Buying a boat in Norway

[anchorman01]

Has anyone had any experience of buying a sailboat in Norway? Sailing it back to the UK and if had to pay any taxes on their return. Any feedback is appreciated

[TrentePieds]

Contact a customs broker in the UK, or an office of His Majesty's Collector of Customs directly, to determine what the rate of import duty is.

In Norway there is a tax on transactions of many, many kinds. Generally, the omsætningsafgift (VAT) is 25% of the invoice amount. I do not know if there are exceptions for the sale of yachts. If you are buying through a broker, he will certainly know. If you are buying from a private individual, he would be responsible for collecting any applicable VAT and remitting it to the authorities even if he is ignorant of his duty to do so and fails to do so. Best that you get the word directly from the Norwegian Skattemyndigheder (equivalent to the UK Department of Inland Revenue).

As for the voyage twixt Norway and England, that is obviously a matter totally unrelated to the legalities. I assume you are conversant with how snarly the Atlantic and the North Sea can be, particularly this time of the year.

It is not wise to engage in contractual matters relying only on advice gleaned on HolyMotherNet! Do take the very little trouble it is to contact the government departments responsible for enforcing the legalities. Get it from the horse's mouth!

TrentePieds

[anchorman01]

I agree with your response I will contact them, as you say from the horse's mouth. And no would not try to sail across right now but would leave on the hard until spring. Thank you

[boatman61]

I imagine UK vat will be applicable... also possible you'll need a 'Conformity' inspection.

[anchorman01]

Is that basically a safety inspection

[boatman61]

It's basically the UK version of the EU's CE standard..

[anchorman01]

Thanks

[goboatingnow]

It’s not complex

If it’s a new boat you will be charged Norwegian vat , which can be reclaimed on immediate export from Norway , ( 30 days window to export ) if its second hand and vat paid no reclaim is possible , if it’s second hand and non vat , the situation depends on the vat status of the seller. If the seller is not vat registered then they do not collect vat.

On arrival in the uk , uk vat is now payable on import. This can be arranged through HM customs , offices in major ports or contact Dover

Currently European CE marked boats are accepted as being UK compliant. This will be reviewed in 2023 but current indications are it will be extended

Hence at present no uk compliant activity or inspection is required.