Exiting the EU and VAT

[dpignolet]

I'm hoping someone knows the process. I have purchased a RIB for our boat in the EU this week and exit the EU next week. I'm hoping I can make a claim for getting VAT back for my RIB. Does anyone know the process?

[boatman61]

You have to go to the Customs office in your port and fill in a load of forms then present them, along with your receipt of purchase.
Refund usually takes around 3 months and is paid direct into your bank account.

[dpignolet]

Is that any customs office in the EU. The dinghy is being delivered in France in Canet En-roussilon, then we'll make a stop in Barcelona next week, then off to Gibraltar

[boatman61]

Last port in the EU.. so if after Gib your headed to the Canaries you would do it in Las Palmas or whichever port your leaving from.

[dpignolet]

Gibraltar is no longer part of EU, so it's actually Barcelona then

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by dpignolet

Gibraltar is no longer part of EU, so it's actually Barcelona then

Depends on where you go to after Gibraltar. If you stop in Spain Canaries or Portugal Madeira, that's really your last port in Europe. Do the checkout there.

[Wilyum]

can you claim a VAT refund on labour? Does the UK still offer VAT refunds?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Wilyum

can you claim a VAT refund on labour? Does the UK still offer VAT refunds?

On labour no.. Goods only..
As for the UK, I would imagine UK VAT refunds can be obtained within the required paramiters.

[Nor]

It varies by country, ask the seller, it's them that has to refund the VAT (unless they use global blue etc). Normally you'll just get a customs stamp on the invoice when you exit the EU, then you send this to the seller and then they can refund the VAT. I did this recently.

If you'd bought it in Spain (where you'll also exit) then should buy from a seller that would give you a DIVA form when you can scan directly in Spain.

Originally Posted by Franziska

Depends on where you go to after Gibraltar. If you stop in Spain Canaries or Portugal Madeira, that's really your last port in Europe. Do the checkout there.

If he goes to Gibralter then he has exited the EU, and might reenter again later in Canaries

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Last port in the EU.. so if after Gib your headed to the Canaries you would do it in Las Palmas or whichever port your leaving from.

Are you sure? While The Canary Islands are within the EU 'tax union' they are excluded from it with regard to VAT/IVA; so if they are VAT-free zone, can you make a VAT reclaim application there? It's a long way back to the Algarve if you can't; I'd be tempted to reclaim in mainland Europe and claim you're bypassing the Canaries. Nobody there is going to check on the VAT status of your dinghy.

[VikingBlod]

We are in the final stages of purchasing a boat in France. Plan to sail it out of the EU to Turkey in the first 3 months (visa restriction) starting end of March.

But the boat needs a new set of sails, cushions, mattresses etc… Is there a limit to what I can claim back? Also I have to order these items in advance and would expect a deposit will be required. I would imagine the date on the invoice would be used to start the 3 month clock, vs delivery date. Perhaps splitting the invoice would allow me to reclaim a portion of it.

Thoughts?

[Nor]

Originally Posted by VikingBlod

We are in the final stages of purchasing a boat in France. Plan to sail it out of the EU to Turkey in the first 3 months (visa restriction) starting end of March.

But the boat needs a new set of sails, cushions, mattresses etc… Is there a limit to what I can claim back? Also I have to order these items in advance and would expect a deposit will be required. I would imagine the date on the invoice would be used to start the 3 month clock, vs delivery date. Perhaps splitting the invoice would allow me to reclaim a portion of it.

Thoughts?

Ask the shop, they should be able to tell you if they offer vat refund and when they will date the invoice.