French Aircraft Import

[Potter1]

Can anyone tell me, if I purchase a French aircraft and transfer it onto the UK register are there any import duties or VAT to pay on the aircraft? All French taxes have previously been paid etc.

Thanks for the help.

P…

[ormus55]

afaik.
generally, there are no import duties at all between EC member countries.
assuming the aircraft came from say, the USA to the EC when new, then import duty will have been paid then, and there is no need to pay the duty again.

vat is another matter. think you pay either the french vat or the uk vat. again assuming, its a purchase from a registered vat seller.
fairly certain that no vat is required if the vendor is a private seller.

i stand to be corrected by anyone with more specific knowledge.

[Mark 1]

In general its no different buying in France to buying at home.

No import duty. If the seller is VAT registered, he will charge VAT, but he may reclaim any VAT paid in acquiring the aircraft.

Buying privately avoids that.