What does your boat cost,
landed at your port?
A custom aluminium catamaran built in Vietnam is typically around 30–40% cheaper by the time it reaches you — even after ocean freight, import duty and VAT or GST — than the same boat built in Australia, the UK or Europe. Choose a vessel and destination below to see the figures and exactly how they're built up.
That's roughly 29–43% less than a Australian-built equivalent, which would land at an estimated $1,003,000–$1,254,000 at Sydney — including its own taxes.
Indicative estimate only — not a quotation or tax advice. Freight, duty and GST depend on the final specification, HS classification, route and current rates. Confirm with a licensed customs broker; request a formal Lux Marine quotation for firm figures.
A 48ft cruising catamaran, landed worldwide.
Ex-works $570,000 at our yard. Below is the estimated all-in landed cost at a representative port in each market, against a locally-built (or, in the Gulf, European-built and shipped-in) equivalent. Figures are indicative.
| Delivered to | Duty + tax | Est. landed · Lux Marine | Comparable build | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 5% + 10% | $710,000 | $1,129,000 | ~37% |
| New Zealand | 5% + 15% | $746,000 | $1,082,000 | ~31% |
| United Kingdom | 1.7% + 20% | $781,000 | $1,231,000 | ~37% |
| France | 1.7% + 20% | $783,000 | $1,163,000 | ~33% |
| Italy | 1.7% + 22% | $797,000 | $1,182,000 | ~33% |
| Germany | 1.7% + 19% | $779,000 | $1,153,000 | ~32% |
| United Arab Emirates | 5% + 5% | $670,000 | $1,118,000 | ~40% |
| Saudi Arabia | 5% + 15% | $739,000 | $1,228,000 | ~40% |
| Qatar | 5% + 0% | $641,000 | $1,067,000 | ~40% |
Gulf comparisons are against a European-built equivalent shipped to the destination port, as there is no comparable local aluminium-catamaran building industry.
Landed cost, step by step.
The price of the finished vessel at our yard in Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu. This is where Vietnam's advantage sits — the same hull costs far less to build here than in Australia, the UK or Europe.
Ocean transport to your port on a yacht carrier or as breakbulk, plus the in-house cradle and marine transit insurance. Added to ex-works, this gives the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value.
A percentage of the CIF value, set by the destination country and the vessel's HS classification — typically modest (around 1.7% in the EU/UK, 5% in Australia and the Gulf).
Charged once at clearance on the landed value (CIF + duty). This is usually the largest add-on — and a locally-built boat pays the same VAT or GST on its sale price, so it's not a Vietnam-only cost.
Because VAT/GST applies to a local build too, the saving comes almost entirely from the lower ex-works price. Freight and duty close part of that gap — but on a vessel of this size, not all of it. A 48ft cat that's $570,000 ex-works lands near $710,000 in Australia, against roughly $1,129,000 for an Australian-built equivalent — a gap of about a third that holds up across markets.
The financial logic, answered.
Is a Vietnam-built boat really cheaper once you add shipping and import duty?+
What's included in the landed cost?+
How is a catamaran actually shipped?+
Do I end up paying VAT or GST twice?+
What about a small tender or dinghy — is that cheaper too?+
Are these figures a quotation?+
All figures on this page are indicative estimates for general guidance only and do not constitute a quotation, an offer, or financial, legal or tax advice. Freight, import duty and VAT/GST vary by vessel specification, HS classification, shipping route, port, exchange rate and current regulations, and change over time. Comparable-build prices are market estimates, not specific competitor quotes. Always confirm duties and taxes with a licensed customs broker in the destination country, and request a formal Lux Marine quotation before making any decision.