candian new boater

[lontr35]

i would like to know if fellow Canadains has bought a boat in the U.S. and transfered it here in Canada, and what their experiance was. just want to know if buying is worth the hassle, if any. thanks !!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: candian new boater

a lot of canadians have been doing it.

 

[Marcq]

Re: candian new boater

Yes it's worth the hassle, mater of fact I just picked up a 1994 Bayliner in Leesburg Florida, last year a Aquasport in NewYork. Just make sure that you get all the paper work needed (titles). Don't forget you're taking a chance when you can't inspect the boat. Last year I was stuck at custom for 1h30min because they didn't believe the price I paid for the boat, so they checked on the net at places like Nada and charge me for the value of the boat . The biggest hassle I find is the trailler, here in my province anyway, it's a pain in the neck

A funny thing happen this year with the Bayliner at custom, just has they were finishing inspecting the boat, a lizard fell of the boat, and alive guess it wanted to defect

Marc..

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: candian new boater

As Marc said, its not too big a deal. You definitely need a few things tho to streamline your border crossing deal.
You need the original title (NOT a photocopy) for both the boat AND the trailer. As well, you should have a legitamite bill of sale signed by both you and the seller (not just him) and properly dated, etc. Make sure there is a reference to the outboard (if applicable) with a serial no. reference if possible.
After that you are set. As Marc pointed out, if the price doesn't 'look' like it matches the boat you have 'splaining to do Lucy'. They aren't stupid. I too had a friend bring back a boat which seemed a little too good a deal. He was held back for a few hours....and deserved it to be quite honest.
Get your paperwork in order and play straight. You will have no problems.
As to the boat you select....choose wisely and do you due diligence on it to make sure it will not be a boating headache.
Good luck, happy shopping and keep us posted
BP

 

[malfar]

Re: candian new boater

Piece of cake. I bought a 2000 Starcraft I/O last year from NY and brought it in to Canada. It was a breeze. Went down looked at it and was going to leave a deposit but couldn't find the VIN on the trailer - only the serial # which was the last 5 numbers of the VIN. VIN was on a decal which had faded out. Stopped at Customs and checked first - the said get a letter from EZ-loaders saying that the trailer with serial 12345 was manufactured with VIN 99999999912345. Got a letter from my insurance agent saying trailer was insured under my policy, then went to NY Licence bureau and got a 30 day trip permit for $10.. Got to Customs - no need to stop at US Customs - some will say you need to stop there, but that is incorrect for boats. Different for cars. Go to Can Customs - show them the bill of sale - for boat and trailer. You need two Bills one for boat/motor and one for the trailer. Pay tax based on Bill of Sale- no duty. They really don't care about the boat - they didn't even look at mine. They only care about the trailer because the trailer is subject to federal inspection by the Registar of Vehicles - inspected it and verified serial number. Then you pay for an inspection by the Registar of Imported Vehilces - like $179 - Customs filled in the applicationform and in about a week you get a letter tellling you to go for an inspection - CTC - they look at the trailer, not really a safety check - their biggest concern was to look at the tires and write down what the inflation pressures were - and tell me that US trailers don't have side relfelctors so to buy some stick-ons- $5.00 - didn't even watch me put them on. What a waste of money. With that you can go get your plates - up until that point I was using my NY trip permit. Last year you had to submit an application ($5.) to Transport Canada to get a load plate to replace the US one - they've now dropped that too.

It was a breeze and I saved $ 4-5000 bucks on the boat.

 

[Marcq]

Re: candian new boater

They really don't care about the boat - they didn't even look at mine. They only care about the trailer because the trailer is subject to federal inspection by the Registar of Vehicles - inspected it and verified serial number. Then you pay for an inspection by the Registar of Imported Vehilces - like $179 - Customs filled in the applicationform and in about a week you get a letter tellling you to go for an inspection - CTC - they look at the trailer, not really a safety check - their biggest concern was to look at the tires and write down what the inflation pressures were - and tell me that US trailers don't have side relfelctors so to buy some stick-ons- $5.00 - didn't even watch me put them on. What a waste of money. With that you can go get your plates - up until that point I was using my NY trip permit. Last year you had to submit an application ($5.) to Transport Canada to get a load plate to replace the US one - they've now dropped that too.

It was a breeze and I saved $ 4-5000 bucks on the boat.

Here in Qu?bec you don't even pay for the inspection, just go to any Canadian Tire with the right form that you can download from the net and they don't charge you anything. Also if your trailer is more then 15 years old you save like $200.00 on import taxes.

Marc..

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: candian new boater

Apparently it's getting simpler and easier. I recently heard from (2) Canada Customs agents that the U.S has now dropped their pre-export inspection routine and acompanying paperwork....even for vehicles. It was creating too much general paper work and putzing around given the amount of vehicles/boats/rv's etc pouring north across the border with the current dollar strength.
I imported a late model truck in January and it was pretty painless. Neither the U.S or Canadian side came out of the building to even inspect it. That of course isn't always the case (hopefully).
Malfar, you're right about Canadian Tire. I think they are the 'go to' facility nationally to do the final inspection/compliance stuff. On my truck it took about 15 minutes and ba-da-bing....ready to insure and registrar.
Although I bought my boat locally last year I'm pretty sure the next boat I buy will be from the U.S and I'm hoping its even easier by then.
All Good
BP