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Short & Sweet no. 8
Do not fall into the operator trap when flying within the EU and UK

Added 2021 – Updated January 2024
  • What is the operator trap?
  • Do not get things wrong from the get-go
  • What are the pitfalls?

Introduction
As we assume that most aircraft will eventually fly to the UK or that every owner at least wants the opportunity to fly freely within Europe and not just the EU, we have added the UK to this description.

We frequently receive the following inquiry: “We have just brought a new aircraft into our operation and will be flying to Europe. Please tell us how to do so properly”.

The statement above is frequently asked by professional managements and operating companies that have new clients as well as private and corporate operators where the aircraft ownership structure makes it difficult to operate the aircraft within Europe in accordance with the various customs regulations without vast consequences due to the aircraft ownership, management, and operating structure that does not fit into either of the two customs entry options, namely the Temporary Admission or full importation procedure.

We call the above situation the operator trap because reasonable solutions are sometimes simply not available. Our goal is to point out that the aircraft ownership, management, and operating structure are very important aspects to consider if an operator is planning to fly or eventually base an aircraft within the EU or the UK.

A quick background of the customs regulation
Any aircraft flying into the EU, or the UK will fly under customs control using either the Temporary Admission procedure or a full importation. There are no other options. The Temporary Admission procedure can only be used by EU or UK outsiders where the aircraft is owned (including any UBOs), operated, registered, and based outside the EU or the UK, leaving EU or UK insiders with only one option – full importation. 

The pitfalls
Please be aware that the setups described below can create an operator trap. If an owner or operator can recognize their setup in one or more of the listed points below, the alarm bell should ring, and the owner or operator might consider re-structuring the setup before it is too late. Please remember that the list is not comprehensive and that the full importation and Temporary Admission procedures also have other preconditions and limitations that must be followed continuously.

Full importation:

  • The owner or importing entity is a shell company
  • The owner or importing entity is incorporated or domiciled in exotic places or jurisdictions known as tax havens
  • The owner or importing entity is not using the aircraft 100% in their pursuit of real economic activity *)
  • The aircraft is not commercially operated
  1. Some business activities, such as selected real estate activities, banking and finance, insurance, gaming, and holding companies, etc., are not subject to VAT meaning that an importing entity with such activities cannot deduct the imposed import VAT during a full importation even though the aircraft is used 100% for real business activities within the mentioned areas

Temporary Admission:

  • The owner entity is incorporated or domiciled within the EU
  • Any potential lessee is incorporated or domiciled within the EU
  • Any potential UBO or main user has habitual residence within the EU
  • The physical operator is incorporated or domiciled within the EU
  • The aircraft registration has origin within the EU *)
  1. A San Marino (T7) registration will work fine

Temporary Admission:

  • The owner entity is incorporated or domiciled within the UK, including the Isle of Man *)
  • Any potential lessee is incorporated or domiciled within UK, including the Isle of Man
  • Any potential UBO or main user has habitual residence within the UK, including the Isle of Man
  • The physical operator is incorporated or domiciled within the UK, including the Isle of Man
  • The aircraft registration has origin within the UK, including the Isle of Man **)
  1. The Isle of Man is inside the customs territory of the UK
  2. An Isle of Man registration will not work.

The only option left
If the aircraft will operate within the EU, the only option left could be to pay the EU VAT, ranging from 15 to 27% of the aircraft’s value. This could also be the tragic result if customs find something wrong during a ramp check.

How can we help?
If you have questions about the above, please do not hesitate to contact us.

List of all OPMAS
Short & Sweet mails:

No. 21 – Part 4: Using Temporary Admission – how to prepare for a customs ramp check
Jan 2024 TA


No. 20 – Buying or selling aircraft within, to, or from the EU
Nov 2023 TA FI


No. 19 – The real differences between full importation and Temporary Admission
Sep 2023 - Updated 2024 TA FI


No. 18 – Exporting an aircraft from the EU
Jun 2023 - Updated 2024 FI


No. 17 – What is the correct use of a corporate aircraft?
Mar 2023 - Updated 2024 FI


No. 16 – Which customs procedures can be used for parking an aircraft within the EU?
Jan 2023 - Updated 2024 TA FI


No. 15 – Liability and risk elements associated with EU importation and admission
Oct 2022 - Updated 2024 TA FI


No. 14 – Part 3: Using Temporary Admission – when does an operator need help?
Aug 2022 – Updated 2024 TA


No. 13 – Importation impacts when traveling the world in corporate aircraft
Jun 2022 - Updated 2024 FI


No. 12 – How to get the 0% airline VAT exemption meant for commercial operators
May 2022 - Updated 2024 FI


No. 11 – Part 2: Using Temporary Admission
– what do customs look for during a ramp check, and why?

Mar 2022 – Updated 2024 TA


No. 10 – How to handle aircraft maintenance correct in a customs context​
Feb 2022 - Updated 2024 TA FI


No. 9 – Part 1: Using Temporary Admission – the Supporting Document
Dec 2021 – Updated 2024 TA


No. 8 – Do not fall into the operator trap when flying within the EU and UK
Oct 2021 - Updated 2024 TA FI


No. 7 – Which offshore aircraft registrations can be used with Temporary Admissions when flying within the EU and UK?
Sep 2021 - Updated 2024 TA


No. 6 – Flying with EU-resident persons onboard when using Temporary Admission
Aug 2021 - Updated 2024 TA


No. 5 – What about private use
of corporate aircraft?

May 2021 - Updated 2024 TA FI


No. 4 – What does ‘VAT paid’ mean?
Mar 2021 - Updated 2024 FI


No. 3 – Is a full importation needed
in both the UK and the EU27?

Mar 2021 - Updated 2024 FI


No. 2 – Flying commercially
within the EU

Feb 2021 - Updated 2024 TA FI


No. 1 – Flying with the
CEO

Nov 2020 - Updated 2024 TA FI

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