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Global Airfreight Forwarding by ESTELA Shipping
As the ESTELA Shipping name suggests, we provide worldwide freight forwarding services. But did you know we also do airfreight? Whether it is delivering spare parts to berthed or anchored vessels, or the return of spare parts, we can arrange for transportation and...
Easter COVID rules/regs around the Med
SPAIN No yacht restrictions, subject to health declarations and PCR tests (<72 hrs)Hospitality is open only on terraces, until 5pmGroups may be no more than 6, from no more than two households, including on boardShops are open, with some capacity restrictions and...
Spain introduces 10-day quarantine for arrivals from South Africa
With effect from 8th March 2021, all arrivals from South Africa in Spain will be required to quarantine for 10 days following arrival. Please note that seafarers are NOT exempt from this requirement, though are permitted to self-isolate on board. Quarantine must be...
OFFICIAL travel information sources for crew (and non-crew)
Global travel eligibility checker: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/#(note that all airlines’ policy is guided by IATA)Travel to Spain, general:For general travel to Spain: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ESP/7001Spain health declaration:...
Clearing out of TA without COVID hassles
Many non-EU flagged yachts in the Mediterranean complete an 18-monthly ‘VAT dash’ to Algeria, to clear out of the EU zone ahead of their TA deadline. This year, the clearance dash has been complicated by restricted movements of both yachts and crew, while UK-flagged...
The ‘Seaman’s Book’: should you get one?
This guide to the Seaman’s Book explains what it is, why yacht crew should get one and how to obtain one.
EU immigration impact of Brexit on UK crew
Now that the UK has left the EU, there are some extra hoops for British passport holders to jump through when arriving in, or leaving, the EU. British crew members in Spain (or France) who already appear on a crew list are not required to visit immigration in order to...
Enjoy near VAT-free chartering from Melilla in 2021
Spain has relaxed its ‘use and enjoyment’ rule for charters beginning in Melilla, enabling the country’s exclave on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast to reduce its VAT rate to just 0.5% this coming season. The rate is available to yachts that have ‘Union goods’ status, on...
UK-flagged yachts, British crew and VAT after Brexit
Brexit: UK-flagged yachts and VAT Having left the EU customs territory from the start of 2021, the UK is now considered a ‘third country’, affecting the VAT treatment of UK-flagged yachts in EU waters. Likewise, the treatment of EU-flagged yachts entering British...
Caribbean Yacht Destinations Update
Prepared: 10th December In advance of the Caribbean season, we present an overview of the COVID situation in most of the region’s most popular yacht destinations. Regulations are subject to change, so in order to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date...