Best place to buy a new boat

[watergirl_2018]

Hello

We are USA citizens currently in Portugal. Once the travel bans lift we want to buy a new sailing boat. Either Oceanis 41 or the 46.1

We are confused about prices and the many options including where to buy the boat. We are reading that we can buy it here in the EU and register it in the USA and that if we sailing it less than one year we can avoid Paying VAT as we are not residents.

Or we can buy it in Tahiti with no VAT but $25k transportation fee.

We would appreciate your suggestions on:

1. Where to buy it to reduce or eliminate the transportation fees.
2. Where to register it
3. What are the rules for VAT taxes

Thanks

WG

[letsgetsailing3]

I'd buy it where I was going to use it, for ease of getting warranty items addressed during the warranty period. There will undoubtedly be some issues to address. Sometimes very important ones. A dealer is going to be a LOT more helpful if you purchased your boat from them. I've seen people suffer tremendously because they tried to save a few bucks. Relationships make a difference.

Someone else with experience doing what you're doing can better address the VAT issues, but you can avoid VAT if your intent is to remove the boat from the EU (and you actually remove it within the prescribed time period).

Another potential issue is your residency status - there are ins and outs of that as well.

The coronavirus situation will obviously complicate all of this, so I recommend that you play it conservatively.

Hey, and have fun. Sounds like a great adventure.

[Whiteoil]

The Netherlands, great pricing on boats and they look really well maintained.

[Mag3]

Solid Advice.

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

I'd buy it where I was going to use it, for ease of getting warranty items addressed during the warranty period. There will undoubtedly be some issues to address. Sometimes very important ones. A dealer is going to be a LOT more helpful if you purchased your boat from them. I've seen people suffer tremendously because they tried to save a few bucks. Relationships make a difference.

Someone else with experience doing what you're doing can better address the VAT issues, but you can avoid VAT if your intent is to remove the boat from the EU (and you actually remove it within the prescribed time period).

Another potential issue is your residency status - there are ins and outs of that as well.

The coronavirus situation will obviously complicate all of this, so I recommend that you play it conservatively.

Hey, and have fun. Sounds like a great adventure.