Knowledge

- In future, yacht owners will be able to provide evidence of their boat’s EU goods status as a precautionary measure by means of an official T2L certificate, even without having undertaken a specific voyage.
- mwst-boot.org checks the boat’s history and documentation, assesses its VAT and EU status, and assists with the T2L application where appropriate.
- This solution is particularly relevant for older yachts and in cases of a change of ownership, as the EU requires robust evidence in cases of doubt regarding EU status.

EU goods status for recreational craft: Official proof is now available

- A 26-year-old motorboat driver has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, eight of which are suspended, for causing death by gross negligence following a fatal collision on Lake Constance.  
- He was travelling at approximately 60 km/h, was distracted by his mobile phone, taking photos, attempting to make bookings and having conversations, and failed to notice the sailing boat; a 57-year-old woman died, whilst her husband survived.  
- The judgement is not yet final; mitigating factors included his confession, his previous conduct and psychological distress; he was ordered to pay 5,000 euros to the bereaved.

Mobile phone use whilst driving: Young motorboat driver sentenced to prison

- In Sicily, bundles of cash were washed ashore following an alleged money-laundering case; they were seized as evidence and not treated as lost property.
- In Germany, flotsam generally remains the property of the person who lost it; finders must report finds worth 10 euros or more and only acquire ownership after six months.
- For yachts, salvage law applies: salvage entitles the salvager only to a salvage reward, not to ownership; the owner’s liability may continue despite having abandoned the vessel.

Flotsam and ghost ships: What sailors are actually allowed to keep

- The Union goods status of yachts is crucial; old proof of purchase is often insufficient; owners must be able to provide conclusive evidence of the goods’ taxed status.  
- Long voyages, the three-year rule, EU outermost regions and refits carried out outside the EU can jeopardise Union goods status and require careful documentation.  
- Buyers of second-hand boats are increasingly asking for proof of VAT payment; Tanis explains which documents are valid and how checks and any potential additional claims are handled.

New podcast episode: VAT, EU goods, customs checks: What yacht owners need to know about their yacht’s status – with Benyamin Tanis

- The ‘Union goods’ status of recreational craft depends on whether they are manufactured within the EU or have been duly imported and VAT has been paid; it is not a permanent characteristic.
- The law firm Tanis von der Mosel offers a free initial assessment via mwst-boot.org, as well as status documents for a fee, with a money-back guarantee.
- Leaving EU waters results in the loss of this status; it can be regained within three years provided the vessel remains in the same ownership and has not undergone any significant alterations.

EU goods status for recreational craft: yachting lawyer offers a solution

- The WSV is demanding high usage fees for seagrass restoration in the Baltic Sea, which is putting planned planting initiatives by volunteers at serious risk.  
- It is disputed whether restoration constitutes ‘use’ of the seabed; Environmentalists see this as a contradiction with EU restoration legislation and Baltic Sea conservation objectives.  
- A conflict of jurisdiction between the federal government (WSV/Ministry of Transport) and the state of Schleswig-Holstein is delaying a resolution, whilst the limited planting season ends in August.

Protection of the Baltic Sea: Those who plant seagrass should pay – federal authority halts volunteers’ efforts

- Higher Regional Court of Schleswig confirms liability for damages: Mooring lines only on a slip were not sufficient when extreme high water was forecast.  
- Owners must appoint a reliable person in their absence; harbour master or neighbours are not obliged without prior agreement.  
- Judgement stipulates from a maritime perspective that lines must be secured against high tides in the event of a storm surge warning; similar claims do not expire until 31 December 2026.

Law: Court ruling sets standards for mooring yachts

- The Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan replaces the failed national park project and comprises a 16-point programme for three marine protected areas.  
- A working group with around 30 stakeholders is developing navigation rules for these areas, which are subject to the federal government as federal waterways.  
- Once the consultations have been completed, Schleswig-Holstein will submit applications for a federal navigation ordinance with sanction and implementation rules.

Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan: Interview on planned navigation rules

- Union status of boats, proof via T2L, EU guidelines and Q&A clarify many special cases regarding customs and VAT issues.
- If boats leave the EU, they lose their EU status; duty and VAT-free return only for returned goods, usually within three years, in the same condition.
- Third-country boats can remain duty-free in the EU for up to 18 months for temporary use; crossing the border usually counts as an (import/export) declaration.

VAT: Questions and answers on the new EU guidelines

- The master has the sole authority to issue instructions on board, bears overall responsibility and may take sovereign measures in accordance with the SeeArbG.  
- Employment relationships of the crew are primarily governed by the law of the flag state; German law rarely applies in practice due to foreign flags.  
- International regulations (e.g. Maritime Labour Convention) ensure minimum standards, supplemented by ship creditors' rights for wages and compensation.

Yacht law: How is the legal relationship between crew and owner regulated?

- New EU guideline specifies when recreational craft are Union goods, but does not replace the obligation to provide evidence in the event of customs doubts.
- Organised documentation on ownership, acquisition, import, moorings, voyages and refits is essential to prove status and treatment of returned goods.
- Leaving EU waters terminates the Union goods status; return within three years can be considered as returned goods if identity and person can be proven.

Proof of VAT: EU publishes guidelines for recreational craft

- On German waters, the general rule is 0.5 per mille, on Lake Constance 0.8 per mille; in the case of signs of impairment, 0.3 per mille everywhere.  
- When transporting passengers or hazardous goods, a strict limit of 0.0 per mille applies for those involved in shipping traffic.  
- Violations between 0.5 and 1.09 per mille lead to high fines, and from 1.1 per mille there is a risk of a criminal offence, a fine or imprisonment and driving licence revocation.

Fines: Watch out with alcohol - the drink-drive limit on the water

Sailing law: You should know these rules & regulations for sailing! ✅ Safe sailing ➤ the most important sailing rules!

Sailing law: All regulations and sailing rules at a glance

Tik Tok

player.target-video.com

target-video.com

protegear.io

predictwind.com

vimeo.com

doo.net

team-malizia.geovoile.com

www.ndr.de

YB Tracking mit Google Maps

https://awin.comagno.com

Windfinder Widget

X.com

racemap.com

touren.bike-magazin.de

Spotify

New York Vendée

www.outdooractive.com

www.br.de 

Tickaroo

Google

Instagram

thetransat.geovoile.com 

www.br.de

www.facebook.com

www.youtube.com

player.podigee-cdn.net

trackleaders.com

www.ardmediathek.de

www.tagesschau.de

www.podcaster.de

tracker.theoceanrace.com

kuula.co

arkeaultimchallengebrest.geovoile.com

retouralabase.geovoile.com

minitransat.geovoile.com

transat-jacques-vabre.geovoile.com

theoceanrace.geovoile.com


        In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant.
        All relevant referral links are marked with <icon></icon>. <link>Learn more</link>.
    


        In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant.
        All relevant referral links are marked with <icon></icon>.
    

Most read in category {categoryTitle}

This summary was generated automatically.

Summary

Looking to buy or sell a boat? At Boat24, you're in the right place: private sellers and over 700 boat dealers provide a comprehensive range of used boats in all categories, manufacturers, and price ranges - for over 20 years. Good news for sellers: We operate without sales commissions.

Save filter

The Big Bike Search

Note: This text is a service for our readers and was automatically generated from the data in our bike database.

Verdict on the {brandName} {modelName} test

Verdict on the {modelName} test

Topics on this page

Measurements

Data and facts about the {brandName} {modelName}

Actions

I agree to display external content. This may involve the transmission of personal data to third-party platforms. Learn more in our

At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.

Filter

Login required

Save for later?

Rate this article?

 | YACHT 

My Premium Guides

My Account

Pro cycling calendar {year}

{title} - Live updates on the race status

{liveticker} {stageName} - {raceName} {year}

To rank the riders, we use results from World Tour races from last year and the current year. The score is updated once a week and is calculated from the sum of wins in one-day races, time trials, stage wins and overall victories.

Saved articles

Search

Just discovered at {portalName}: {articleTitle} {shareUrl}

Many users prefer commenting under a pseudonym. Currently the name from your account is shown. You can change it directly now.

Sailing law: All regulations and sailing rules at a glance

EU goods status for recreational craft
Official proof is now available

Mobile phone use whilst driving
Young motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost ships
What sailors are actually allowed to keep

New podcast episode
VAT, EU goods, customs checks: What yacht owners need to know about their yacht’s status – with Benyamin Tanis

EU goods status for recreational craft
Yachting lawyer offers a solution

Protection of the Baltic Sea
Those who plant seagrass should pay – federal authority halts volunteers’ efforts

Law
Court ruling sets standards for mooring yachts

Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan
Interview on planned navigation rules

VAT
Questions and answers on the new EU guidelines

Yacht law
How is the legal relationship between crew and owner regulated?

Proof of VAT
EU publishes guidelines for recreational craft

Fines
Watch out with alcohol - the drink-drive limit on the water

Sailing law: All regulations and sailing rules at a glance

EU goods status for recreational craftOfficial proof is now available

Mobile phone use whilst drivingYoung motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost shipsWhat sailors are actually allowed to keep

New podcast episodeVAT, EU goods, customs checks: What yacht owners need to know about their yacht’s status – with Benyamin Tanis

EU goods status for recreational craftYachting lawyer offers a solution

Protection of the Baltic SeaThose who plant seagrass should pay – federal authority halts volunteers’ efforts

LawCourt ruling sets standards for mooring yachts

Baltic Sea Protection Action PlanInterview on planned navigation rules

VATQuestions and answers on the new EU guidelines

Yacht lawHow is the legal relationship between crew and owner regulated?

Proof of VATEU publishes guidelines for recreational craft

FinesWatch out with alcohol - the drink-drive limit on the water

EU goods status for recreational craft
Official proof is now available

Mobile phone use whilst driving
Young motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost ships
What sailors are actually allowed to keep

New podcast episode
VAT, EU goods, customs checks: What yacht owners need to know about their yacht’s status – with Benyamin Tanis

EU goods status for recreational craft
Yachting lawyer offers a solution

Protection of the Baltic Sea
Those who plant seagrass should pay – federal authority halts volunteers’ efforts

Law
Court ruling sets standards for mooring yachts

Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan
Interview on planned navigation rules

VAT
Questions and answers on the new EU guidelines

Yacht law
How is the legal relationship between crew and owner regulated?

Proof of VAT
EU publishes guidelines for recreational craft

Fines
Watch out with alcohol - the drink-drive limit on the water