 years old please?
(I imagine a lot of paperwork goes astray after decades ;-)  )

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Long-term boat rental France]

Hi folks,

We're new to boating and are looking to rent a motor boat (not a sail-boat) for 3-4 months over the summer in France this year for my wife's big birthday.

We've seen people enquire about this in England but not France ...

Does anyone have any recommendations for companies who do this please?

Many thanks.

VMDG