French flag boat purchase

[Xavierp]

Hey friends,
I started the same type of thread a few days ago but my question wasnt’ clear and the answers went in various directions, but I did learn a lot.
Now I have a clearer position.

Since this question has a black and white answer, it would be great if the answers come from people who are or have been in the same situation as me, or people who work for the US coast guards offices / customs, etc… Guessing won’t help.
THx in advance.
- I am AMerican and French.
- I live in the USA
- I am buying a French flag sailboat in French Martinique
- I will live/work on the boat 7 months / year.
- the remaining 5 months I will stay in the US in my apartment

With the French flag what happens if I spend some time in Florida, mooring or at the marina, or on the dry?
Will the IRS ask me to pay for the sales tax just because the boat is on US land for more than x arount of time?

[Xavierp]

Answer to my own question in case someone is curious
[QUOTE=Tin Tin;3777305]If you leave the boat as french flag and if as you say VAT has already been proven to be paid on it then you will pay no sales based tax, if you leave it outside the USA. If however you want to bring it to the USA for stays of less than a year, leave it French flagged and get a 12 month cruising license for $20 approx (just means you might have to leave the USA again to restart the process) You can not sell the boat to a USA citizen whilst on a cruising license unless you pay import duty (1.5% ?)


However your personal residency may be a complication, we dealt with this firm who are very helpful
https://howardsreederinc.com/underst...newal-process/