Awesome Yacht by Charterminute © 2024.
Boat Sales & Purchase FAQs
Understanding boat transactions is crucial. This FAQ answers common queries about sales, french paperwork, and inspections.
A new boat will offer (or should offer) factory warranties and allows you to select from a range of options such as a hi-lo swim platform or stabilisers. However, secondhand boats can provide a larger boat for your dollar, and many early problems may have been resolved by previous owners. Our two cents: for new yacht owners, we generally do not recommend buying a used boat that needs a full refit. It can be more complicated and expensive than expected.
Boat ownership costs vary significantly. Expect annual expenses between 18-10% of the boat’s value, covering maintenance, insurance, and storage. Older boats often demand higher maintenance. Fuel, dockage, and unexpected repairs add to the expense. You can partially offset these costs by chartering your boat, provided you comply with all applicable national regulations and licensing requirements.
In France, to be registered, a ship or a PWC (Personal Watercraft, like a jet ski or wave runner) must be owned at least 50% by a national of a country in the European Union.
We highly recommend a pre-purchase boat survey. It uncovers hidden damages, potential safety concerns and confirm the boat’s condition, ensuring your investment and avoiding expensive repairs down the road.
Following the survey, the buyer may negotiate based on revealed defects. You can choose to negotiate, but if an agreement isn’t reached, the sale is void, and the deposit is returned, minus any outstanding survey costs
All costs relating to the survey and haul-out of the boat are for the purchaser.
However, the yacht is sea trialed at the expenses of the owner and under his insurance and control.
In the event of an unsatisfactory sea trial or survey, the contractual terms will determine the subsequent actions, potentially involving a deposit refund.
The seller typically pays the yacht broker’s fee, 5-7.5% of the boat price, excluding VAT.
International maritime licenses for recreational boating do not exist. The French license is recognized abroad within the limits of its prerogatives.
French boating license rules are enforced even in foreign waters on boats flying the French flag.
No qualification required to use a handheld VHF radio (max. 6 W output) without DSC (Digital Selective Calling).
Yes, all boat owners in France pay an annual tax (Taxe Annuelle sur les Engins Maritimes à Usage Personnel or TAEMUP, previously DAFN orDAP) on personal maritime vessels.
More information here.
Yes, you owe the entire year’s tax. Once your boat is registered in your name on January 1st of the year you will owe the full amount (it does not matter whether you sell or deregister your boat in that same year). There are no refunds or pro-rata reductions.
There are formalities to go through when buying any private boat in France — the process is slightly different if you are buying a second-hand or new boat, an inland or a maritime one.
Here are the key Formalities:
The French registration: The boats are to be registered in France. This is crucial for being identified(especially in cases of theft or distress). Pleasure vessels from 2 to 24 metres in length must be registered. Registration is simply about getting a “titre de navigation”.
Francisation: Once a separate process, now it’s just part of the registration process. This policy applies to the vessels leaving to foreign or international waters and vessels longer than 7-meter. It also applies to boats with engines above a certainpower.
Documentation: Important documents include:
Details of Sale(invoice or bill of sale)
CE Certificate:Declaration of conformity ” (DEC)
User manual
Identification documents.
Proof of address.
If it is a secondhand vessel, the previous reg. documents. The boat ownership and existing mortgages on the vessel should strongly be checked when purchasing a used vessel.
Operating Licenses: A valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card is necessary for motorized pleasure craft with 6 horsepower motors or more.
Customs and VAT: if the boat was not purchased in France – French VAT and customs duties apply. The VAT rate in France is 20%. Insurance:
Liability insurance for boats is a must.
The requirement for a license depends on the vessel’s flag and the intended navigation area.
In France you need a license to drive a motorboat with an engine exceeding 4.5kW (6 HP). That also gives you the right to use a VHF in French territorial waters.
No need of license for sailboat sailing in French maritime waters
Chartering a private boat in France comes with a few rules.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Regulations Exist: Commercial chartering of vessels in France is subject to regulations. That means if you want to regularly charter your boat for profit, you’ll have to abide by certain rules and acquire the required permissions as well as a French VAT number and a skilled professional skipper.
Commercial yacht registration is required.
Occasional vs. Commercial: If you are talking to people from time to time about sharing your boat or even renting it out, it sometimes has fewer requirements than starting an entire charter company. But even sporadic charters may come under insurance and safety regulations.
Insurance: You will probably need specialized insurance to cover chartering activities. Licensing and Permits: Depending on how large and what type of boat you have, and what destination you’re chartering to you may need specific licenses or permits (Captain 200 or more required).
Recommendation: Make sure to clarify with local maritime authorities, or a maritime lawyer in France, for full compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
Check out our French Riviera charter website.
French Riviera yacht brokerage services since 2011, with administrative offices in Antibes and Cannes. We are members of ECPY and subscribers to e-MYBA. Read our 5 star client reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.