Why overpay for your South of France luxury yacht charter when there’s a smarter way to book?
With an ECPY Transport Contract, we’ve helped charterers cut their costs by up to 22%-eliminating VAT and securing tax-free fuel on qualifying routes. If you’re booking a yacht from the French Riviera to destinations like Sardinia or Spain, this exclusive contract could mean tens of thousands in savings-without compromising on luxury. If you are still comparing Riviera start points before building the route, see why many French Riviera yacht charters start in Antibes. For the bigger budgeting picture, see our French Riviera yacht charter cost guide.
What Is an ECPY Contract?
An ECPY Transport Contract is a specialized agreement developed by the European Committee for Professional Yachting (ECPY) for yacht charters, primarily in France and Monaco.
Unlike traditional charter agreements, such as the MYBA Charter Agreement, the ECPY Transport Contract frames the arrangement as a transport service rather than a rental. This unique classification unlocks major financial benefits, making it a smarter choice for savvy charterers.
Broker insight
The ECPY contract is the biggest single saving I can put in front of a client taking a larger yacht out of France. It removes the VAT entirely and cuts the fuel tax, which on a big motor yacht is tens of thousands of euros over a week, so it is worth structuring the whole charter around.
Nadja Asmus
Charter Broker
ECPY vs. Standard MYBA Contract – What’s the Difference?
Most yacht charters run on a MYBA contract, which means:
- ❌ You pay a fixed charter fee.
- ❌ You get hit with a 20% VAT charge (that’s €40,000 on a €200,000 charter!).
- ❌ Fuel is extra, and you’ll be billed separately via an APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance).
Now, enter the ECPY Transport Contract:
- ✔️ It’s technically a transport lease, allowing for VAT exemption when crossing international waters.
- ✔️ Duty-free fuel saving up to 50% on refueling costs (applies if the yacht follows a fixed itinerary).
- ✔️ Must depart from France and arrive in another country.
Important: Not just any broker can offer an ECPY contract. You need a certified ECPY-accredited broker (like us) to take advantage of these savings.
How Much Can You Save?
1. Save 20% Instantly by Avoiding VAT
VAT on yacht charters in France is 20%-that’s a huge chunk of your budget. But under an ECPY contract, VAT disappears if your itinerary takes you across international waters (like sailing to Italy or Spain).
Real Example: VAT Savings
A yacht charter fee of €200,000 would normally be hit with €40,000 in VAT. 🛥 With an ECPY contract and a route that crosses international borders, VAT is waived. ✔ Instant savings: €40,000.
Bottom line? If you start your yacht charter in the South of France and cruise to Sardinia, there’s zero reason to pay extra VAT-we make sure our clients don’t.
2. Cut Fuel Costs by 40-50%
Fuel is a major expense in yachting, but under an ECPY contract (applicable in France and Monaco), you can cut fuel costs by 40-50%. Conditions? The yacht must be operating under an ECPY transport contract, and the itinerary must include an international voyage or a recognized transport route.
Real Example: Fuel Tax Savings
We chartered a 50-meter yacht for a client departing from Antibes, France, to Porto Cervo, Sardinia. ✔ Because it operated under an ECPY transport lease, it qualified for duty-free fuel. ✔ When refueling in France before departure, it purchased duty-free fuel. ⚠ If the yacht had stayed within French waters or changed course, the fuel would have lost its tax-free status.
That’s €40,000 back in your pocket-just for structuring the charter the right way.
Broker insight
Not every yacht or route qualifies, the boat has to be ECPY-registered and the week has to start from a French port. That is exactly what we check before a client falls for a yacht that cannot actually give them the saving.
Daniel Asmus
Owner, Charter Broker, Active CYBA Member, IYBA, ECPY
What to Consider Before Booking
Yes, while the savings are substantial, an ECPY contract requires:
- A pre-approved itinerary (no last-minute changes once onboard)
- Changes cannot be made once onboard.
- The yacht to depart from France and arrive in another country
- A commercially registered yacht (we’ll find the right one for you)
- The contract to be issued by an ECPY-accredited broker (that’s us!)
If you’re serious about saving big while still enjoying the ultimate yacht experience, let’s talk. We’ll handle all the details to make sure your charter is set up for maximum savings and smooth sailing.
Which Yachts Qualify for an ECPY Contract?
- It could, in principle, be any type of yacht, but since the itinerary includes a long-distance transfer (crossing international border at sea), we recommend a motor yacht of over 30 meters (100 feet).
- The yacht must be registered under a commercial flag.
- The owner and manager must approve ECPY contract use.
- Departure from Antibes, Nice, Cannes, or Monaco with a crossing into international waters.
