There has been much discussion on forums and social media about the possibilities of using Temporary Importation License as a tax efficient way of owning a vessel.
Gibraltar is inside the EU but outside the EU Customs Area
Temporary Admission (or Temporary Importation) is a mechanism that enables non European Union (EU) resident yacht owners to bring their vessels into European waters for a limited time and under certain conditions without having to pay VAT on their yachts.
The mechanism has been designed to allow visiting vessels to cruise in EU waters unmolested for an extended period without becoming obliged to be VAT-paid under EU regulations.
However, an EU national can establish residence outside the EU VAT Zone (e.g. Gibraltar) and therefore avail themselves of the Temporary Importation laws.
Anecdoctal evidence and contributors to forums such as cruisingworld would suggest that a short trip across the water to Morocco for a night could be sufficient evidence of exiting the VAT zone (although many also note that it is good to get marina berth receipts or fuel receipts to evidence as simply floating into international waters is not sufficient!).
Temporary Importation License for yachts in the EU
Criteria for Temporary Admission
- The yacht must be owned by a natural person (i.e. an individual) or a legal person (i.e. a company) who is established (i.e. resident) outside the VAT territory of the EU.
- The yacht must be used privately, i.e. no charter
Time Allowed for Temporary Admission
The yacht can only be used within the EU for a maximum of 18 months after its first arrival. Under certain conditions this time frame can be extended to a maximum of 24 months.
Restricted Actions under Temporary Admission
The sale of a yacht whilst lying within the EU under Temporary Admission would breach the conditions of the relief.
The key stages of an example non-EU structure are as follows:
- Incorporation of a yacht owning company in a location outside the EU VAT zone such as Gibraltar or the BVI.
- This company contracts for the build or purchase of the yacht which will be registered in the name of the company at the owner’s preferred offshore port of registry, (for example the Gibraltar, Cayman Islands, BVI).
- The yacht is delivered to the company outside the VAT Territory of the EU.
- The yacht will enter the EU and begin its Temporary Admission period.
Where can you find the legal texts?
The legal provisions on temporary importation are found in:
• Articles 137 to 144 of the Customs Code
(Council Regulation (EEC) N° 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs)
• Articles 553 to 562 of the implementing provisions of the Customs Code.
(Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993)
More Links
Government of Gibraltar explain the further tax advantages of registration on the Rock here
