Does anyone have experience hiring an important agent to import parts etc for a Vessel in Transit?  
We are purchasing a boat being built in France, and interested in hiring an Important Agent to help us :
Purchasing Parts: Solar, Electronics, Dingy, Safety gear etc in the US. and have a shipping container sent to France.
Goal:  To get the upgrades we want shipped without paying the VAT tax. We are under the impression since the boat is a "Vessel in Transit" , that all parts etc associated with the boats will not be subject to VAT as long as we get the boat out of the EU within 18 months.  
Any experience good , bad or ugly and any recommendations of a good important agent would be much appreciated.
Thank you kind souls!
Sasha