Marshall Islands vs United Kingdom for yachts
Everything we track for both registers, side by side. Rows neither register has published show a gap rather than an estimate.
Is the Marshall Islands or the United Kingdom cheaper for yacht registration?Link to this section
The registration fee is the entry charge the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator sets in its Marine Notice on consolidated yacht fees and the UK Ship Register sets as a flat fee in the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations. The Marshall Islands bill recurring service charges; the UK charges only a periodic renewal. WhichFlagToFly dates the Marshall Islands and UK fee rows.
| Register | Initial registration fee | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Islands | Registration runs US$550 for private yachts under 24 m and US$1,500 to US$1,800 for larger and commercial yachts.RMI Marine Notice 1-005-2, Consolidated Fees for Official Yacht Documents and Services, Rev. Jul/2025, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §1.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Effective 2025-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Recurring charges include a US$1,000 yacht service fee and a US$250 security fee; private yachts pay neither.RMI Marine Notice 1-005-2, Consolidated Fees for Official Yacht Documents and Services, Rev. Jul/2025, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §12.2, fee columnRetrieved 2026-09-12Effective 2025-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| United Kingdom | Registration is a flat £153 for five years, or £35 on the Small Ships Register.The Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1104), Schedule 1 Part 8 (Registration, Transfer and Mortgage of Ships (other than Fishing Vessels) and Related Matters), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.ukwww.legislation.gov.uk · Schedule 1, Part 8, Table of fees, items 1 and 16Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2018-11-13Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | No annual fee; renewal costs £72 every five years.The Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1104), Schedule 1 Part 8 (Registration, Transfer and Mortgage of Ships (other than Fishing Vessels) and Related Matters), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.ukwww.legislation.gov.uk · Schedule 1, Part 8, Table of fees, item 3Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2018-11-13Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
Which flag is better for EU chartering, the Marshall Islands or the United Kingdom?Link to this section
Charter permission is what a flag lets a yacht do for reward, and the EU maritime cabotage Regulation covers neither. The Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator offers Yacht Engaged in Trade status under its Marine Guideline, capped in charter days. The UK draws the line by use under the Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure Regulations. See the charter rows.
| Register | Charter permissions | Private and commercial regimes |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Islands | A private yacht of 24 m or more may charter up to 84 days a year under Yacht Engaged in Trade status, where coastal states allow.RMI Marine Guideline 1-11-2, Yacht Engaged in Trade, Mar/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · PurposeRetrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Five yacht regimes exist: private, commercial, private yacht limited charter, yacht engaged in trade, and passenger yacht.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. I, DefinitionsRetrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2026-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| United Kingdom | Each coastal state sets its own charter rules; the UK flag lost EU cabotage access after Brexit, and US coastwise trade is closed.Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage) - EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu · Art. 1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | There is no separate commercial register: commercial use triggers the yacht codes, and both regimes register on Part 1.The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1195), regulation 3, latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 3(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2025-12-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
How does VAT differ between the Marshall Islands and the United Kingdom?Link to this section
Import VAT is the tax charged on a yacht entering a VAT territory. The Marshall Islands levy none, having enacted a Consumption Tax Act that reaches imports from a future date. The United Kingdom charges VAT under the Value Added Tax Act on customs value plus duties and incidentals. See the VAT rows.
| Register | VAT rate | Basis for VAT on import |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Islands | There is no VAT; a 12% consumption tax applies to supplies and imports from 1 October 2026.Consumption Tax Act 2025, 48 MIRC Chapter 9 (P.L. 2025-47), commencement 7 October 2025, Nitijela of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as published at rmiparliament.orgrmiparliament.org · §959(2)Retrieved 2026-08-18Effective 2026-10-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | In the Marshall Islands the importer pays consumption tax on customs value plus insurance, freight and duties; EU import VAT is built the same way.Consumption Tax Act 2025, 48 MIRC Chapter 9 (P.L. 2025-47), commencement 7 October 2025, Nitijela of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as published at rmiparliament.orgrmiparliament.org · §908(3)Retrieved 2026-08-18Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| United Kingdom | VAT is 20 percent on yacht sales, imports and charter, with no reduced rate.Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · s. 2(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Import VAT is 20 percent on customs value plus duties, transport and insurance to the first UK destination.Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · s. 21(1)–(2)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
Which register is faster, the Marshall Islands or the United Kingdom?Link to this section
Provisional registration is short-term entry before the permanent certificate. The Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator issues a Provisional Certificate of Registry under the Maritime Act with a published turnaround. The UK Ship Register grants it only to a ship outside the British Islands and publishes no turnaround for full registration. Compare the timeline rows.
| Register | Provisional registration | Time to full registration |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Islands | A Provisional Certificate of Registry runs 12 months; a newbuilding may instead hold a Construction Certificate.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §10.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A provisional certificate can issue in one business day, and the permanent one follows inside its 12 months once class and insurance are in place.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §10.5.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| United Kingdom | Provisional registration lasts three months, costs £175, and requires the ship to be outside the British Islands.The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/3138), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 67Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | No statutory deadline or published turnaround; provisional cover lasts three months.Pleasure Vessel New Registration (Part 1) - UK Ship Register (Maritime and Coastguard Agency)ukshipregister.co.ukRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
How should an owner choose between the Marshall Islands and the United Kingdom?Link to this section
The Marshall Islands or the United Kingdom starts from the owner's plan: whether the yacht will be imported into a VAT territory at all, whether charter is intended, and which lender or structure stands behind her. A specialist can read both registries against those answers.
At a glance
The dimensions owners decide on, taken from the rows below. Follow a label to the row it came from and its source.
| Dimension | Marshall Islands | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Red Ensign Group | No | Yes |
Line by line
| Item | MHMarshall IslandsMarshall Islands Maritime Registry | GBUnited KingdomUK Ship Register |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | ||
| Who may own a registered vessel | Ownership is limited to RMI citizens, nationals and qualified foreign maritime entities, and every beneficial owner holding 25% or more is vetted.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §8.1.1Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Part 1 accepts non-resident qualified owners and companies via a representative person; a non-settled EU national needs a UK or EEA company; Part 3 requires UK residence.The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/3138), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 7(1)Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Which vessels qualify | Vessels must be no more than 20 years old at registration unless the Administrator grants an age waiver.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §§3.1.1, 3.2.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Part 1 is open on vessel type, from pleasure craft to large yachts; Part 3 is only for ships under 24 meters.Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c. 21) - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · s. 9(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Private and commercial regimes | Five yacht regimes exist: private, commercial, private yacht limited charter, yacht engaged in trade, and passenger yacht.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. I, DefinitionsRetrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2026-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | There is no separate commercial register: commercial use triggers the yacht codes, and both regimes register on Part 1.The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1195), regulation 3, latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 3(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2025-12-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Initial registration fee | Registration runs US$550 for private yachts under 24 m and US$1,500 to US$1,800 for larger and commercial yachts.RMI Marine Notice 1-005-2, Consolidated Fees for Official Yacht Documents and Services, Rev. Jul/2025, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §1.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Effective 2025-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Registration is a flat £153 for five years, or £35 on the Small Ships Register.The Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1104), Schedule 1 Part 8 (Registration, Transfer and Mortgage of Ships (other than Fishing Vessels) and Related Matters), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.ukwww.legislation.gov.uk · Schedule 1, Part 8, Table of fees, items 1 and 16Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2018-11-13Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Annual fee | Recurring charges include a US$1,000 yacht service fee and a US$250 security fee; private yachts pay neither.RMI Marine Notice 1-005-2, Consolidated Fees for Official Yacht Documents and Services, Rev. Jul/2025, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §12.2, fee columnRetrieved 2026-09-12Effective 2025-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | No annual fee; renewal costs £72 every five years.The Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1104), Schedule 1 Part 8 (Registration, Transfer and Mortgage of Ships (other than Fishing Vessels) and Related Matters), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.ukwww.legislation.gov.uk · Schedule 1, Part 8, Table of fees, item 3Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2018-11-13Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Tonnage dues | Annual tonnage tax runs US$750 to US$1,250, banded by yacht category and gross tonnage.RMI Marine Notice 1-005-2, Consolidated Fees for Official Yacht Documents and Services, Rev. Jul/2025, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §1.2Retrieved 2026-08-12Effective 2025-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A pleasure yacht of less than 20 tons pays no light dues; at 20 tons and over it is £77 a year, or £26 a month up to that cap.The Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/278), regulation 4, latest available revised text as amended by S.I. 2025/369 and S.I. 2026/234 - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 4(7)Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-04-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Provisional registration | A Provisional Certificate of Registry runs 12 months; a newbuilding may instead hold a Construction Certificate.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §10.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Provisional registration lasts three months, costs £175, and requires the ship to be outside the British Islands.The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/3138), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 67Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Time to full registration | A provisional certificate can issue in one business day, and the permanent one follows inside its 12 months once class and insurance are in place.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §10.5.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | No statutory deadline or published turnaround; provisional cover lasts three months.Pleasure Vessel New Registration (Part 1) - UK Ship Register (Maritime and Coastguard Agency)ukshipregister.co.ukRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Mortgage registration | Preferred ship mortgages recorded through any Regional Office rank ahead of all claims except tort, crew wages, general average, salvage and court costs.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §18.0Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Mortgages rank by registration order on Part 1, from £101; Part 3 supports none.Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c. 21) - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · Schedule 1, paras 7(1) and 8(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Survey requirements | Pre-registration inspection depends on length, tonnage and class; every private yacht over 20 years old must be inspected.RMI Marine Notice 2-011-55, Surveys and Certificates for Private Yachts, Rev. Mar/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §4.0Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A pre-registration tonnage survey is required; commercial use adds code certification.The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/3138), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 29(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| MCA code equivalents | The RMI applies its own Yacht Code, submitted to the IMO as an equivalent arrangement, not a UK code.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. I §1.7Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The UK wrote the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code rather than adopting another flag's.The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1195), regulation 3, latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 3(1)Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-12-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Charter permissions | A private yacht of 24 m or more may charter up to 84 days a year under Yacht Engaged in Trade status, where coastal states allow.RMI Marine Guideline 1-11-2, Yacht Engaged in Trade, Mar/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · PurposeRetrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Each coastal state sets its own charter rules; the UK flag lost EU cabotage access after Brexit, and US coastwise trade is closed.Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage) - EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu · Art. 1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew certification requirements | Yachts of 80 GT and over need a Minimum Safe Manning Certificate, and all need certified crew; private yachts are exempt unless chartering or 3,000 GT or more from 1 September 2024.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. II §1.8Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | STCW certification applies to UK-registered ships, excluding pleasure vessels under 80 GT or 24 meters.The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1342), regulation 5, latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 5(1)–(2)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Maritime Labour Convention applicability | Chartering yachts of any tonnage must meet MLC 2006, and carry a Maritime Labour Certificate from 500 GT; private yachts sit outside it.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. II §1.13.1-1.13.2Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The MLC covers commercially used UK yachts and excludes pleasure vessels outright.The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Minimum Requirements for Seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1613), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.ukwww.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 3(5)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Paris MoU standing | The Marshall Islands flag is on the Paris MoU White List, ranked 21 of 69, with 5,166 inspections and 167 detentions.Performance Lists, Paris MoU Annual Report 2025 (published 1 July 2026), Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Controlparismou.orgRetrieved 2026-08-18Effective 2026-07-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The UK flag is on the Paris MoU White List, ranked 24, with 696 inspections and 19 detentions across 2023 to 2025.Performance Lists, Paris MoU 2025 Annual Report (published 1 July 2026) - Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Controlparismou.org · Flag Performance – White List, rank 24Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Documents required | A private-use declaration, registration application, insurance, class certificates and proof of ownership are due by registration day.MI-242PY, Requirements for Private Yacht Registration 24m and more (Classed and Unclassed Yachts), Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Application/Documentation/RequirementsRetrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Expect a five-year bill-of-sale title chain, a declaration of eligibility and a tonnage certificate under 12 months old.The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/3138), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 28(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Renewal cycle | The permanent certificate never expires; only the annual tonnage tax and yearly service fees recur.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §10.5.5Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Registration runs five years on both Parts; renewal costs £72 on Part 1 and £35 on Part 3.The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/3138), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 39Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Deregistration process | Deletion follows sale or scrapping, once all tonnage taxes, Marshall Islands International Participation (MIIP) fees and Marine Services fees are paid.MI-100, Vessel Registration and Instrument Recording, May/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §17.0Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The Registrar closes registration on the owner's application or on loss of eligibility, issuing a closure transcript.The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/3138), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 56(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Register size | The RMI register carries 1,440 yachts, up from 1,366 two months earlier, inside a total fleet of 6,652 vessels and 221,369,700 gross tons.Fleet Statistics and Port State Control, A4 flyer, August 2026, reporting the fleet through 31 July 2026, The Marshall Islands Registry, published by International Registries, Inc. in affiliation with the Marshall Islands Maritime and Corporate Administratorswww.register-iri.com · Fleet Types tableRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-07-31Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | 13,901 Part 1 pleasure vessels and 33,674 small vessels, alongside 1,041 commercial vessels of 100 gross tonnes and over.Maritime and Coastguard Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2025 to 2026, page 40 ('UK Ship Register & The Red Ensign Group'), published 15 July 2026 - GOV.UKassets.publishing.service.gov.uk · UK Ship Register & The Red Ensign GroupRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-03-31Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Red Ensign Group membership | Not a member of the Red Ensign Group, whose published membership is the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the UK Overseas Territories that operate shipping registers.Red Ensign Group, 'Who we are' (About the Red Ensign Group), redensigngroup.orgwww.redensigngroup.org · Who we are, membership paragraph and both category listsRetrieved 2026-09-09Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Member of the Red Ensign Group, on its Category 1 list, which takes ships of unlimited tonnage and type.Red Ensign Group, 'Who we are' (About the Red Ensign Group), redensigngroup.orgwww.redensigngroup.org · Who we are, Category 1Retrieved 2026-09-09Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| VAT & importation | ||
| VAT rate | There is no VAT; a 12% consumption tax applies to supplies and imports from 1 October 2026.Consumption Tax Act 2025, 48 MIRC Chapter 9 (P.L. 2025-47), commencement 7 October 2025, Nitijela of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as published at rmiparliament.orgrmiparliament.org · §959(2)Retrieved 2026-08-18Effective 2026-10-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | VAT is 20 percent on yacht sales, imports and charter, with no reduced rate.Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · s. 2(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Basis for VAT on import | In the Marshall Islands the importer pays consumption tax on customs value plus insurance, freight and duties; EU import VAT is built the same way.Consumption Tax Act 2025, 48 MIRC Chapter 9 (P.L. 2025-47), commencement 7 October 2025, Nitijela of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as published at rmiparliament.orgrmiparliament.org · §908(3)Retrieved 2026-08-18Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Import VAT is 20 percent on customs value plus duties, transport and insurance to the first UK destination.Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · s. 21(1)–(2)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Temporary admission rules | Non-EU owned yachts may enter EU waters under Temporary Admission for up to 18 months.RMI Marine Guideline 1-11-2, Yacht Engaged in Trade, Mar/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §2.3.1(b)Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Temporary admission runs up to 24 months in Great Britain and 18 months in Northern Ireland.Sailing a pleasure craft into the UK temporarily for private use - HM Revenue & Customs, GOV.UK (last updated 16 July 2025)www.gov.ukRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Leasing scheme status | The Marshall Islands has no yacht-leasing scheme, and no relief turns on how a vessel is owned or financed.Import Duties Act 1989, 48 MIRC Chapter 2 (P.L. 1989-49, as amended), Nitijela of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as published at rmiparliament.orgrmiparliament.org · §206(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The UK has no yacht-leasing scheme; hire is taxed where the boat is physically used.VATPOSS15100 - Use and enjoyment: Introduction - HM Revenue & Customs internal manual, GOV.UK (last updated 24 January 2022)www.gov.uk · VATPOSS15100Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Commercial exemption paths | The EU high-seas exemption is the route; the Marshall Islands grants no relief for importing a vessel.Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax, Articles 148 and 150, consolidated text of 1 January 2025 (02006L0112, EN, 01.01.2025, 029.001), EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu · Art. 148(a)Retrieved 2026-08-18Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Yachts never qualify for zero-rating because they are designed for pleasure, whatever their commercial use.Ships, trains, aircraft and associated services (VAT Notice 744C) - HM Revenue & Customs, GOV.UK (last updated 31 December 2020)www.gov.uk · §2.5Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Evidence of VAT-paid status | Chartering in the EU without Temporary Admission requires a VAT paid certificate, arranged through the Importer/Exporter.RMI Marine Guideline 1-11-2, Yacht Engaged in Trade, Mar/2024, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §2.3.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | No VAT-paid certificate exists; HMRC treats the original invoice or evidence of VAT paid at import as the proof.Sailing a pleasure craft within UK waters - HM Revenue & Customs, GOV.UK (last updated 29 December 2021)www.gov.ukRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Returned goods relief after Brexit | A boat regains Union status if re-imported within three years, unchanged, by the person who exported it.Guidance Note for Pleasure Craft, TAXUD.A.1.003/EC, 30 April 2026, European Commission, Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Uniontaxation-customs.ec.europa.eu · Q7Retrieved 2026-08-18Effective 2026-04-30Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Returned goods relief needs re-import within three years by the same owner; the Brexit easement expired 30 June 2022.Pay less import duty and VAT when re-importing goods to the UK and EU (Returned Goods Relief) - HM Revenue & Customs, GOV.UK (last updated 26 November 2024)www.gov.uk · Extended time limits for goods located in the EU on 31 December 2020Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Yacht management | ||
| Fee model | Management houses typically charge a fixed monthly retainer scaled to the yacht's size (market guidance puts it at roughly €1,500 to 15,000 or more a month by size) or a share of the operating budget, with charter management charged separately at typically 15 to 20 percent of charter revenue.breezeYachting.swiss - Professional Yacht Management Companies and Their Feeswww.breezeyachting.swissRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-10-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Management houses typically charge a fixed monthly retainer scaled to the yacht's size (market guidance puts it at roughly €1,500 to 15,000 or more a month by size) or a share of the operating budget, with charter management charged separately at typically 15 to 20 percent of charter revenue.breezeYachting.swiss - Professional Yacht Management Companies and Their Feeswww.breezeyachting.swissRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-10-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Fleet size under management | Established management houses typically run fleets of roughly a dozen to 80 yachts, with an industry average of about 24 under management.SuperyachtNews / The Superyacht Group - The Superyacht Management Reportwww.superyachtnews.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2017-06-12Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Established management houses typically run fleets of roughly a dozen to 80 yachts, with an industry average of about 24 under management.SuperyachtNews / The Superyacht Group - The Superyacht Management Reportwww.superyachtnews.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2017-06-12Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| ISM document of compliance holder | ISM applies to commercial yachts of 500 GT and up and to passenger yachts of any tonnage; the owner's chosen recognized organization (RO) issues the Document of Compliance (DOC) for the RMI.Marine Notice MN 2-011-13, International Safety Management (ISM) Code, Oct/2023, Maritime Administrator, Republic of the Marshall Islandswww.register-iri.com · Administrator’s ApplicationRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) keeps ISM audits in house and issues the UK Document of Compliance (DOC), delegating a DOC audit only by prior agreement and never for passenger fleets.MGN 708(M), Guidance on the Merchant Shipping International Safety Management Regulations, published 9 March 2026, Maritime and Coastguard Agency (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk · §2.1Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2026-03-31Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew payroll services | Crew payroll administration is a standard part of a full management mandate, normally run through a dedicated MLC-compliant crew employment company rather than the owning entity.Fraser - Yacht Management Serviceswww.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Crew payroll administration is a standard part of a full management mandate, normally run through a dedicated MLC-compliant crew employment company rather than the owning entity.Fraser - Yacht Management Serviceswww.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Jurisdictions served | Management houses routinely operate across multiple flag states, holding Documents of Compliance from several administrations rather than tying owners to one register.Fraser - Yacht Management Serviceswww.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Management houses routinely operate across multiple flag states, holding Documents of Compliance from several administrations rather than tying owners to one register.Fraser - Yacht Management Serviceswww.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Marine insurance | ||
| Wreck removal insurance | The Marshall Islands has ratified the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention and operates its compulsory wreck-removal insurance regime.Status of IMO Treaties, summary of status of conventions ('x-Status.xlsx'), as at 25 August 2026, International Maritime Organizationwwwcdn.imo.org · NAIROBI WRC 2007, section II (Contracting States), p. 572Retrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The UK is a party to the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention; compulsory wreck-removal insurance and a certificate apply to ships of 300 GT and over under Merchant Shipping Act 1995 s.255J.Merchant Shipping Act 1995, Part 9A, section 255J (wreck removal insurance), as inserted by the Wreck Removal Convention Act 2011, legislation.gov.uk; ratification from the IMO status of conventions file as at 25 August 2026www.legislation.gov.uk · s. 255J(1)–(2)Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Passenger liability regime | The Marshall Islands has ratified the 2002 Athens Protocol on passenger liability at sea and has denounced the 1974 Convention it replaced.Status of IMO Treaties, summary of status of conventions ('x-Status.xlsx'), as at 25 August 2026, International Maritime Organizationwwwcdn.imo.org · PAL PROT 2002, section II (Contracting States), p. 372Retrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The UK applies the 2002 Athens Protocol regime for passenger death and injury at sea, having denounced the 1974 Convention it replaced.Status of IMO Treaties, summary of status of conventions ('x-Status.xlsx'), as at 25 August 2026, International Maritime Organizationwwwcdn.imo.org · PAL PROT 2002, section II (Contracting States), p. 372Retrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew placement | ||
| Placement fee model | Crew agencies charge the yacht, not the crew member: typically about one month's gross salary for a permanent placement and 20 percent of earnings for temporary work.Northrop and Johnson Crew Services - Terms and Conditions (2023)cdn.northropandjohnson.com · FeesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Crew agencies charge the yacht, not the crew member: typically about one month's gross salary for a permanent placement and 20 percent of earnings for temporary work.Northrop and Johnson Crew Services - Terms and Conditions (2023)cdn.northropandjohnson.com · FeesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew pool coverage | On published figures, the main crew agencies each hold databases of roughly 40,000 to 50,000 registered candidates, so coverage is effectively global and differentiation is about screening, not database size.The Crew Network (Fraser) - Looking for Crewwww.crewnetwork.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | On published figures, the main crew agencies each hold databases of roughly 40,000 to 50,000 registered candidates, so coverage is effectively global and differentiation is about screening, not database size.The Crew Network (Fraser) - Looking for Crewwww.crewnetwork.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| MLC compliance support | Chartering yachts of any tonnage are MLC ships for the RMI; the Administrator issues the DMLC Part I and the owner picks who certifies.Marine Notice MN 2-011-33, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, Inspection and Certification Program, Jul/2024, Maritime Administrator, Republic of the Marshall Islandswww.register-iri.com · §ERetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The MCA inspects UK yachts for MLC and issues the DMLC Part I; even uncertificated yachts under 500 GT must submit a Part II for approval.A master's guide to the UK Flag, Large yacht edition, updated 8 March 2022, Maritime and Coastguard Agency (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk · §11.3.1Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Payroll administration offered | Crew agencies commonly offer payroll administration as an add-on to placement, usually bundled with MLC-compliant employment contracts, tax withholding and visas.Fraser - Yacht Crew Recruitment (The Crew Network)www.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Crew agencies commonly offer payroll administration as an add-on to placement, usually bundled with MLC-compliant employment contracts, tax withholding and visas.Fraser - Yacht Crew Recruitment (The Crew Network)www.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Notice and replacement terms | Agencies typically guarantee a free replacement if a permanent crew member leaves within 60 to 90 days, with the leading houses extending that to 180 days.Northrop and Johnson Crew Services - Terms and Conditions (2023)cdn.northropandjohnson.com · Replacement guaranteeRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Agencies typically guarantee a free replacement if a permanent crew member leaves within 60 to 90 days, with the leading houses extending that to 180 days.Northrop and Johnson Crew Services - Terms and Conditions (2023)cdn.northropandjohnson.com · Replacement guaranteeRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Refit & yard works | ||
| Yard network coverage | Refits are routed to a handful of established yard clusters in the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Turkey and the US, with the owner's team tendering the specification across several yards.Hill Robinson - Why Palma is still a leading hub for superyacht refit and maintenancehillrobinson.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-02-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Refits are routed to a handful of established yard clusters in the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Turkey and the US, with the owner's team tendering the specification across several yards.Hill Robinson - Why Palma is still a leading hub for superyacht refit and maintenancehillrobinson.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-02-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Project management model | The market standard is a dedicated owner's representative or project manager, independent of the yard, running the refit from specification through tender and on-site supervision to redelivery.Superyacht Partners - Yacht Refit Management Serviceswww.superyachtpartners.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The market standard is a dedicated owner's representative or project manager, independent of the yard, running the refit from specification through tender and on-site supervision to redelivery.Superyacht Partners - Yacht Refit Management Serviceswww.superyachtpartners.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Refit fee structure | As a market estimate, refit project management is charged as a percentage of contract value, about 4 to 8 percent on the one published example (€200,000 to 400,000 on a €5 million refit), or on a day rate for shorter jobs.The First Owner's Reference - Superyacht refit cost: when to refit, when to sellfirstownersreference.com · 06 RefitRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-05-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | As a market estimate, refit project management is charged as a percentage of contract value, about 4 to 8 percent on the one published example (€200,000 to 400,000 on a €5 million refit), or on a day rate for shorter jobs.The First Owner's Reference - Superyacht refit cost: when to refit, when to sellfirstownersreference.com · 06 RefitRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-05-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Survey oversight offered | Independent survey oversight during a refit is a standard offering, with milestone inspections tied to payment stages and a handover inspection at redelivery.Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) - Types of Surveywww.ydsa.co.uk · Supervision of Construction or RepairsRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Independent survey oversight during a refit is a standard offering, with milestone inspections tied to payment stages and a handover inspection at redelivery.Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) - Types of Surveywww.ydsa.co.uk · Supervision of Construction or RepairsRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Warranty handling | Refit yards typically warrant materials and workmanship for twelve months from redelivery, with outstanding items tracked on a snag list and a retention held until they are closed.Gard (P&I club) - Warranty claims in shipbuilding contractsgard.no · Recommendations and checklistsRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2015-03-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Refit yards typically warrant materials and workmanship for twelve months from redelivery, with outstanding items tracked on a snag list and a retention held until they are closed.Gard (P&I club) - Warranty claims in shipbuilding contractsgard.no · Recommendations and checklistsRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2015-03-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Pre-buy survey | ||
| Survey scope options | A pre-purchase survey is normally a full condition survey of hull, machinery and systems, with sea trial, haul-out, engine survey, rig, oil analysis and ultrasonic gauging as separately priced extras.Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) - Types of Surveywww.ydsa.co.ukRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A pre-purchase survey is normally a full condition survey of hull, machinery and systems, with sea trial, haul-out, engine survey, rig, oil analysis and ultrasonic gauging as separately priced extras.Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) - Types of Surveywww.ydsa.co.ukRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Survey fee structure | Surveyors typically charge per foot on smaller yachts (one published US rate card is US$28 to 30 per foot), moving to day rates or a fixed fee on superyachts, with haul-out, travel and lab testing billed separately.Boston Marine Surveyors - published rate cardbostonmarinesurveyors.com · RatesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Surveyors typically charge per foot on smaller yachts (one published US rate card is US$28 to 30 per foot), moving to day rates or a fixed fee on superyachts, with haul-out, travel and lab testing billed separately.Boston Marine Surveyors - published rate cardbostonmarinesurveyors.com · RatesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Time to survey report | Surveyors typically deliver the written report within three to five business days of the inspection, after a verbal debrief on the day.Capt. F.K. Lanier and Associates - Marine Survey FAQcaptfklanier.com · FAQ-7Retrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Surveyors typically deliver the written report within three to five business days of the inspection, after a verbal debrief on the day.Capt. F.K. Lanier and Associates - Marine Survey FAQcaptfklanier.com · FAQ-7Retrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Class records review | On large yachts a review of class records, survey status and flag certificates is standard scope alongside the physical survey.JMS Yachting - Superyacht Pre-Purchase Surveywww.jmsyachting.com · Onboard documentation auditRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-09-03Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | On large yachts a review of class records, survey status and flag certificates is standard scope alongside the physical survey.JMS Yachting - Superyacht Pre-Purchase Surveywww.jmsyachting.com · Onboard documentation auditRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-09-03Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Sea trial attendance | Sea trial attendance is standard on a pre-purchase survey, though whether it is inside the quoted fee or billed separately varies by surveyor.Boston Marine Surveyors - published rate cardbostonmarinesurveyors.com · RatesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Sea trial attendance is standard on a pre-purchase survey, though whether it is inside the quoted fee or billed separately varies by surveyor.Boston Marine Surveyors - published rate cardbostonmarinesurveyors.com · RatesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Ownership structuring | ||
| Owning company minimum capital | No minimum capital applies; a standard company is 500 shares without par value, and authorized capital above that band draws a one-off capitalization tax.Associations Law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Business Corporations Act, courtesy copy published by the RMI Registrar of Corporations through the December 2020 session (183 pages), Republic of the Marshall Islands Registrar of Corporationswww.register-iri.com · §28(e)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A UK private company has no minimum share capital; only a public company needs £50,000, with a quarter of each share paid up.Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), section 763 (the authorised minimum) - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · s. 763(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2008-04-06Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Beneficial ownership disclosure | Owners are named in a private company record and to the flag at registration, never in a public register; the Registrar gets only an annual attestation.Associations Law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Business Corporations Act, courtesy copy published by the RMI Registrar of Corporations through the December 2020 session (183 pages), Republic of the Marshall Islands Registrar of Corporationswww.register-iri.com · §80(3)(b)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Anyone holding over 25 percent of the shares or votes must be filed at Companies House within 14 days of a change; the home address stays protected.Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), Part 21A (Information about people with significant control), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · s. 790K(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2025-11-18Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew employment & payroll | ||
| Seafarer employment agreements | A yacht that charters must give every seafarer a signed written agreement with at least seven days' notice plus Shipping Articles on the Administrator's official form; a purely private yacht, being outside the MLC, is not held to that regime.MI-108, RMI Maritime Regulations, Rev. Mar/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §7.45.1(c)Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Every seafarer on a UK ship needs a signed written agreement with at least seven days' notice; yachts in pleasure use are outside these rules.The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Minimum Requirements for Seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1613), Part 4 (Seafarers' employment agreements), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 9(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew social security | The RMI has declared five MLC branches: medical care, sickness, unemployment, employment injury and survivors' benefit, and there is no state scheme: the shipowner carries the cover, including at least US$10,000 death compensation, secured by protection and indemnity (P&I) cover, insurance or a bond.MI-108, RMI Maritime Regulations, Rev. Mar/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · §7.42Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | UK National Insurance follows the crew member's residence and the employer's place of business, not the flag, with 0.5 percent off the employer rate on foreign-going ships.The Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/1004), Part 9 Case C (Mariners), regulation 117 (conditions of domicile or residence), latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 117(1)(b)–(c)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Compliance (ISM/ISPS/MLC) | ||
| Commercial yacht code applied | The RMI Yacht Code applies to commercial yachts of any tonnage; private yachts of 18 m and over may use a limited-charter regime.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. I §2.1.2Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2026-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Commercial yachts of 24 meters load line length and over, up to 12 passengers, follow the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Part A.The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, Part A: Large Yachts, July 2024 Edition, Red Ensign Group (the file identified in footnote 2 to regulation 3 of S.I. 2025/1195)www.redensigngroup.org · §1.2(1)Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2024-07-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| ISM Code applicability | The full ISM Code applies at 500 GT and above; under 500 GT a mini-ISM system is required for commercial certification.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. II §1.11.1Retrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The full ISM Code applies at 500 GT and over; under 500 GT a scaled safety management system is still mandatory.The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, Part A: Large Yachts, July 2024 Edition, Red Ensign Group (the file identified in footnote 2 to regulation 3 of S.I. 2025/1195)www.redensigngroup.org · §23A.1(1) and §23B.1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2024-07-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| ISPS Code applicability | Yachts of 500 GT and over must meet the ISPS Code and carry an International Ship Security Certificate.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. II §1.12.1Retrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Yachts of 500 GT and over must comply with the ISPS Code; Part A of the Code states no requirement below that, which is the Code's silence and not a finding that none applies.The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, Part A: Large Yachts, July 2024 Edition, Red Ensign Group (the file identified in footnote 2 to regulation 3 of S.I. 2025/1195)www.redensigngroup.org · §31.1(1)Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2024-07-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
Guides for this comparison
- Temporary admission for yachts in the EU explained
- Yacht survey and code compliance costs
- Yacht flags lenders and insurers accept
- Choosing a yacht flag for cruising and charter
- EU flag or non-EU flag for a yacht
- The total cost of a yacht flag: a normalized lifecycle framework
- Commercial vs private yacht registration
- Marshall Islands yacht registration process step-by-step
- Marshall Islands yacht registration costs explained
- What a yacht register charges
- Commercial yacht VAT exemptions
- Yacht import VAT and place of supply
- Yacht mortgage registration costs
- How much does it cost to register a yacht in United Kingdom?
- How do you register a yacht in United Kingdom?
- EU yacht VAT explained
- How to choose a yacht flag
Services for these registers
Our pages on the services an owner arranges alongside registration.
- VAT and importation for yachts and private aircraft
- Yacht management companies: what they do, what they cost, how to choose
- Yacht insurance by flag: what is compulsory and what the market requires
- Finding yacht crew: how agencies work and what owners pay
- Who owns a yacht or a private aircraft? Companies, trusts and the register
- Employing yacht crew: contracts, payroll and social security
- ISM, ISPS and MLC for yachts: what your flag requires
- Chartering your yacht commercially: licenses, flags and coastal rules
- Central agents: how yachts are marketed for charter
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