Import duties on a used boat?

[dbottjen]

There is a boat that needs extensive repairs outside the US, the client and I are discussing sending a crew to repair (expensive travel) or bring the boat to the US for repair. He's concerned he will be hit with import duties if he sends it to us. anybody know the rules or who to contact?
Thanks!

[imagine2frolic]

More information is needed. Is the boat U.S. flagged? If so is it documented? Will the boat be leaving after repairs? How long will the repairs take? If not U.S. flagged then where?......i2f

[dbottjen]

The boat was originally built here, then shipped to Tahiti, it's a 61' sportfishing boat, probably documented. The repairs will take 6-8 months, then return to Tahiti.

[Sailormann]

A) If the boat was originally built in the US; and no major work has been done to the boat; there is no duty.

b) If the boat was built in the US; and if work is done to the boat in a country that does not currently have a free trade agreement with the US; duty is payable on the value of the repair work.

c) If the boat was built outside of the US in a country that does not have a current free trade agreement with the US there will be duty payable.

d) If the boat is repaired in the US and then returned to Tahiti; and if the boat is Tahitian-flagged; there is a possibility that the repair work will be dutiable when it is returned to that country.

Verify this on the US Customs website, and in the case of 'd)' - with Tahitian authorities.


Good Luck !