Possible EU Exit – What Impact On Historic Aviation?

That’s an arrogant suggestion to make.

My business traded across Europe for nearly 50 years, I owned a house in France for nearly 20 years, I have visited most countries in Western Europe and many several times a year for very many years. I love the people’s and cultures and diversity of Europe. But I strongly dislike the operation and aspiration of the EU and will be voting to leave.

We’ve imported a great deal of aeroplane parts (and airframes as well) from mainland Europe and the ability to simply conclude the deal and turn up at the port without any requirement for completing reams of paperwork, justifying one’s self or paying importation duty is testament to the fact that while the EU may still have issues that have to be worked out (but then so do most national sovereign governments), the system actually works well.

Additionally, (from a non-aviation context and off-topic – sorry!) my UK registered and based business operates in Norway, the Baltic States, France, and will shortly start to operate in Sweden, all without undue red-tape. We own a home in France which we were able to achieve without any red-tape and can visit at the drop of a hat without having to ask anyone for permission.

I can’t help but believe that one’s attitude towards the EU is mainly defined by whether you can be bothered to actively get off your backside and take advantage of the benefits it offers.

Yawn all you like AA but there is no way you can detach the debate on the OP’s question from the politics of it.

In truth of course no one can possibly begin to answer the question since we have no idea what will be negotiated with the EU and others should we vote to leave. The government has no contingency for what happens following a no vote. The departure negotiations will take many months and it would be nearer to a couple of years before we were actually separated. Then TO, you will have an answer to your question.

My OP was based on some genuine thoughts on the possible implications of what an exit might have on the movement of aviation goods.

Last autumn I arranged the movement of some aviation items, which also reminded me of the complexities of working outside the EU. That experience was mentioned in another thread about these parts (cannot find it, despite extensive searches) that related to starting a consolidation scheme for historic aviation items. I’ve requoted one of my posts to try and get us back on track!

“This sounds like a great idea and I wish you well. However having recently co-ordinated the importation of a set of ‘mixed aviation items’ from the Southern hemisphere into the UK, I suspect that the idea might be a little more complex than envisaged.

For example different items attract import duties at different rates, while some may be exempt. A similar situation exists between airworthy items and non-airworthy items; IIRC even between helicopter and general aviation parts.

Likewise some items attract VAT, while others don’t. These issues can be difficult to sort out even within a shipment from one consignee, let alone from different consignees.

Similarly who would allocate / decide who picked up the VAT portion of the cost?

From a customs perspective the consignee is responsible for identifying and applying the Commodity Coding to the goods and this could be difficult with ‘mixed-items’, e.g. if one item was mistakenly identified could the whole shipment be impounded? If so who would be responsible for sorting out the issues?

These types of issue are day to day issues with a good freight forwarding company, who can use their knowledge and expertise to guide you through what can be quite a maze of paperwork and regulation.

All that said good luck with trying to set up a scheme.”

Yawn. The last two posts suggest that it’s not long before this thread is redirected to General discussion!

Which, lacking the right of legislative initiative dilutes it’s democratic legitimacy. Just for clarity.

That’ll be the European Parliament elected by the people of Europe just for clarity.

I believe the EU decides on what VAT is charged on ( not the rate.). They have talked about putting it on children’s clothes for example.
mmitch.