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Siaton Customs/BIR harassing Foreign Yachts in Port Bonbonon

Discussion in 'Surrounding Areas' started by Pelagic, Nov 5, 2020.

  1. Pelagic

    Pelagic DI New Member

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    Can anyone with local knowledge in Tambobo Bay, advise me as to why all the Foreign Registered Yachts moored there are being given a “Show Cause” notice as to why they should not pay import tax on their boats?

    The Philippine Coast Guard/ MARINA department does not issue any cruising permits with length of stay allowed, does not have any record of enforcing limits on visiting yachts… Only Immigration Visas.

    So yachts with valid foreign registration have had no guidance for many years on length of stay…. and with the borders now closed, no option to leave.

    Our plan in 2021 was to relocate our shore home from Subic to Dumaguete area, bring our foreign registered sailboat to Tambobo, while borders are still closed, before heading to N.E. Indonesia.

    Since this is not happening anywhere else but Bonbonon, is this a local fight or form of intimidation??

    Thanks for any info.
     
  2. SkipJack

    SkipJack DI Senior Member

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    I don't know.
    I do not have any first hand information.

    I do not believe that it is local to Bonbonon only. There is a reference on Noonsite stating that Cebu and Dumaguete are the most strict in implementing the new rule.

    You would probably be better off posting on Noonsite, CruisersForum or one of the other cruising boat websites.

    From Noonsite below, proof of foreign registration may be sufficient.

    Arriving by Yacht:

    There is no specific rule on length of stay at this time, however, a yacht that has been in the country for more than three years may be subject to question.

    In 2019 the MARINA department of the Philippine Government finally accepted that Pleasure Craft were different from Commercial Vessels and issued guidelines for registration of such in the Philippines. The new regulations cover everything from a kayak or tender to a super-yacht. There is currently an amnesty that allows pleasure craft owners to register without penalty. So if your boat has been in the country for some years and its foreign registry has lapsed then now is the time to get it registered.

    The Philippine Coast Guard in Cebu and Dumaguete are the most strict in implementing the new rule. Make sure your yacht is registered somewhere.


    https://www.noonsite.com/place/philippines/formalities/
     
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  3. Happy Camper

    Happy Camper DI Senior Member Restricted Account Infamous Showcase Reviewer

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    Friend of mine told me about this. He opined that they are looking at it as if you were importing a vehicle, the Customs tax needs to be paid. He said in this case, the ability to avoid the Customs Tax is tied to the Visa stay, meaning as a regular visitor with no import privileges must leave the country every so often, so must the vessel.

    Personally, we both believe it has to do with a reduction in tax collections due to lock downs and tourist restrictions.
     
  4. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    In other words, they are finding ways to deter tourists!
     
  5. SkipJack

    SkipJack DI Senior Member

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    I don't know.
    What you describe is the way most countries handle yachts. There is usually an import waiver given if the vessel leaves in a certain period of time. 12 months (Australia + extensions) - 10 years (Mexico).

    The challenge here in the Philippines is that the rules have not been published. For now I think that if you are not a resident and prove the vessel is registered somewhere else then you do not have to import it.
     
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  6. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    I don't think what they are doing is unreasonable. Are tourists allowed to bring an RV into the country indefinitely without paying customs or registering it locally? Obviously that would be much more difficult that sailing in on a boat but what would be the difference?
     
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  7. Happy Camper

    Happy Camper DI Senior Member Restricted Account Infamous Showcase Reviewer

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    Not exactly, tourists are temporary visitors, not permanent residents. If you sail into the country with your home, and then stay here for years on end, I am not seeing the 'temporary' part of it.
     
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  8. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    Agree - I thought these were people sailing from country to country but staying here now due to travel restrictions. So, yes, tax them 200%! :smile:
     
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  9. Philpots

    Philpots DI Senior Member Restricted Account

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    hmmmm. I have a friend who is trying to register a speedboat but so far without success. It seems that the Marina authority are saying he must get a builders certificate for a 20 year old boat when he cant even find the company who built the boat any more somewhere in Manila I understand. And the regulation for second hand boats does nor mention this certificate. Only for a new boat, not an unregistered second hand boat Any one got any ideas on this?
     
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  10. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    It might be one of those things that is supposed to be passed to the new owner, like customs/duty forms for imported vehicles, when the purchase was made. Did he buy it from the original owner? Seems like something one should hold on to.
     
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