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Proof of US Duty Paid?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by KenScituate, Sep 30, 2019.

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  1. KenScituate, Sep 30, 2019
    #1
    KenScituate

    KenScituate New Member

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    Feb 19, 2017
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    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    I'm in the process of buy a new boat. As part of the deal the dealer will take my 18 year old 48' Riviera power boat in trade. The trade is documented in the US and has a chain of continuous documentation of one owner or another back to the builder's certificate. The Riviera was built in Australia. The independent title search people for the dealer say they need the original receipt for the duty paid to US customs 18 years ago. This boat has had 4 or 5 different owners and I never received any original receipt for the 1.5% tax or whatever it was at the time. They want to charge me the 1.5% now. I have never heard of this before. Is there any way to check if this tax was paid?
  2. Pascal, Sep 30, 2019
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Get a second opinion from another documentation agent or a maritime attorney. If the boat was previously documented they shouldn’t need the original proof of paid duty

    The only time it s needed is if the duty was paid but then the boat was foreign flagged. Then you need proof duty was paid to re import it. Has this happen a few years back. But in your case it shouldn’t be needed
  3. Capt J, Sep 30, 2019
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If the boat is/was USCG documented, I am pretty sure the duty was paid. I believe it has to be paid in order to be US registered.
  4. JWY, Oct 1, 2019
    #4
    JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    This is a fairly common problem. Call Steele Reeder at Howard Reeder and Assoc. in Miami. Worst case is you will pay duty on the current market value which is your contract price. If you can get away with current market value without a contract, I know of a valuation surveyor who is cheap and he gives boats his lowest value, thus making the 1.5% as painless as possible.