If you’re chartering a larger motor yacht in Sardinia and open to starting from the French Riviera instead of an Italian port, you may qualify for a genuine VAT advantage: an ECPY transport contract can eliminate VAT entirely on a France-to-Sardinia charter, plus cut fuel costs by up to half. It only applies to specific routes and yacht sizes, but where it fits, the savings are real money, not a marketing number.
The Quick Take
- What it is: the ECPY Transport Contract is a specialized agreement that frames your charter as a transport service rather than a rental, which can waive the 20% VAT France normally charges.
- Who qualifies: it’s built for larger motor yachts (we’d recommend 30m/100ft+), departing France (Antibes, Nice, Cannes, or Monaco) and arriving in another country — Sardinia is a common, well-established route.
- The catch: the itinerary has to be pre-approved and fixed before you board — no changes once you’re underway — and it has to be arranged through an ECPY-accredited broker.
Why a Sardinia Charter Would Start in France
Most clients thinking about a Sardinia charter picture starting in Olbia or another Italian port, and for a standard week that’s usually right. But if you’re chartering a larger motor yacht and your dates allow for departing from the French Riviera instead, the route can unlock a tax structure that isn’t available on an Italy-only booking.
We’ve arranged this exact route for clients before: a 50-metre motor yacht departing Antibes and cruising to Porto Cervo, Sardinia, structured under an ECPY transport contract rather than a standard charter agreement.
What an ECPY Contract Actually Changes
A standard Mediterranean charter runs on a MYBA-style agreement: a fixed charter fee, VAT on top — 20% in France — and fuel billed separately through the APA.
An ECPY Transport Contract reclassifies the arrangement as a transport lease rather than a rental. On a qualifying route — departing France and crossing into international waters, such as to Sardinia — that reclassification waives the VAT entirely. On a €200,000 charter fee, that’s €40,000 back in the budget, not a discount, an exemption. Fuel can also qualify for duty-free treatment on the same trip, cutting fuel costs by roughly 40–50%.
What It Takes to Qualify
This isn’t available on every booking, and it’s worth knowing the real requirements before you get attached to the idea:
- The yacht needs to be commercially registered, and we’d recommend a motor yacht of 30 metres (100ft) or more, since the itinerary involves a genuine offshore transfer.
- The charter has to depart from France — typically Antibes, Nice, Cannes, or Monaco — and arrive in another country.
- The itinerary has to be pre-approved and fixed before departure. Once you’re onboard, it can’t change — so this suits clients who know their route, not a loose, decide-as-you-go week.
- The contract has to be issued by an ECPY-accredited broker. Not every brokerage can offer this — ours can.
Is It Worth Rerouting Your Sardinia Charter?
If you were already planning a larger motor yacht charter and your dates are flexible enough to start from the French Riviera rather than Olbia, it’s almost always worth asking your broker to check eligibility — there’s real money on the table and no downside to asking.
If your heart is set on starting and ending entirely within Sardinia on a standard week, this isn’t the right fit, and that’s completely fine — it’s a specific tool for a specific kind of trip, not a default recommendation. See our full breakdown of how the ECPY contract works on our South of France site for the complete mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save on VAT chartering a yacht to Sardinia?
Yes, on qualifying routes. An ECPY transport contract departing France and arriving in Sardinia can waive the 20% VAT you’d otherwise pay, plus cut fuel costs by up to half.
What size yacht qualifies for an ECPY contract?
We’d recommend a commercially registered motor yacht of 30 metres (100ft) or more, given the itinerary involves a genuine offshore transfer from France.
Can I change my itinerary once I’m on board an ECPY charter?
No — the itinerary has to be pre-approved and fixed before departure. This structure suits a planned route, not a decide-as-you-go week.
Does any broker offer an ECPY contract?
No, only ECPY-accredited brokers can issue one. Ask your broker directly whether they’re ECPY-registered before assuming it’s available.
Wondering if your Sardinia charter qualifies?
Tell us your yacht size, guest count, and dates, and we’ll check whether an ECPY route from France could work for your charter.
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