Importing Wooden Yacht to the US - UK?

[Roach1948]

I am doing a feasibility study on the importation of a British Built, and once British registered 1960's wooden yacht back to the UK. She is now under US ownership but her original builder's plaque and Lloyds official number are still carved on the main beam. The original UK registry papers are lost.

As this is mainly an American forum, I was interested mainly to see whether there would be any problems (taxes and such) exporting a yacht from the US if I just re-register British? Is there a de-registration process and if so maybe some of you guys can help me?

As far as UK importation is concerned I apprecaite that might not be a strong area on here, and I will work on that aspect from this end.

[bamamick]

Avia Willment at www.universalmarina.co.uk. She owns something called the 'metre boat shed' and she brought an S&S designed 6mR over to the UK from the States two years ago. She should be able to help you.

Mickey Lake

[Gary Bergman]

Covey Island Boatworks are doing a bit of back and forth business; you might ty contacting them for all the details

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Can I straighten something out?

1. The Official Number carved on the mainbeam of a British vessel that has been registered under Part One of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894 is nothing to do with Lloyds. It is her number on the British Register, which she will get back if re-registered.

2. Sale abroad automatically terminates registration; equally (and this is the very handy bit!) it obviates the need to show an unbroken chain of title by way of Bills of Sale when re-registering. Thus the loss of the original papers is irrelevant if you produce a Bill of Sale in the British form (downloadable from MCA site) from the American owner.

3. VAT will be payable on the original purchase price, not the current purchase price.

[John B]

Can I straighten something out?


3. VAT will be payable on the original purchase price, not the current purchase price.


really!? How do they establish that.. there are records of the original sale price from the 60's?

Could be a bit of a minefield eh. Inflation v depreciation.

[Thorne]

Ooooh - Nice! I was wondering about the VAT, great to know the answer.

[Roach1948]

really!? How do they establish that.. there are records of the original sale price from the 60's?

Could be a bit of a minefield eh. Inflation v depreciation.

Indeed, and we did not even decimalise till '71 I believe. Still, I think the VAT aspect of this requires a call to Customs and Excise to see how/if they establish this.

Other than that - many thanks Andrew, for clearing that Lloyds thing up. I learnt something new today.

As you see I have a mad hat scheme fermenting in my head - and maybe if your are free sometime I'll buy you some Adnams, spill the beans, and then you can talk some sense into me.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Just to generate complete and utter confusion, the IMO Number of a merchant ship is indeed her Lloyds Register unique number...

For this we have to thank "9/11" or rather the over-excitement that followed it.

But let's not go there...

VAT on an old boat is "de minimis".

[lannig]

Regarding VAT on old boats imported in UK :
You can go for a VAT exemption !!
UK Customs & Excises
Notice 8B , section 22
UK VAT exempt
1) Purchased outside EEC and owned at least 6 months prior to entry.
2) Lived outside EU for 285 days.
3) personal use of the boat.
4) Vessel is not chartered for 12 months after entry.
EU C88A Exemption certificate upon entry
Marine & coastguard agency : www.mca.gov.uk (http://www.mca.gov.uk)

Hope it's help !

Lannig
www.mavourneen-mary.com (http://www.mavourneen-mary.com)