The Cruising Association is in the middle of negotiations on the most important areas of Regulations on behalf of UK yachts in Greece, those being theTransit Log, acceptance of VAT Paid Status and the 90 in 180 day rule. It is hoped there will be an announcement on these regulations before the end of February. Here Christopher Robb gives some sound advice about the Greek Transit Log for UK skipppers.

Published 3 years ago

TRANSIT LOG

Do not get your Transit Log yet – not until you have read this. And then only if you get the right one.

If you are VAT Paid, you must make sure you are issued with an Undated (Unlimited) Transit Log which recognizes your yacht’s right to Free Movement throughout the EU.

The relevant Customs FAQ page is at – https://portal.gsis.gr/portal/page/portal/ICISnet/faq
The relevant part is Section 2 to 3.

Unlimited Transit Log (UTL):

On entering the country, after Customs clearance – and provided that the boat continues to bear a flag of a non-EU country – in order to sail within the Greek territorial waters the yacht will be provided with a Transit Log of indefinite duration. This is known to us as an Unlimited Transit Log (UTL).

Very few have been issued, so most ports have no idea it exists.

It is vital that you get this type of Transit Log as it confirms the Greek view that your yacht has been accepted as VAT Paid.

You may need to prove that you were in Greece on 31st December 2020 – with a letter from your Marina.

No rush:

So hold back from rushing headlong to complying with your Port Customs requests to get one. Leros is insisting that you must – I have warned the marinas to hold fire.

Since mid-January a working group in the AADE and other departments has been formed, following reports from the CA on the Transit log and expected problems, VAT implications for the future – going to Turkey and back and 90 in 180 days Visa.

This is on-going having started late due to the delay of the Brexit Agreement. Sources within the AADE say there are some significant announcements coming out soon.

Cruising Association:

For boat owners in Europe who are not members of the CA, this is the kind of campaigning the Club does – and has been very successful with getting changes in the law and improving the implantation of laws. For example Dekpa (we got it scrapped) and the Cruising Tax – we worked with them to make sure it was not a nightmare (it was impossible to prevent it).

Chris Robb
Cruising Association
https://www.theca.org.uk/

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.