[c2cSailor]

While I'm not versed on import duties on foreign vessels, I don't understand why this person was charged if the vessel was not being brought into the country for resale. My opinion is to register your vessel in the country where you file taxes and recieve your mail, bills, ect. In the US, a vessel must be registered in the state of principal use. In your case being a liveaboard underway, you could get away with documenting the vessel though the USCG, but that implies a residence somewhere in the states. In addition, some states here in the US require you register your vessel in their state regardless of USCG documentation. We have some pretty strange laws here. Good luck.