News

Our much-anticipated virtual Promo Week took off with a spring in its step on Monday 22 March and is deemed to have delivered successfully on all fronts. We gained new members, engaged with cruising fanatics on Live Chat, and delivered some excellent discounts for members.

HMRC has made a further revision to the VAT 'Returned Good Relief' (RGR) rules that now apply to yachts following the end of the Brexit transition period. The headline news is that the "grace period" allowed for the return of yachts from the EU to the UK without VAT being due has been extended from 31 December 2021 to 30 June 2022.

The CA received the following statement from the Stakeholder Engagement Team of HM Revenue and Customs:

A survey carried out amongst Cruising Association (CA) members who keep their boats on the rivers and canals of Schengen countries has revealed that 80% are likely to sell their boats and give up cruising altogether, or move their base to a non-Schengen country.

Overall figures for coastal cruising boat owners are expected to be broadly similar although with more sailing out of Schengen waters to other cruising grounds.

From 30 June non-commercial vessels wishing to refuel in Northern Ireland must do so with white diesel. What’s the snag? There are no marine white diesel pumps in Northern Ireland, and demand is insufficient for commercial operators to make provision.

The Cruising Association (CA) is delighted that the government has reviewed its proposals for the reform of UK red diesel regulations for marine craft, as announced in yesterday’s Spring Budget. It has concluded that removing the entitlement to use red diesel in the commercial sector, including water borne freight, ferries, fishing vessels, operating at sea or inland, would have had a detrimental effect on their finances and viabilities.