Advertising Issues

[Dan Dickison]

When I browse the ads for sailboats in popular sailing and yachting magazines, I frequently come across ads that state "Not for sale in the US." What does this actually mean? Is the boat not offered to US buyers, or is there something about the vessel itself, a lien or safety issue, that restricts its availability?

Dan Dickison responds:
Thanks for your question. What the phraseology you're asking about actually addresses is the issue of import duties. Because it is not lawful to advertise a foreign-built boat for sale in the US if the import duties have not been paid, advertisements that appear in US publications are obliged to carry that wording.

Now, this doesn't mean that buyers in the US can't purchase that particular boat. What it means is that they or the seller or the broker will first have to pay the duty on the boat before the sale can go through. I hope this helps you understand the ads you're seeing in the magazines.