Croatian Boat Owners Count The Cost of EU Entry

by • March 26, 2013 • Boat Tax Issues, Croatia, YachtsComments Off on Croatian Boat Owners Count The Cost of EU Entry1448

The local maritime industry estimates that there are approximately 10,000 vessels registered with Croatian authorities. On 1st July 2013 Croatia will join the European Union and EU yacht owners based in Croatia will be obliged to put their vessels into free circulation within the EU. In order to do this, owners must pay the customs duties and VAT as defined by the EU Customs Union – set at a rate of 25% (from 1st June).

In response to this new tax, and considering the high number of yachts in the country, the Croatian government has been forced to incentivise yachts to remain and are, at present, putting temporarily admitted yachts into free circulation at a reduced tax rate of 5%. However, this rate is due to expire on the 31st May and requires the yacht to be entered in Croatian registers and placed under the Croatian flag.

Dubrovnik

This is good news for those who have already paid their customs duty prior to Croatia joining the EU, these vessels will automatically acquire the status of Community goods (EU goods) as of 1st July.

Those vessels that do decide to stay in Croatia face extensive paperwork in order to pass import customs clearance and entry into the Croatian Register. It can take up to twenty days to gather all the required documentation required to register one boat.

As the summer season sails into view most Croatian owners have been left questioning where they should register their vessels, and which flag it is most beneficial to sail under. In making these vital decisions the dominant consideration is cost, with many looking to register their vessel wherever it is cheapest – though access to an international airport is also an important consideration.

Brela

For some, particularly charters, countries outside of the EU pose attractive benefits in terms of tax and import regulations. Gibraltar’s yacht-friendly legislation for example offers 0% import tax, 0% tax rates on yacht purchases and sales, as well as tax and duty free fuel.

These cost advantages combined with yacht-friendly legislation suggest the second half of 2013 will likely see an exodus of boats into outside EU waters but Gibraltar’s strategic location and unique status within the EU means that demand for yacht berths is sure to increase.

 

Pin It

Comments are closed.