Red diesel for superyachts in the UK

In Great Britain a private yacht may take red diesel on a declaration of the share used for propulsion, with full duty paid on that share.

HMRC's Excise Notice 554, updated in July 2026, says that superyachts will almost always be private pleasure craft for the purposes of red diesel, whether they are privately chartered or not.

A private yacht in Great Britain may take red diesel on a declaration of the share that will be used for propulsion, and pays full duty on that share. A commercial yacht that is not at the exclusive use of its owner or charterer may take red diesel without a declaration, on evidence of that status. The concession does not apply in Northern Ireland.

We arrange fuel at a fuel berth, from a barge or by road tanker, whichever suits the port.