1. Why do vessel owners have to regulate tax and
customs status of vessels in the procedure of
temporary admission to Croatia?
As of 1 July 2013, Croatia is going to join the EU and is going
to become a part of the EU Customs Union. As of that
date, the EU residents – owners of vessels registered in the
EU which have been temporarily admitted to Croatia and
have lost the customs status of Community goods, or vessels
registered in third countries temporarily imported by EU
residents, according to the EU customs legislation, shall fi le a
customs declaration for putting the vessels into free circulation,
and pay the customs duties and VAT.
2. Under what conditions can vessel owners regulate
their tax and customs obligations in Croatia?
In the period from 1 January 2013 to 31 May 2013, when putting
vessels temporarily admitted to Croatia into free circulation,
VAT shall be calculated at the rate of 5%. In order for a vessel
to be put into free circulation in Croatia, it has to be entered
in Croatian registers and placed under Croatian fl ag. All the
vessels for which the customs duty was paid in Croatia before
Croatia joined the EU, shall acquire the status of Community
goods (EU goods) as of the date of Croatia’s accession to the EU.
3. What is the procedure prescribed for importation of
vessels into Croatia?
All the vessels have to undergo the import clearance procedure
and be entered into Croatian registers. The vessels
up to 12 m in length shall be entered in the Register
of Boats kept with Harbour Master’s Offi ces and shall be
inspected by employees of Harbour Master’s Offi ces or
their branch offi ces, whereas the vessels exceeding 12 m
in length shall be entered in the Register of Yachts kept
with Harbour Master’s Offi ces and shall be inspected by
employees of the Croatian Register of Shipping.
4. Who are potential benefit ciaries of the rate of VAT of 5%?
Legal entities and/or natural persons, owners of recreational
craft intended for sports and leisure undergoing the
procedure of temporary admission to Croatia which do
not have the customs status of Community goods.
5. What if I do not regulate the customs and tax status
in Croatia?
As Croatia joins the EU, the owners of such vessels will
have to regulate the customs and tax status of the vessels
in one of the EU member states
6. At what rate will VAT be charged for such vessels
from 1 June 2013?
As of the above stated date, when putting vessels into free
circulation in Croatia, the full rate of VAT will be charged,
which currently amounts to 25%.