Vat

Tim M · 29 November 2006, 17:49

This seems to be a bit of a grey area (well it does to me anyway). I own a second hand boat. If I want to take it abroad, or even to Guernsey, I will need, amongst other bits of paper, "something" that proves that VAT has been paid on the boat.

What exactly is this bit of paper and how do I get one. I have a bill of sale which proves that I paid money for the boat and that it is mine, but obviously there is nothing on there about VAT.

Can anyone explain?

Pete7 · 29 November 2006, 21:32

Tim, there is something about this in the members section on the RYA website, but can't find my membership number to log in.

http://www.rya.org.uk/KnowledgeBase/buyingaboat/

Pete

Tim M · 30 November 2006, 09:26

Thanks Pete. Unfortunaly I'm not a member of the RYA so can't view that.

Does anyone have any other info?

Tim M · 30 November 2006, 11:09

Many thanks to Nick Herne for some more info.

Having read around it seems that the only way you can prove anything when abroad is by showing your bill of sale, which simply proves that the vat issue is the business of the uk customs people.

This means then that owners of second hand boats are, in the majority of cases, unable to PROVE that vat has been paid on that boat.

I assume from all this that UK customs would be happy simply with a bill of sale and arn't going to impound ones rib becasue you dont have proof of vat status.

This situation seems really unsatisfactory to me......

RIVA · 30 November 2006, 11:21

invoice with vat number is fine showing vat ( as most ribs dont have a bill of sale )

Tim M · 30 November 2006, 11:24

This was a private sale though....

RIVA · 30 November 2006, 11:57

not when it was new it wasnt ?

were is its paperwork ?

nik · 30 November 2006, 19:00

Why is it then that we do not have to prove that vat has been paid on cars that we take abroad?
Nick.

bedajim · 01 December 2006, 05:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIVA

not when it was new it wasnt ?

were is its paperwork ?

So are you saying that you need the original vat invoice ?

If so what happens when you buy a boat thats ten years old with 6 owners etc, not many would have passed a copy of the original invoice to the second owner never mind it going further down the chain

Pete7 · 01 December 2006, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

If so what happens when you buy a boat thats ten years old with 6 owners etc, not many would have passed a copy of the original invoice to the second owner never mind it going further down the chain

The RYA knows this can be a worry for owners so they created a complete section in the RYA members area. Alternatively buy one from Riva with the original purchase invoice regardless of age.

The Dover customs Unit used to issue a certificate in lieu if you had good evidence of the boat being old pre 1994 I think, but the unit closed. However you could try your local customs and excise department for advice, they are quite active of the South Coast at the moment

Peter

Tim M · 01 December 2006, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

So are you saying that you need the original vat invoice ?

If so what happens when you buy a boat thats ten years old with 6 owners etc, not many would have passed a copy of the original invoice to the second owner never mind it going further down the chain

That's exactly the situation I find my self in. I would have thought the vast majority of second hand boats over a few years old don't come with the original vat invoice, especially if they are on the 3rd or 4th owner.

I'll give customs a call and see what they say.

RIVA · 01 December 2006, 08:57

you have to start treating ribs like cars , history is value , paperwork is money ?