Importing a yacht or private boat
Personal-import of a yacht/sailboat after extended cruising: flag registration, VAT/MFR, IMO compliance, marina arrival.
Checklist
- 01
Flag: most cruising yachts are registered under their owner's home country flag, but tax-efficient flags (BVI, Cayman, Marshall Islands) are common. Re-flagging may be needed.
- 02
VAT: EU yachts have a 'VAT-paid' status; bringing in a non-VAT-paid yacht to EU waters triggers VAT on the hull value (or 18-month Temporary Importation).
- 03
Import: arrival at destination marina + customs clearance via the destination's official Port of Entry. EPIRB registration with destination authority.
- 04
MARPOL Annex V: discharge / black-water rules apply. Some destinations require holding-tank certification before marina access.
- 05
Insurance: hull + machinery + liability + war-risk; check named-cruising-area exclusions.