Buying your boat through Boatmatch.com

Boatmatch charges the lowest brokerage fees in the industry on the fairest terms. Buyers and sellers using boatmatch are able to agree the best deals because our brokerage fees are so low. Our experienced brokers will closely monitor sales, provide qualified advice to buyer and seller, manage contracts and see every transaction through to a safe, secure and successful conclusion.

Buying your new boat with Boatmatch.com should be an enjoyable experience, we want to ensure the transaction takes place smoothly and safely with the minimum of fuss. In order to safeguard both buyers and sellers boatmatch closely monitors the sales process providing expert advice when necessary. If you require help or information at any time please contact boatmatch for assistance.

If you have purchased a boat before you will appreciate that certain criteria must be met before you proceed with the purchase; you must have proof of ownership, knowledge of any charges against the boat and we recommend you commission a full survey.

Boatmatch.com has linked up with the leading marine finance and insurance companies to provide the best terms for clients wishing to finance their new boat. Please talk to us in the first instance.

Proof of ownership

Sellers are required to provide Boatmatch.com with proof of ownership as part of the registration process. As part of the contractual process, the buyer or his representative will need to establish who has title and to establish whether there are any charges against the boat, such as a marine mortgage.

Survey

Boatmatch.com recommend that all boat buyers instruct a professional surveyor to provide a written report on the boat and its condition. Please ensure that your surveyor is a member of a recognised professional body and has appropriate insurance.

Contract

English law applies to all transactions.

Boatmatch.com uses a sale contract based on the International recognised British Marine Federation contract for the sale or purchase of a second hand vessel.

Recreational Craft Directive 94/25/EC, European Economic Area

A boat does not need to comply with the RCD if:

• It is one of the exclusions - principally craft intended solely for racing plus other minor categories.
• It was built in the EEA prior to 16th June 1998.
• It was in use in the EEA prior to 16th June 1998.
• It is only visiting the EEA for reasons of tourism or in transit.

A boat does need to comply with the RCD if it is not one of the above and if:

• It was first placed on the EEA market after 16th June 1998.
• It was put into service in the EEA after 16th June 1998.
• It is a home built boat placed on the market within five years of completion.
• It is an experimental or racing boat being redesigned for compliance with the RCD.

The EEA includes all EU States, their overseas territories and dependencies and Iceland and Norway.

Value Added tax - guidance notes - a summary

The details below indicate the VAT rulings within the EC. While Boatmatch.com will assist on VAT matters it is the responsibility of the buyer to confirm any VAT liability with their local VAT office.

Value Added Tax - Private transactions

What documents will be required to provide proof of the VAT status on a used vessel?

EU residents should only use a vessel in the Community if it is VAT paid or 'deemed' VAT paid. Documentary evidence supporting this should be carried at all times as you may be asked by customs officials in other Member States to provide evidence of your vessel's VAT status. Documentary evidence might include:

• original invoice or receipt;
• evidence that VAT was paid at importation; and/or
• invoices for materials used in the construction of a 'Home-Built' vessel.

A registration document on its own does not prove the VAT status of the vessel, as there is no link in the UK between the registry of the vessel and the payment of VAT. If you have difficulty in providing the information, you should contact our National Advice Service.

Certain vessels that were in use as private pleasure craft prior to 1 January 1985 and were in the EU on 31 December 1992, may be deemed VAT paid under the Single Market transitional arrangements. As Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the EU later, the relevant dates for vessels in these countries are 'in use' before 1 January 1987 and moored in EU on 31 December 1994.

The following documents are useful to prove the age and location of the vessel:

If you are unable to provide any of the above, whilst cruising within the EU you should carry a Bill of Sale (between two private individuals in the UK). Whilst this is not conclusive proof that VAT has been paid, it does indicate that tax status is the responsibility of UK Customs. It is also advisable to contact the relevant authorities in the Member State, or their Embassy in the UK, to confirm what documentation will be required in advance of your voyage.

When buying a used pleasure craft from any commercial organisation in the EU, you should ensure that the invoice shows separately any VAT, which that organisation becomes liable to pay to its VAT collection authority as a result of selling the pleasure craft to you. If the invoice does not show VAT separately you may have difficulty in substantiating a claim that no further VAT is due. If you are buying from a business or an individual in the EU with no liability to account for VAT, you should obtain evidence that VAT, if it had ever been due in the EU, has been accounted for.

Can a vessel lose its VAT paid status?

VAT is due on the importation of any vessel from outside the EU. However, there are provisions for this VAT to be relieved when an EU VAT paid vessel returns to the EU. This provision is only appropriate if the person who exported the vessel undertakes the importation. If an EU VAT paid vessel leaves the EU, and whilst outside the EU is sold, the new owner will, unless eligible for one of the reliefs described in this Notice, be liable to pay VAT if the vessel is brought back into the EU.

Customs Offices in the United Kingdom
National 'Yachtline': 0845 723 1110

Value Added Tax - Company owned boats

Where a company owned boat, on which VAT has been reclaimed, is sold, VAT must be charged on the full value of the sale.