Following the complaint to the European Union (EU) by the Cruising Association (CA) on the VAT Status of UK yachts in Greece after returning from outside EU Waters , the latest announcement received from the Greek Customs authority acknowledges the rights of UK yachts to return to Greek Waters and retain their EU VAT Status.
The EU has confirmed to the Cruising Association (CA) that days spent in an EU country where you have a visa/residence permit granted by that country do not count as days spent in the Schengen zone in calculating either the 90 days or the 180 days in the Schengen 90/180 calculation.
The Greek tax authority, the AADE, has agreed: "UK-flagged vessels moored or sailing in EU waters before the Transition Period ended (1.1.2021), regardless of where the taxes have been paid, retain their EU status for as long as they remain in [those waters]."
In a letter published in The Times newspaper today, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Patron of the Cruising Association (CA), highlights the devastating effect of HMRC's demands for VAT on boats returning to the UK.
Since leaving the EU, boats arriving in France from the UK or Channel Islands are required to sail to one of a small number of "Ports of Entry" (mainly the ferry ports) and search out the relevant authorities - usually the Police aux Frontières - to register the arrival of their boat and crew.
The Duchess of Kent Trophy was bequeathed to the Association by B.H. LePine Williams following the demise of the Motor Boats Association. It had previously been awarded to Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsay for his role in organising the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk in 1940. In this same spirit, it is now presented to any sailor, not necessarily a CA member, who has achieved something exceptional in or around small boats.
The President, Council and members of the Cruising Association send their heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the entire Royal Family on the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh this morning. We were honoured to welcome Prince Philip to CA House on 22 July 1998, as our photo shows.
He will always be remembered as an enthusiastic sailor with a lifelong love of the sea.
The Cruising Association is seeking a hard-working and proven PR professional to commence working either in-house, or as an external consultant. The role offers flexibility and can either be conducted remotely or at our head office in Limehouse Basin, London. Our current Press & PR Manager will be retiring later this year, so a thorough handover process will be available.
The AADE (the independent Greek tax authority) finally issued two conflicting sets of differing instructions, one to Customs offices, and the other to the CA. The contents were NOT what we were expecting to hear, and indeed were totally at odds with what the Withdrawal Agreement, UCC and the advice received from the EU Commission has said.
Our annual Log Competition is one of the most important events in our calendar, dating back to the 1920s. There are nine prestigious trophies awarded to members for the best log of a cruise carried out in the most recent season in a variety of categories. The osCA, sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston, is awarded for the best video log of a cruise
