US import duty refund - is it possible

Zanshin · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008

I am very close to making an offer on a new Jeanneau that has just been imported into the USA and is still in the possession of the dealer. The original purchaser will not be able to consummate the deal and the rebate offered by the dealer is significant enough to really interest me (despite my aversion to new boats); but as I will be exporting the boat immediately upon purchase I wonder if I can get a refund of the import duty paid on the boat - that might make or break the deal for me. I've done a bit of googling but haven't found anything definite yet and would appreciate any pointers from the forum.
p.s. Anyone visiting Annapolis can see it at the Jeanneau stands, it is big and has a blue hull.

blt2ski · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Have you asked the dealer? That would be my first thought, then again, they might answer affirmitive when in reality it is a negitive to make the sale. Being as the boat has NOT been registered in the USA you should be elligible, the questions becomes, how many and big of hoops do you have to go thru. Frankly, I personally do not know the department with the US gvmt that does that. If it were a state sales tax, that is easy to figure out etc.

Marty

Zanshin · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

The dealer couldn't answer the question but looked into it. I just found out that the duty is refundable - but that it is only 1% (for some reason I was thinking along the VAT lines of 14% and thought it would make the boat a lot cheaper). The procedure seems to be simple.

FarCry · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

So are you buying it?