Hey folks!
Just wondering if any of you Canadians on the board who have recently bought a boat from the states and brought it back could give me a heads up on what is involved?
What papers are needed? How much did you have to pay in duty fees? Is your warranty still valid? etc...
Any info would be much appreciated!
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2012 Skeeter ZX190
2012 Yamaha 175 HPDI
I sold a boat to somebody in Canada. It was not fun to say the least. Just call the border they will inform you of everything you will need.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by racefan »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I sold a boat to somebody in Canada. It was not fun to say the least. Just call the border they will inform you of everything you will need.</td></tr></table>
That was helpful...
2012 Phoenix 721/250 Pro XS
http://www.riv.ca/VehicleAdmissibility.aspx
Here is a start. registar of Imported Vehicles. This will get you started this will apply to the boat trailer. I have not purchased on across border but a buddy has a few times. Limit the cash you have on you will cause headaches at border. I thought the border needed 48 or 72 hours notice before you bring it across for searches on the vehicle(leans, etc) I believe. Need an ownership for the trailer. I heard some states this is not required but may be wrong. From the research that I did another person I know bought from a dealer and not nearly as many headaches as buying private. Some people also use the servce of an importing agency for a fee to pick up the boat and deliver. Less headaches as they take care of the border issues
2004 Ranger 520 vs
2004 Mercury 225 Optimax
My brother in law moved to Canada a few years back and when he went up there with his boat, he had no problem. I don't think there is any special regulations. It's not like you're smuggling anything into Canada.
2018 G3 Sportsman 17 90 SHO
A little bit of misinformation here. I bought a boat from Thayer's Marine in Ct in 2009 (thanks Richie!) and towed it back to New Brunswick Canada myself. If you buy from a dealer it makes it a bit easier but there really isn't a difference. If you Google the subject you will probably find more info (there's a guy who has a blog dedicated to this topic but I can't remember the link). Here's what I know:
- you don't need to advise the border 72 hrs ahead of time like a car
- make sure that the seller gives you separate bills of sale for the trailer and the boat. This is because you have to pay both Provincial and GST at the border for the boat, but only GST for the trailer. You will have to register the trailer with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles and get it inspected at Canadian Tire. Once you do that, you pay Cdn Tire the PST and the inspection form gets faxed to the RIV. Make sure that the boat meets CSA standards (newer boats do)
- the biggest pain was getting a temporary license for the trailer in order to tow the boat from the State you buy it from to Canada. Theoretically you should do this for every State you pass through (yeah right!), but I went to the DMV in Ct the day I bought the boat and got one there only. I figured that if a cop stopped me in Maine, at least I would have a license with the trailer. You could try towing the trailer without this license, but if you get stopped I'm not sure what would happen
- don't forget about insurance for bringing the boat home
- when at the border, all you have to do is tell them you purchased the boat. They will ask you to go inside and you will have to pay the taxes as I mentioned before. Make sure you have room on your credit card or debit account! Have both bills of sale ready. My advice is to make sure that you present bills of sale which reflect the true value of the boat and trailer. Lots of guys get caught every year trying to pay less tax by asking the seller to reduce the price on the bills of sale only. It's easy for the border officials to look up that info. Once you pay the taxes you're on your way! You have a certain period of time before you need to get the trailer inspected.
- all that's left to do is get your trailer registered in your Province. All you will need is the form back from the RIV
It sounds like a lot of work but it wasn't too bad, and I probably saved about $8 to $10k buying my boat for the States for my Stratos 294XLE (like a 25% discount compared to what local dealers were quoting). Good luck!
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by alleycat »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">http://www.riv.ca/VehicleAdmissibility.aspx
Here is a start. registar of Imported Vehicles. This will get you started this will apply to the boat trailer. I have not purchased on across border but a buddy has a few times. Limit the cash you have on you will cause headaches at border. I thought the border needed 48 or 72 hours notice before you bring it across for searches on the vehicle(leans, etc) I believe. Need an ownership for the trailer. I heard some states this is not required but may be wrong. From the research that I did another person I know bought from a dealer and not nearly as many headaches as buying private. Some people also use the servce of an importing agency for a fee to pick up the boat and deliver. Less headaches as they take care of the border issues</td></tr></table>
I forget to mention that I would suggest working out the purchase price ahead of time and getting a certified cheque or money order instead of cash (good point alleycat)
I bouight my Gambler used in Nashville and brought it up to Ontario. You will have to pay Ontario provincial tax and HST (I believe). When I brought the boat up I had to pay provincial and federal (before the HST) for a total of 14% at the time. Now I expect it will be 13%. They seemed more concerned about the trailer than the boat/motor. You will have to have the trailer inspected and you have 30 days to have that done. Here Canadian Tire is the "agency" that does that (at least that was the case then).
You'll also have to get an Ontario plate for the trailer.
Best would be to call Canada Customs and find out the current information and what paperwork you'll need.
Seems I was typing as NB Basser was posting.
I had a lot to type! I was going to say HST as well, since that is what we have in NB, but I wasn't sure which other Provinces have it. At the border they will split it up between GST and PST for the trailer. Cheers.
I have been in involved in bringing a boat in to Ontario 3 times. (2 of my own and one for a friend) The hardest part was the drive down and back. In addition to the above statements make sure you get a receipt that shows a price for the boat and trailer seperately and includes the boat serial number, engine serial number and trailer VIN. Make sure the serial numbers on the boat ownership and the boat match exactly. Same thing for the trailer. You would be surprised how aften they don't. Also bring a copy of the ad or link to the web site that shows the price, especially if you get a really good deal. If the border services doesn't agree with the price you paid you may have to prove it and that can take some time. Even then they may "assess" their own value (based on fair market price). Border services will mostly be interested in just collecting the taxes but sometimes they will do a thorough search so don't try and bring anything back undeclared. Make sure your paper work is all in order, be prepared to pay the HST and the RIV fee and it should be pretty smooth sailing.
Very important to make sure the vin sticker vin# is readable, the last boat I imported had a scratch that rubbed out 2 didgets and caused me some grief. Dont pay the pst at the boarder do it at the dmv as they wont give you a plate if you dont pay them the 8%(they wont care if you paid it to customs). Dmv will also want the weight of the trailer dry,manufacturer can provide it or they might make you take to scales (but you wont have a plate yet)
Canadian importing a boat from the USA
Hi
I live in Saskatchewan, and bought my boat in Wisconsin, also helped friends buy boats in South Dakota and Minnesota.
Be aware that some states require you to pay their sales tax on a used boat, even if you are exporting it out of that state or country. I am pretty sure that Illinois and Indiana are that way. Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota do not require that you pay the states sales tax if exporting out of state. Something to be aware of and check into before signing on the dotted line.
At the Canadian border, you WILL need 2 bills of sale, one for the trailer, and one for the boat, motor and any contents that come with the boat. MAKE SURE that all items that come with the boat are listed on the bill of sale, such as fish finders, trolling motors, electric anchors etc. Also include the serial numbers for these items on the bill of sale, if possible.
Make sure that the trailer has a date of manufacture sticker, as well as a compliance sticker on it. The compliance sticker is usually located on the inside of the Y frame up front. It will state size of tires etc. The date of manufacture sticker is usually on the back right side of frame. It should give a model number and date made. Two years ago the border personal also required a letter of recall from the trailer manufacturer, stating that there were no recalls on the trailer. We obtained those letters via phone call or email and fax to the manufacturer, giving them the serial number of the trailer etc. I have heard this is no longer required, but something you should enquire about with Canada Customs.
At the border, you will pay gst and pst on the boat/motor/ contents bill of sale. You will pay gst on the trailer(at least that is how it works here) When you get the trailer inspected at Canadian tire, and then register the trailer, you will pay the pst. At the border you may pay the customs agent the $207 RIV fee, which they will submit, along with the paper work to the gov't. In a few days you will get a notice from them stating that you can now take the trailer to a CTire store and get it inspected. You can also cotact RIV Canad over the net once you get home and fill out the forms and pay them using your credit card, and they will send your documentation via email stating you can get your trailer inspected. It may take a day or two longer the customs route but sort of easier to do.
The South Dakota boat had a bank lien on it, registered with the state, so my friend and the seller went down to the state registry office and got that cleared up, so the guy had a clear title to the rig. The other 2 boats were thru dealers and they held the clear titles. It is something you NEED to clarify before handing over any money. I would suspect each state may be different so check into it.
All 3 of us paid cash for our boats, so that involved having more than $10,000 cash when we crossed the border. MAKE SURE you tell them you have that much cash, because it you don't, they will/may sieze it. They are looking for money laundering, drug money etc.
Also make sure you have some emails, written proof from the other parties that you are going down to possibly purchase a boat. When you state that you have a whole pile of cash on you, they are going to take all parties in the vehicle inside, separate you and get you to empty your pockets and count every penny. They will also be doing that to all people, as well as ask questions of all to make sure the stories add up. If anyone happens to have a criminal record, best leave that person at home! It is kind of intimidating, but just answer the questions honestly, no bull ****. . You can probably expect your vehicle and contents to be searched while you are inside. You are also supposed to stop at the Canadian side and delcare you are taking that much money across as well.
If you can sort it out with the seller and your bank/his bank it is probably easier and safer to pay for it that way. Just be sure you end up with a 2 bills of sale, or some other proof that you own that boat and you bought it from who you said you did.
The whole process is pretty easy, as long as you stay above board and do a little homework. DON"T try and get a false bill of sale to try and save some pst and gst at the border. Our local customs port puts out a monthly happening story in the local paper and it is amazing how many people try to save 200-600 bucks in gst/pst fees, and get caught, end up paying about a 40% fine on the real purchase price, as well as the gst/pst. Also, the one guy we bought a boat from got a call from the border, asking if this other party had bought a boat with new fish finders etc on it. The guys had left his place, with a wad of cash and were headed to Cabelas on the way home, and bought new finders, and then tried to say they came with the boat. didn't go over very well at the border.
As stated in some of the other replies, figure out how you can have your new boat insured for the drive home. I phoned my agent with the serial numbers etc and was covered. I had arranged for some insurance before we left. Think it cost me $11 and was good for 7 days.
All in all, a good experience.
Other than tax and the RIV fee are there any other fees or duties to be paid?
I know when I order anything off the internet from the US there is a certain percentage they add on... does that not apply here?
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2012 Skeeter ZX190
2012 Yamaha 175 HPDI
I sold my last boat to a guy from Canada. He brought a certified check and filled out a couple bills of sale.
The biggest problem was with my bank. They are very rural and hadn't ever seen a certified check from Canada. It made me a little nervous. They ended up putting a hold on my funds for like 30 days, but it all worked out in the long run.
It also helped that the guy that bought my boat assisted me after he got back with questions etc.
That being said, next time I would do direct deposit or cash. Just my 2 cents.
ReelBigJ
2000 Champion 193
200 Mercury EFI
Another thing is some states dont issue title ownerspips for trailers and the mto will want one otherwise you will be asked the have the dmv in the state you bought from send a fax verifying they dont issue title. I printed a copy of the oklahoma govt website home page that stated they didnt title trailers but this wasnt proof enough,the required a fax. You would think they would know which states dont have title and just except a bill of sale for the trailer.
I sold a cruiser to a man from just north of LSC, close to Lake Huron. The authorities up there were more concerned with the trailer than the boat. I had to send a notarized affidavit stating that the boat/trailer were a package deal, and were paid for together. All in all from my standpoint it went really smoothly.
(606)305-1956
just do not crack any jokes as you come across the border...
do not say things like...Whew, they did not find it!
darn Border agents have no firggin sense of humor.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by BeeNix »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I sold a cruiser to a man from just north of LSC, close to Lake Huron. The authorities up there were more concerned with the trailer than the boat. I had to send a notarized affidavit stating that the boat/trailer were a package deal, and were paid for together. All in all from my standpoint it went really smoothly.
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Same when I brought the Gambler across; they were far more concerned with the trailer, they spent more time with it than the boat/motor.
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