T&T: French Canals/Atlantic piggyback transit

[Roger Bingham]

Hi All

I have received a few responses to my posting regarding US boats in the EU -
I thought it worth adding this.

First - Try wading through these

http://tinyurl.com/5wh5f3 heavy going but comprehensive

http://www.small-craft-consultancy.com/refpg1.html easier but brief

http://www.ceproof.com/Marine/cemarking.htm a firm that actually does RCD
compliance work


Imported boats not manufactured to RCD requirements can be inspected by a
"notified body" and if all is correct (it won't be) and remedial
work/modifications are carried out they may then be issued with RCD
compliance. Electrical work is usually required and stability calculations
made and recorded. A comprehensive user handbook will also be required. This
process can be costly - $5K upwards

Some US boats are now being manufactured to meet RCD requirements - PDQ,
Nordhavn and American Tug come to mind. These builders would be in a good
position to advise on what work may be necessary to modify an existing US
model to meet RCD.

RCD compliance is only necessary if a boat is placed on the market.
Visitors may use their non-compliant boats and be exempt from paying VAT for
six months.
At that time they are required to remove the boat from EU (Turkey, N Africa,
Russia)
After a decent period the clock is re-set and a return to EU for a further
six months is OK etc etc

If you wish or are resigned to paying VAT choose the country with the lowest
rate.

http://tinyurl.com/5w6dxl Page 4 gives all rates

UK has one of the lowest rates at 17.5 and most of the people in HM Revenue
and Customs speak passable English :-)

A recent addition to RCD is the noise standard and this could cause problems
as, on older boats, each installation has to be tested.

By the way - The cheap diesel in UK ends on November 1st 2008 and a new
regime begins. The purchaser self-certifies the proportion of fuel bought
used for propulsion and domestic (heating, gennies). HMRC have said that a
60/40 split would be about right. Only the propulsion element is charged at
the higher duty rate. It is expected that marine diesel will cost around
#1.00 per litre ($5.50 US Gal).

Here in France and most of Europe we have been paying full rate for years -
about Euros 1.30 litre ($6.25 US gal)

Regards
Roger Bingham
France