EU Vat ramp check on N reg

[flyingfemme]

That's only because Johnny Foreigner doesn't understand that you can register an aircraft in the UK without actually paying the VAT. The two are unrelated in law..........
I understand that other countries are not like minded and insist on proof of VAT status before granting a registration

[Shanwick Shanwick]

I'm looking to buy an aircraft in the US which prior to its export in 1994, was owned and operated by a flying school in Belgium.

I was first registered in Europe in 1968 but there is no paper trail to show VAT/Duty being paid in Belgium, only proof of Belgian registration.

Any ideas as to how to re-import to Europe would be most welcome.

[ifonly]

I think it will just be a normal import - if you didn't export it in the first place then then it is just goes through the normal import procedure and you pay the VAT.

[Shanwick Shanwick]

Thanks ifonly but that wasn't the answer I'd hoped for.

[piperboy84]

Why not buy it, register it, leave it in the US for six months, maybe even have a flying holiday in the US in it, them bring it over as personal chattel?

[ifonly]

Why not buy it, register it, leave it in the US for six months,

You have to have had your main residence outside the EU for at least 12 months continuously AND owned the aircraft for 6 months to qualify.

See para 5.1

HM Revenue & Customs

[piperboy84]

You have to have had your main residence outside the EU for at least 12 months continuously AND owned the aircraft for 6 months to qualify.

Sounds like there's room for maneuver on that one !

https://poboxes.usps.com/poboxonline...landingPage.do

[piperboy84]

Well it happened !!! Full on proctology exam lasting a few hours at Rennes LFRN this afternoon

[mad_jock]

Was it that bitch that was doing it?

[piperboy84]

No, 2 guys dressed up like cops, funny thing was they were waiting for me landing and while they were inspecting the plane I noticed they had an actual picture of my plane that had been printed out prior to my arrival. We went back and forward for a long time then they had a conference call with head office then decided to clear off , at which time I objected and said they were indeed customs officers they must have a stamp or seal they could put on my paperwork, it kind of took them by surprise. They went to thier car and came back with an official stamp that they put on a print out of my FAA registration along with there signature title and phone number.They were firm but fair

[30csl]

Is this still happening? Someone told me it had stepped up in recent months. I have an invoice showing VAT paid on an N reg aircraft but no certificate of free circulation. Obviously this doesnt prove the VAT wasn't reclaimed.

[500 above]

Yes. In France, it is classed as a sport.

[flyingfemme]

It doesn’t matter if the VAT was later reclaimed; the aircraft is still in “free circulation”. If you had reclaimed the VAT (legally) you simply have to charge it to the next buyer.

[markkal]

Entry into EU when moving from abroad, you are allowed to bring in your personal belongings, everything that is more than 6 months old will be free of VAT.

I assume you have had a freight forwarder doing the necessary paperwork for you and clearing import with customs.
You should have been issued with T1 EU certificates by customs and excise together with the freight forwarder receipt at completion of the procedure.

Carry these receipts with you . The T1 certificates " European Union" though written in different languages depending on country of issuance, all have the same layout with the same numbered cases for easy reference.

Hope this helps.

[30csl]

Thanks all, it was imported in 1989, no paperwork of that happening remains just a vat invoice from the company we bought it out of. It has been into France a few times with no ramp check but I had heard they had stepped up the checks recently.

[gordon field]

Originally Posted by 30csl

Thanks all, it was imported in 1989, no paperwork of that happening remains just a vat invoice from the company we bought it out of. It has been into France a few times with no ramp check but I had heard they had stepped up the checks recently.

The customs officer doesn't know whether or not your aircraft was imported yesterday or nearly 30 years ago and as you cannot PROVE that VAT has been paid I suggest that you carry copies of documents that show that it has been in free circulation since 1989. These should be scans of entries showing flights into and around various countries. I would write and print a statement of the facts in chronological order that clearly illustrate that the authorities have had ample opportunity to identify and investigate and that nothing has been hidden, have the text translated not French and Spanish using an online source.

Keep copies in the aircraft docs in the aircraft.they will soon see that you have nothing to hide.

You could be faced by an over zealous young customs offer who is under training and the watchful eye of others.

Unless you are fluent in their language stick with English otherwise you lose the initiative. Be courteous at all timens as they are only doing their jobs. I hope this helps.

[gyrotyro]

Ramp check for proof of vat paid

How does this work in respect of aircraft built before 1971 when VAT was not invented?

[gordon field]

Originally Posted by gyrotyro

How does this work in respect of aircraft built before 1971 when VAT was not invented?

if the aircraft was already in the EU before VAT was in force then it is already in the system. Do not confuse VAT on sale with VAT/Duty payable upon entry.