"A yacht acquisition is a corporate transaction. We treat it that way."
Flagging, VAT structuring, crew payroll and financing wrappers for yachts and private aircraft — coordinated with your family office or holding company.
How we work with yacht, aircraft & marine asset owners.
A yacht or private-aircraft acquisition is a corporate transaction and ASJ Group treats it that way. Flag selection, VAT structuring, ownership SPV, crew payroll and financing wrappers are all designed together, before the vessel leaves the yard.
Flag matters. It determines commercial-charter eligibility, crew licensing regime, port access, insurance premium, and the resale market. The right flag is the one that fits the intended use and the owner's residency footprint — not the cheapest.
Every engagement is director-led and coordinated with the client's broker, family office or holding company. ASJ Group does not sell insurance, financing or brokerage — we design the structure and coordinate the counterparties who do.
What we've seen go wrong.
- Registering under a flag that does not permit commercial charter, then discovering the yacht cannot legally offset costs through charter income
- Skipping VAT-efficient importation and paying full VAT at first EU port entry
- Personal ownership of a yacht or aircraft, then discovering the liability, insurance and inheritance implications after acquisition
- Financing through a lender that does not accept the chosen flag or SPV — restructuring mid-purchase
The shape of the work.
Every engagement is fixed-fee, director-led, and quoted in writing before any work begins.
- 01Intended use, flag selection and SPV design (2–3 weeks)
- 02VAT/importation, ownership SPV formation, flag registration and financing coordination
- 03Crew or pilot licensing, insurance, management-company appointment
- 04Annual compliance, survey and refit calendar
Questions we hear from yacht, aircraft & marine asset owners.
- Which flag for a superyacht?
- Cayman Red Ensign for larger private yachts globally. Malta or Isle of Man for European commercial-charter operations. Marshall Islands for cost-focused private operation. Choice depends on cruising area, crew profile and charter appetite.
- How does EU VAT work on yachts?
- Options include full importation via a lower-rate member state, temporary admission for non-EU-resident owners (up to 18 months), or commercial-leasing structures. Each has trade-offs on flexibility, resale value and ongoing compliance.
- Which aircraft register for private jets?
- Isle of Man M- and Cayman VP-C- are the premium private registers. Aruba P4- and San Marino T7- are strong alternatives. FAA N- is used for US-linked owners. Registry fits owner residency, financing and MRO location.
Explore further for yacht, aircraft & marine asset owners
Yacht & Aircraft Registration
Flag, register and structure ownership of yachts and private aircraft.
Corporate Structuring
Multi-jurisdictional holding groups, IP-routing structures, JV vehicles and re-domiciliations.
Trusts & Foundations
Discretionary, fixed-interest, purpose and reserved-power trusts. Panama and Nevis foundations.
Every engagement begins with a twenty-minute director-led call. Fixed fees, in writing, before any work begins.