From Irene &
John - Moet Chandon:
Hi
Everyone
I
received the following e-mail from my friend Sheila we moor together in
Carcassonne - (she was a solicitor ). I thought you should be aware of her
experience if possible pass this on to friends with boats.
Thanks hope you are well and enjoying cruising and life.
Love Irene
Dear All -
Last week, (23 July) whilst in
Aigues Mortes on "Chatelaine", I was approached by 3 guys
declaring themselves to be Customs officers (Douane). They were dressed
casually in shorts and T-shirts, but flashed an official looking I.D.
They demanded to see my boat registration, boat insurance and passport. Then
followed various questions -
- how long has the boat been in France?
- how long had I been in
France?
- did I live on it?
- Was the boat new or
secondhand?
- where was it
berthed?
- where was my home address in
UK?
I sort of avoided direct
answers.......
They then informed me that I
was liable to pay a French annual tax on my boat (DAFN - more on that
later.....), and in my case that would be 1000 euros per year. I have
to stress they did not directly ask me for the money.
I told them they looked like
tourists, that my boat was SSR registered, and that I would not pay
this tax.
They went into a huddle, came back
to the boat and told me that the next visit I got from Customs, I
should tell them I lived in UK.
They also visited a neighbouring
French boat - the owner being convinced they were genuine!
I was not convinced, and contacted
the harbour master. He immediately smelt a rat, and contacted the Douanes
at Grand Motte, who confirmed no-one from their office had visited!
Needless to say, 3 days I got
another 3 guys, dressed from top to toe in uniform, declaring themselves to be
the "true" Douanes!. They were very nice, and took great steps to show me
their official I.D. and let me examine it at close quarters. Yes - they checked
my papers, and asked for an UK address, and confirmation that I paid my
taxes in UK. However, their prime objective was to find out more
information about these IMPOSTERS! This is the first time it has happened
to their knowledge, and they were most concerned. It is a criminal offence
to impersonate a Customs officer - plus indirectly demand
money. Anyone being approached, should call the Police, and ask
that the Douanes at Grand Motte be informed.
For your information - 3 guys -
one about 5' 9", blond short hair, slim, speaking quite good English. He
carried a notebook and pen, and flashed a plain black folding wallet with some
sort of I.D. in it, with an official badge on the left hand side.
The other two (who took no part in the conversation), were guys in their
mid 40's - typical French - dark short hair, short and stocky. All were
casually dressed in shorts and T-shirts and all carried backpacks.
This Tax - called DAFN (droit
annuelle de franchisation et de navigation) actually exists!
French residents have to pay it on
boats over 7 metres who have a engine over 22 hp - there is a sliding scale -
upward!. The 'real' Douanes confirmed this, and commented that these
imposters were quite clued up on this DAFN. If you are told you
are liable for this tax, it will ALWAYS be accompanied by the official
paperwork, and sent to you by post. - it is NEVER demanded at the
Port.
This DAFN tax applies to
French residents AND EU persons, resident in France. This is
interpreted as anyone having a house here, paying taxes here, OR being on a boat
more than 6 months continuously!
The answer - always give a UK/home
country address as your home address, pay your taxes in your home country -and
tell them you only spend 5 months of the year on the boat!
They gave me the impression that
they do not pursue boaters spending the Summer here, and leaving the boat in
France for the winter.
P.S. the Douanes knew that my
boat had been in Carcassonne last Winter!
Please pass this info
on!
Sheila
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