Easing of EU VAT restrictions delayed

Plans to scrap second VAT payments for EU-VAT paid boats returning to the UK are facing delays.

The Association of Brokers & Yacht Agents (ABYA) has been lobbying the British government for changes which would allow UK owners of vessels, bought UK or EU VAT paid pre 31 December 2020 and based in the EU, to return the boat to the UK without having to pay VAT again.

ABYA members were due to attend a presentation by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in relation to the proposed changes to Returned Goods Relief for EU-VAT paid boats, but it was cancelled at the last minute.

A spokesman for HMRC told ABYA that Ministers were ‘still