The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 94/25/EC applies not only to new pleasure craft but to ALL pleasure craft which are imported into EU countries from outside of the European Economic Area.

We are well placed to offer conformity assistance where a specialist or unusual craft is being imported or where a large number of similar craft are to be brought in by one importer. We have also often assisted clients who have unwittingly purchased a craft which is found not to have been appropriately declared as compliant with the RCD.

Conversely it is rarely cost effective for us to assist private individuals who are seeking to save a little money by buying and importing a single craft for their own use, these craft are frequently termed ‘Grey Imports’.

Where imported craft have a purchase price equivalent to less than £20,000 - £25,000 sterling, it is rarely cost effective to involve us as possible savings can be matched or exceeded by a combination of import tax and the fees we would need to charge to supervise and manage the CE marking process.

Offences and penalties

Any person found guilty of contravening the regulations, including not declaring conformity on a Grey Import, could be liable to either or both of the following ;

     1. imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months
     2. to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale,

If a craft which should have been CE marked, but has not been for what ever reason will fall under a requirement of the directive amendment that ‘Module G’ is applied for the conformity process. This entails the mandatory involvement of a notified body whose charges would be in addition to ours and the craft’s builders plate would have to be marked to indicate that a ‘Post Constructional Assessment’ had been required.