About /

Guernsey

Yachts

As a crown dependency, Guernsey has a very reputable yacht registry. It is a member of the ‘Red Ensign Group’ of British ship registries, and its yachts enjoy the high standards associated with the red ensign flag.

By registering a yacht in Guernsey, owners can benefit from the advantages of a tax efficient and stable jurisdiction and the favourable tax laws of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Using a Guernsey Corporate structure to own and operate a yacht will provide asset protection for the owner and can provide a number of other benefits including:

  • Qualification for a flag not available to the individual owner
  • Ring fencing the yacht from a liability perspective
  • Beneficial Owner Discretion
  • VAT registration at a suitable jurisdiction for commercial yachts

Dixcart works with their clients to select the structure and jurisdiction most suitable for each client’s needs.

Dixcart can manage the whole process from incorporation to registration and administer the corporate yacht owning entity going forward ensuring that all its regulatory obligations are met.

Regulated Companies

The Dixcart Group is comprised of many different companies spread across the major offshore finance centres. All Dixcart entities are registered with the relevant regulatory authority

As part of the ongoing administration of the yacht-owning entity Dixcart can provide company directors, company secretary and registered office / registered agent. All listed services fall under the provision of regulated activities.

Benefits of Registration in Guernsey

  • Guernsey is a neutral, politically stable and well-regarded jurisdiction and is white-listed as a transparent and well-regulated offshore finance centre.
  • Vessels registered to entities resident in Guernsey qualify for the respected ‘Red Ensign Group’ of British ship registries and Guernsey yacht registration enables the renowned Red Ensign to be flown.
  • Regulated by the United Kingdom’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).
  • Competitive registry fees with no tonnage tax or other annual ship registry fees.
  • European time zone.
  • Guernsey registration is valid internationally and all documentation is issued in English and widely accepted.
  • There is no requirement for a Guernsey-registered yacht to physically visit Guernsey.
  • Ability to obtain a provisional registration to cover vessel for navigation immediately after purchase.
  • The Guernsey Register of Ships provides proof of title enabling the owner to register a mortgage on the vessel if desired.
  • A Certificate of British Registry is valid for ten years at the end of which ten-year period the process for renewing the registration for a further ten years is very easy.
  • Guernsey is outside the VAT territory of the EU making the register useful for non-EU resident owners wanting to operate their vessel VAT free in Europe and who are eligible to do so under Temporary Admission (Temporary Importation) relief.

Services available to Yacht Owners and/or Captains

  • Vessel and flag registration,
  • Administration of day to day vessel expenses, budgets and crew payroll,
  • Liaison with Captain’s and Owner’s regarding annual obligations, registration, flag, marina and harbour fees, etc.
  • Vessel builds – Management of super yacht and small boat build budgets, completion reporting, managing stage payments and liaison with owners, shipyards and brokers.
yacht

Ships

Guernsey has a rich maritime history and we continue that tradition, offering specialist services to the marine industry.  

The Registry is open to vessels with a limit of 150 gross tonnage (as ascertained under the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations), particularly pleasure yachts. A increase in the tonnage limit for pleasure yachts may be increased at some point in the future, up to under 400 GT.

Vessels intended for commercial use (up to a maximum of 24 metres loadline length – ITC69) can be registered but must comply fully with the current Codes of Practice for the Safety of Small Commercial Vessels and manning requirements.

International Payroll Services

Comprehensive solutions are available for efficient payroll administration, complying with Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), in accordance with The Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Services (Maritime Labour Convention 2006) (Guernsey and Alderney) Ordinance, 2013.

Ship

AIRCRAFT

Established in December 2013, “2-REG”, the Channel Islands Aircraft Registry, is the aircraft registry of the States of Guernsey. The nationality mark is ‘2’ followed by four letters, allowing for attractive registration marks.

There have been 94 registrations to date of lessor owned aircraft, corporate aircraft, including a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and locally owned aircraft. The registry is also able to award Air Operator Certificates, and benefits from being party to the Cape Town Convention, the international aviation standard relating to aviation assets.

The Registration Process

The process for aircraft registration involves a review of corporate and aircraft due diligence. This applies to the 40 countries where financial services business regulations are considered equivalent to local Guernsey standards. For countries not on this list, the 2-REG requires a Resident Agent in Guernsey, who must be a licensed fiduciary, to be appointed to undertake this work.

The Resident Agent is required to undertake a review of due diligence (corporate and aircraft) to the standard expected by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, and to report their findings to the registry. In addition, the Resident Agent must act as liaison between the aircraft owner and the registry and submit the registration applications. Dixcart Trust Corporation Limited in Guernsey is a registered Resident Agent for the 2-REG Registry.

Benefits and Advantages of the Guernsey Aircraft Register

  • Neutral nationality registration mark ‘2-‘.
  • Registration is available out of sequence; the 2- followed by a four-letter combination allows for significant personalisation and branding opportunities.
  • High service quality.
  • Competitive and flexible scheme of charges and fees.
  • Not an EASA register and is therefore able to accept transfers from other registers, including EASA and the Canadian and USA registers.
  • Secure mortgage registration system allowing priority notices.
  • Worldwide network of inspectors who perform airworthiness surveys at a time and place to suit each particular situation.
  • EEA and Commonwealth incorporated companies can be registered owners.
  • Aircraft can be based anywhere in the world.

Dixcart Services

  • Assistance with meeting 2-REG Guernsey aircraft eligibility requirements
  • Aircraft registration assistance and resident agent services
  • Assisting with aircraft sale / purchase transaction, closing and delivery services from Guernsey
  • Crew payroll
Plane

Key People

Full Fiduciary Licence granted by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Guernsey Registered Company Number: 6512

Guernsey Office Information

Dixcart Trust Corporation Limited holds a full fiduciary license, issued by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, providing a full range of services, including corporate, fiduciary and investment management services to international organisations, families and individuals.

Dixcart Trust Corporation Limited

PO Box 161
Dixcart House 
Sir William Place
St. Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 4EZ
Channel Islands

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t +44 (0)1481 738700
e advice.guernsey@dixcart.com

Guernsey Office Services

A comprehensive range of services are available from our office in Guernsey:

Ship Registration

Dixcart Air Marine provides advice on the advantages and the tax and commercial efficiencies available in Guernsey. Dixcart in Guernsey has extensive expertise in ship registration.

Coordination and Importation of the yacht, ship or aircraft

Dixcart Guernsey can assist with the preparation work in advance, coordination and importing the vessel, and ongoing registration requirements.

Management of Structures dedicated to asset protection

Dixcart can advise on the most appropriate structure to protect assets and optimise the income from those assets.

Compliance, Accounting and Bookkeeping

Due diligence relating to the accounts, as well as support to ensure that all compliance requirements are fully met.

Management of Structures dedicated to asset protection

Dixcart can advise on the most appropriate structure to protect assets and optimise the income from those assets.

Crewing and Payroll

Dixcart Guernsey can draft all of the appropriate contracts and assist with payroll, if required. .

Ongoing Corporate Support

A comprehensive range of management and secretarial services, including directorship arrangements, filing of appropriate returns, etc.