Traveling to Tawain

Buying and importing your yacht from Taiwan usually entails at least one trip to the boat yard by you or a designated agent. We recommend you take the trip personally, as it is a worthwhile experience to see the yards in operation. The information presented here will give you an idea of what to expect and the services your Hernandez Yacht Sales (HYS) Consultant will be performing on your behalf while in Taiwan along with the associated costs. While Hernandez Yacht Sales cannot attempt to be, or replace, your personal travel agent, we hope this information will be useful and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can.

During your initial trip to Taiwan, you will be engaging the professional services of a qualified naval architect, a translator and a negotiator who will represent you during your visit to the yards. Specific details regarding itineraries and meeting agendas during your stay in Taiwan are worked out on an individual basis, but generally, you can expect the following:

• Although Taiwan boat yards are closed during the weekends, you should arrange to arrive in Taipei on Saturday or Sunday to give yourself time to recover from jet lag and rest prior to your visit to the yards.
  
  
• A consultant from HYS will meet your flight and see that you get to the hotel you have selected. The Imperial Hotel is in a convenient location, but a list of many other fine hotels is presented later in this document. Your personal travel agent may also have other suggestions to better suit your needs.
  
  
• Our business will begin Monday morning and will require two to four days, depending on your specific situation. Each morning, the HYS consultant and our naval architect will pick you up at your hotel and discuss the day’s specific agenda and itinerary.
  
  
• We will take you to the boat yard where your yacht will be constructed for a tour of the facilities and to meet the yard’s representatives. If more than one yard is capable of constructing your yacht, we may visit several so that you will feel comfortable with our recommendation and with your final selection.
  
  
• After seeing the various facilities, you will meet the HYS consultant and your naval architect to discuss various hull configurations and your needs regarding interior layout, capacities and other important customization issues. You should have a clear idea of your wants and needs and come prepared to answer some detailed questions and make some serious decisions as well as a few compromises. Your consultant and architect will work with you to fit your specifications into the selected hull design, without compromising seaworthiness, structural integrity or the safety of your vessel.
  
  
• Armed with the above information, we return to the boat yard where we will negotiate the contract to build your yacht. Although you will be present during negotiations, the Hernandez consultant will represent you directly to the yard using the leverage we have to protect your interests and ensuring you the best possible price and quality. Hernandez Yachts has been conducting business with Taiwan boat yards for the past 20 years and they are well aware of our follow through procedures that ensure the terms of the contract negotiated are strictly adhered to. Your naval architect will also be present during negotiations to work out any necessary construction details.
  
  
• Construction schedules and quality control inspection schedules will be arranged. For your protection, quality control is performed by an inspector who is independent of the yard. After all details have been negotiated to your satisfaction, you will sign the final contract.
  
  
• A “pro forma” invoice, backed by the Taiwan Boat Builders Association, will be issued and the negotiated price will be fixed at current exchange rates, protecting you from international monetary exchange fluctuations during the course of construction. 

Costs

The cost for the above representation and professional services is approximately US$1,500.00, payable prior to departure. The exact cost is dependant upon exchange rates and season of travel and will be provided to you as arrangements are finalized. If everything in Taiwan is to your satisfaction and you sign a contract to build your yacht, Hernandez Yacht Sales will deduct this cost from the final cost of your vessel.