The RIF is the French International Register for commercial yachts, it has been launched on February 2006.

Which vessels are involved with the RIF?
Your yacht must:

• have an overall hull length greater than 24 metres,
• be operated commercially,
• be ran in international cabotage or deep sea,
• be manned by a professional crew with at least 25% Europeans,
• satisfy safety standards applicable to commercial yachts,

Quick and easy administrative procedures

• A contact at the Guichet Unique for all your customs and maritime affairs procedures,
• Faster processing times,
• A single form for registration and French flag requests,
• A comprehensive website (www.rif.mer.equipement.gouv.fr) for detailed information and for registration request,
• All procedures under french flag are mainly free-of-charge (Yacht owners will only be invoiced for inspectors’ foreign travel expenses, if applicable),
• Reduced mortgage fees.

Free pre-procedure advice

A technical consultant is on-hand to carry out advisory pre-visits in preparation for the launch visit. He also follows through yacht registrations and applications with the National Maritime SafetyCommittee (CNSNP).

Multiple reductions and tax exemptions

• Exemption of customs duties and VAT:
  – on the vessel when imported,
  – on all supplies and domestic tax on fuel (TIPP),
  – on deliveries of vessel-incorporable goods including catering,
  – on maintenance, transformation, repair, chartering and hire operations,

• Exemption from annual flag and sailing duties,
• For crew resident in France: employers’ social contributions is reduced to 11.6% (Current rates as of 10/10/09, instead of 35.6%) through the French Seamen’s National Health and Social Security Establishment (ENIM),
• For crew established out of France: foreign social security is available in accordance with EU Social security regulations.

Benefits for the crew

• Full income tax exemption for seamen fiscally resident in France and embarked for more than 183 days per 12 months,
• Services validated with the French Seamen’s National Health and Social Security Establishment, covering risks of illness, occupational injury and accident and pension scheme,
• Sailing time validated to obtain or to maintain STCW certificates (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping).

Tags on NauticNews: The RIF – French International Register – Mega Yachts

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