Shipping a cool small boat in a container to Europe

[Ted Hoppe]

It is my dream to sail and cruise the European canals and coast in a small cute classic American built boat. There is a great boat on the east coast have my eye on that will sit on a trailer and could fit in a 20 ft. container. Although not technically for sale I could offer and maybe get it for a really reasonable price. I was looking at shipping pricing and it is quite reasonable and all could done over late fall or early winter after a little renovations and preparations. After the pre shipment prep I would want to send it to Le Havre to begin my small boat journey.

I would keep it there like my motorbike except with the boat would have no intention of returning the boat to the United States. I figure I could do three summer cruises and pass it on or loan it to others to do the same.

it is one of those personal bucket list dreams that won't die. It is my working class dream - if I work hard and make some additional scratch i may be able to do this.

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[Peerie Maa]

You will probably have to pay VAT on the import, and provide paperwork showing compliance with the Recreational Craft Directive.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Container rates are all over the place at the moment.

I would suggest booking it through to where you really want to start.

[lupussonic]

Cool idea. You could always buy a great boat inside the EU, for example in Brittany, avoiding shippings costs, import duties and VAT, which can add up because they are compound. (Import duties on value + shipping, VAT on value, shipping and import duties).

Also, your shipping costs are from pre Feb 24th. I'd check them again.

Great dream to sail the canals however.. best of luck.

Martin.

[dutchpp]

Take a look at this site Ted, it's the company that runs the canals in France.
https://www.vnf.fr/vnf/
A lot of guidebooks etc are available in the English language in the UK.
This is a link to the video of the journey of a small freighter that sails between the Netherlands and France v.v.

[bluedog225]

Sounds fun. Count me in if you decide to share the boat and costs.

[dutchpp]

This is a clip of a small freighter that travels between France and the Netherlands and v.v., it can give you an impression of the sailing area you're aiming for.
A short warning, it's a bit slow TV I'm afraid (20 minutes +)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGZwu0UDIhs

Perhaps you should take a look at the site of the VNF the company that runs the French canals www.vnf.fr

[Ted Hoppe]

Question - Since i am not goin to "officially import" a foreign flagged, registered vessel but cruise as if I sailed there myself would I need to pay VAT and import taxes? I can't imagine I would. Maybe there is is some strange euro hook but like my motorcycle I am simply touring there with plans of no leaving it there which avoided the whole VAT and import thing despite not riding every year (due to issues rated to Covid). I don't know of any ocean cruisers that paid vat and import taxes recently when they sailed over to Europe from the US or Canada and left the boats over winter.

Sounds fun. Count me in if you decide to share the boat and costs.

And yes, anyone who wanted to use the boat I would be more than open to it's use for weeks or longer as longer where every they wanted to go as the kept her in safe, good condition with a tiny donation to the use and upkeep. Maybe we double up on some weeks, do some touring, overnighting in amazing places, food tasting via water and sample local beverages together. That would a hoot with me or others.

[lupussonic]

What's the plan if you're not 'officially importing a foreign flagged vessel'?

What's in the box Mr Hoppe? Oh, a boat. What's the value of this boat? What's the value of the boat plus shipping? (Asks Mr Import tax). What's the value of the boat plus shipping plus import tax? (Asks Mr VAT) .

[lupussonic]

Must it be an American vessel for your dream to be realised?

[bluedog225]

He’s just doing a little legwork. The real plan is to sail her over. R2UK

[Peerie Maa]

Question - Since i am not goin to "officially import" a foreign flagged, registered vessel but cruise as if I sailed there myself would I need to pay VAT and import taxes? I can't imagine I would. Maybe there is is some strange euro hook but like my motorcycle I am simply touring there with plans of no leaving it there which avoided the whole VAT and import thing despite not riding every year (due to issues rated to Covid). I don't know of any ocean cruisers that paid vat and import taxes recently when they sailed over to Europe from the US or Canada and left the boats over winter.



And yes, anyone who wanted to use the boat I would be more than open to it's use for weeks or longer as longer where every they wanted to go as the kept her in safe, good condition with a tiny donation to the use and upkeep. Maybe we double up on some weeks, do some touring, overnighting in amazing places, food tasting via water and sample local beverages together. That would a hoot with me or others.

An EU citizen can get caught out if he goes on an extended cruise to Forn Parts, and then brings the boat back into EU jurisdiction.

[bluedog225]

What’s the boat? Gotta feed the dream.

[dutchpp]

Perhaps it's much easier to simply rent a boat in the area you want to see.
See for yourself on the "Le Boat " site www.leboat.com

[Ted Hoppe]

What’s the boat? Gotta feed the dream.

something similar to this. Small cabin, gaff mast step-able, a boom tent, fuel efficient with power to go up stream with the ability to sail the lakes. two small folding bikes. Tie ups in charming towns and cities along the routes to include 2 and 3 star hotels when not boat/shore camping.

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[Ted Hoppe]

An EU citizen can get caught out if he goes on an extended cruise to Forn Parts, and then brings the boat back into EU jurisdiction.

I wonder how that works since I am not a EU citizen but a foreign tourist passing through very slowly on my own foreign flagged, insured private vessel. I bet I could register it in Malta for next to nothing if need be.

[bluedog225]

Jeeze that sounds nice.

[Ted Hoppe]

Jeeze that sounds nice.

Imagine spending a week sailing Lake Garda on one of those summer holidays.

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[bluedog225]

And give this up? Madness!

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[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

An EU citizen can get caught out if he goes on an extended cruise to Forn Parts, and then brings the boat back into EU jurisdiction.

Single male arriving in a small boat from abroad - and leaving the boat.....

Import duties, +Vat on assessed value+Duties.

And an outside chance of a free flight to Rwanda.

An adventure.

[Jim Bow]

Pourquoi avez-vous ramené un bateau d'Amérique ? Nous avons de bons bateaux en France.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Ted, I strongly recommend that you join these two organisations:

https://www.theca.org.uk/

https://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/

You will find that you already know people in both.

The CA will take you through all the paperwork and has Honorary Local Representatives at almost every small port in Britain and the rest of Europe.

The DCA are experts at the cruising that you will be doing.

[Ted Hoppe]

je suis américaine!

I love being an American, from the west and with a proud small American boat of historical significance would complete the travel package.

Nearly Anyone can have a boat there. What makes this different is in the approach of pride in the vessel and the relationships that will come from it. I certainly do not think it is will be all easy. I also think a little nativity and spirt is things that make this a greater adventure. If it turns sour and I have to sell it I do have a backup plan with a cormorand at my friend Normandy country home.

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[Ted Hoppe]

Ted, I strongly recommend that you join these two organisations:

https://www.theca.org.uk/

https://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/

You will find that you already know people in both.

The CA will take you through all the paperwork and has Honorary Local Representatives at almost every small port in Britain and the rest of Europe.

The DCA are experts at the cruising that you will be doing.

That is some cool info! Thanks!
when I get home I will look. Right now I am with my wife who is buying a new outfit for her job interview in Chicago next week.

[Dave Wright]

something similar to this. Small cabin, gaff mast step-able, a boom tent, fuel efficient with power to go up stream with the ability to sail the lakes. two small folding bikes. Tie ups in charming towns and cities along the routes to include 2 and 3 star hotels when not boat/shore camping.

Screen Shot 2022-06-23 at 11.03.38 AM.jpg

Sorry, too small for the intended purpose.

[Durnik]

That is some cool info! Thanks!
when I get home I will look. Right now I am with my wife who is buying a new outfit for her job interview in Chicago next week.

So it's official.. she changes jobs like she changes clothes? I mean I fingers crossed and a preemptive Congratulations to both of you! (-:

and your idea of an EU cruise on a small American boat sounds awesome. You know you'll have a ton of folk stoppng by to chat and look.

Hope ACB's links help make it work for you!

[stromborg]

You will probably have to pay VAT on the import, and provide paperwork showing compliance with the Recreational Craft Directive.

Is that because bringing it over as "cargo" is looked on differently than on her own bottom? I've watched a fair number of YouTube videos and read a lot of books about people sailing across the Atlantic to Europe and don't remember them talking about VAT or the RCD.

[Edward Pearson]

[IMG]Giacomo crossing the suspended canal by Giacomo De Stefano, on Flickr[/IMG]

He got from London to Istanbul in his Sooty Tern down the Danube.

[Andrew2]

Is that because bringing it over as "cargo" is looked on differently than on her own bottom? I've watched a fair number of YouTube videos and read a lot of books about people sailing across the Atlantic to Europe and don't remember them talking about VAT or the RCD.

Yes, arriving on your own bottom, so to speak, is quite different to shipping a boat over.

[WI-Tom]

[IMG]Giacomo crossing the suspended canal by Giacomo De Stefano, on Flickr[/IMG]

He got from London to Istanbul in his Sooty Tern down the Danube.

I saw his boat in the Rahmi Koc Museum in Istanbul! (Neat museum, well worth a full day at least). I would seriously consider that kind of trip.

The trick would be, how do I "arrive on my own bottom" in London, in an 18' whitehall, to begin?

Tom

[Edward Pearson]

North West passage then North East Passage bringing you down the coast of Norway. Nobody has yet sail n oared it Tom. Bears though.

[WI-Tom]

Aw, shoot. I was already packing for the voyage when you mentioned bears. Have to give it a pass...

Tom

[Ted Hoppe]

According to my friends at United Yacht Transport (a yacht and transport company) out of Fort Lauderdale, FL. specializes in transportation of yachts all over the world says all I have to do is report the vessel as entering the country and pay a small port entry fee. No VAT or other taxes. if I move between EU countries she would be considered transiting without fees. I may be required to get additional insurance but that would be ok. (There was a hint they could put the small boat on a transport for just a bit more than it would cost me to do do a container and prep work to get it in.)

[bamamick]

Neat boat. Wonderful idea. I truly can not imagine doing something like that, but then again, my idea of adventure is driving to a national park and going on a hike, or doing some daysailing. How wonderful, to be able to realize such a dream!

Mickey Lake

[Rumars]

The boat enters the EU under a temporary admission regime valid 18 months (period of discharge). This TAR is automatic (oral declaration) and resets every time you enter the EU, so all you need to do is a "visa run" to a non-EU country, there is no minimum time requirement to be spent outside the EU. It is advisable to get a written confirmation of boat entry from customs using formular 71-01 (suporting document for oral declaration). Otherwise you will be required to produce proof of the boat exiting the EU like a marina receipt. Very important, in order to be able to benefit from TAR the boat must have a valid registration and insurance.
If you fail to remove the boat from EU customs territory during the period of discharge you are liable for criminal smuggling. In order to sell the boat in the customs territory it must be first formally imported into the EU, otherwise criminal smuggling again. Importing involves CE conformity (post construction assessment acording to RCD), 25% tarrif on value (based on bill of sale or assessment), and VAT (on value+transport+tarrif).

Land motor vehicles can enter the EU customs union under a similar regime only more restrictive, only 6 months and the owner must always be present.