It is essential to have appropriate insurance in place prior to handover.

Your yacht insurance should commence from the date your yacht is scheduled to enter the water after leaving the factory. Our team will confirm this date with you approximately two weeks prior to departure.

Ensure you check with the French Consulate in Australia for the latest information regarding any visas, permits or entry requirements that may apply before booking your travel to France.

We recommend researching your individual passport and visa requirements well in advance to ensure you understand any conditions or travel restrictions that may apply. Please note that The Yacht Sales Co. is unable to provide advice or assistance with visa or immigration applications.

Your new yacht must be registered before departing overseas. As the registration process involves a number of steps and supporting documents, we recommend commencing your application well in advance of your handover in La Rochelle.

As the owner, it is your responsibility to ensure the registration process is completed correctly and that all relevant requirements are met before departure.

Applications are lodged with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and require supporting documentation and payment of the applicable registration fee. Requirements may vary depending on the vessel and circumstances, so we recommend referring to AMSA for the latest information.

Shipping Registration Office
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
PO Box 255
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
T: (02) 6279 5925

AMSA Ship Registration

For a new yacht, supporting documentation may include:

• A Bill of Sale as evidence of ownership (title of the boat issued by The Yacht Sales Co.)
• A Builder’s Certificate completed by the shipyard
• Relevant AMSA application and ownership forms
• Any additional documentation requested by the Shipping Registration Office

Once AMSA has received and assessed the required information, a Marking Note will be issued detailing the registration particulars that must be permanently marked on your yacht. Once the yacht has been marked, the Marking Note must be signed, witnessed and returned to AMSA, together with any outstanding documentation, before registration can be finalised.

Our Commissioning Team will assist you with the yacht marking requirements when you arrive in La Rochelle.

Please refer to AMSA for the latest registration requirements, documentation and marking specifications.

You will need to select a name for your new yacht as part of the registration process. Once approved, the yacht must be permanently marked in accordance with the relevant registration requirements.

You can create your own yacht name graphics through Boat Names Australia, or contact Lily Loyer in La Rochelle for assistance with name and logo stickers.

Lily Loyer
E: [email protected]

Alternatively, La Rochelle Création offers custom yacht names, lettering and hull graphics locally in La Rochelle.

La Rochelle Création

4 Rue de la Perruche, ZAC des Minimes
17000 La Rochelle
T: +33 5 17 81 04 40
E: [email protected]

An MMSI is a unique nine-digit number used to identify your yacht when operating compatible marine radio and AIS equipment. The MMSI number may need to be arranged before sailing in order to set up the ship’s identity on any transmitting equipment.

We recommend arranging your marine radio qualification well before travelling to France.

Apply for an MMSI through AMSA

If your yacht is fitted with MF/HF radio equipment, additional requirements apply, including an ACMA maritime ship licence and call sign.

ACMA Maritime Ship Licence information

If you plan to ship equipment or personal effects to France, please contact our Service Team before arranging freight. Customs duties, taxes and import requirements may apply depending on the goods, their value, origin and customs status.

Where possible, it may be simpler and more cost-effective to purchase general yacht equipment in France.

Used equipment and personal effects can be shipped to our local service partner, Uchimata. Storage and transfer fees apply, so please confirm current costs and requirements with our team before sending any goods.

Please send approved shipments to:
ATT: Ludovic Baumont
SAS UCHIMATA SERVICES
ZA des Minimes
3 Quai Marillac
17000 La Rochelle

VAT: FR43903120418
EORI: FR90312041800020

Please clearly label all freight with your name and yacht name, and advise our Service Team once it has been dispatched.

Your Service Team will advise you of your yacht’s estimated ex-factory completion date. We recommend waiting for confirmation before booking flights or finalising your travel arrangements, as production and commissioning timelines may change.

Once booked, please share your travel itinerary with our team so we can coordinate your arrival and access to your yacht, including collection from the airport, train or bus station where arranged.

We recommend booking accommodation for your first few nights in La Rochelle, as you will not be able to move onboard until all ex-factory works and final checks have been completed by our Handover Team.

Remember, your new yacht will also need to be equipped for life onboard, including essentials such as bed linen, cookware and cutlery.

Rebecca will contact you well in advance of your handover to discuss and provide a quote for any additional equipment you would like installed on your yacht.

Planning ahead allows sufficient time to confirm availability, order equipment and complete installation prior to your arrival.

Prior to your departure from La Rochelle, our Service Team will receive the relevant export documentation from the shipyard and assist you with completing the required export formalities.

Once the yacht has been exported, different VAT and customs requirements may apply to any additional equipment purchased or installed, so please speak with our team before making further arrangements.

Eligible non-EU registered yachts may remain within the EU customs territory for up to 18 months under Temporary Admission, subject to meeting the applicable conditions.

For current requirements, refer to French Customs.

Depending on your eligibility and the type of goods purchased, you may be able to purchase certain items VAT-free or claim a VAT refund when leaving the EU.

Our Handover Team can assist with local purchasing options, including opening an account with the local chandlery where applicable.

For other eligible purchases, VAT-refund services such as Zapptax may be available. Eligibility and conditions apply, so we recommend checking requirements before purchasing.

Please allow a full day for your handover. Our team will guide you through your yacht and selected options, followed by a comprehensive technical briefing covering the operation of its systems.

A sea trial will then be conducted to check the yacht’s navigational systems and familiarise you with its operation on the water. This generally takes approximately one to two hours.

Additional sail training with our experienced instructors can also be arranged, along with additional crew if required.

Once you are satisfied with your yacht and the handover documentation has been completed, it’s time to celebrate and enjoy your first moments onboard.

The Yacht Sales Co. will cover marina fees until your handover documentation is completed and signed. Our team can then assist with arranging your marina account should you wish to extend your stay.

Following handover, The Yacht Sales Co. and Uchimata remain available to assist with settling onboard, minor additional installations, local advice and any outstanding handover items.

AD Nautic La Rochelle (Accastillage Diffusion) is a conveniently located chandlery at Les Minimes offering a wide range of marine equipment, supplies and accessories.

For any VAT or export-related purchases, we recommend discussing your requirements directly with the store and our Handover Team before purchasing, as eligibility and procedures vary depending on the goods and circumstances.

AD Nautic La Rochelle (Accastillage Diffusion)
23 Quai Marillac, ZI Les Minimes
17000 La Rochelle
T: +33 5 46 45 49 49

Provisioning & Household Supplies

Hyper U La Rochelle-Beaulieu
Route de Nantes, Beaulieu
17138 Puilboreau
T: +33 5 46 68 03 22

A large hypermarket offering groceries, household goods and everyday essentials. A convenient option for provisioning your yacht before departure.

Decathlon La Rochelle-Puilboreau
2 Rue de Belgique
17138 Puilboreau
T: +33 5 46 68 00 00

Located in the Beaulieu shopping precinct, Decathlon offers sporting, outdoor, cycling and fishing equipment, along with a range of useful items for life onboard.

BIS – Boat Interior Solution
E: [email protected]
T: +33 6 83 64 77 38

A specialist turnkey service for equipping your yacht’s interior, including galley equipment, tableware, cabin linen, cleaning products and décor. BIS can also arrange delivery directly onboard in La Rochelle.

Leroy Merlin Puilboreau – La Rochelle
1 Rue de Belgique
17138 Puilboreau
T: +33 5 46 68 32 32

A large hardware and home improvement store offering tools, cleaning and maintenance products, sealants, electrical and plumbing supplies, and other useful equipment.

Carrefour City La Rochelle Scierie
33 Rue de la Scierie
17000 La Rochelle
T: +33 5 46 27 02 00

E.Leclerc Sautel
124 Boulevard André Sautel
17000 La Rochelle
T: +33 5 46 34 18 67

Pharmacie des Minimes

285 Avenue Marillac
17000 La Rochelle
T: +33 5 46 44 40 86

Conveniently located near Les Minimes marina. Previous owners have also arranged comprehensive medical kits through the pharmacy to suit their cruising plans. Please contact the pharmacy directly to discuss your individual requirements.

  

For local doctors and medical appointments in La Rochelle, visit Doctolib to search for available practitioners and book appointments online.

Doctolib also offers access to doctors providing video consultations, where appropriate. Prescriptions and other documents can be provided electronically following a consultation.

Bookstore
Calligrammes
24 Rue Chaudrier
17000 La Rochelle
T: +33 5 46 41 52 48

Laundry
Laverie du Must
1 Rue Lucile, Résidence Le Must, Port des Minimes
17000 La Rochelle
T: +33 5 46 44 69 20

Post Office / Parcels
La Poste La Rochelle Les Minimes
57 Rue de la Scierie
17000 La Rochelle