importing to canada

[the_anarchy16]

Any of my fellow Canadians buy an American boat and import it home? They are soooo much cheaper and I live in Windsor so I'm rate at the border. No idea what kind of legal/tax nightmare this could be?

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: importing to canada

The best advice I can give you is to phone the local border crossing. Much safer than relying on feedback from other members
I don't believe there is any real difficulty. You will need a bill of sale ( ie proof of ownership ). The trailer will involve more paperwork than the boat.

 

[82rude]

Re: importing to canada

The best advice I can give you is to phone the local border crossing. Much safer than relying on feedback from other members
I don't believe there is any real difficulty. You will need a bill of sale ( ie proof of ownership ). The trailer will involve more paperwork than the boat.

yes get the skinny from the border people.its not really that hard or complex.i live 5 minutes from the border and shop for deals all the time over there.saved a few grand when I bought my etec .gas is cheap also compared to our ripoff prices.

 

[goose25]

Re: importing to canada

try this site lots of import info http://boating.ncf.ca/stl.htm

 

[rbh]

Re: importing to canada

Yup, boats one thing trailers another.
Check out the RIV site for the trailer as you need to get it inspected, the boats super easy, pay the taxes and register at the
Gov Canada office downtown (where you do your EI claims usually)

 

[CheckFire]

Re: importing to canada

I have bought and imported 3 boats from Washington now.

Make sure you have the Title for the boat and trailer.
Try to get separate bill of sales for the boat and trailer.
Print out the ad from EBay , Craigslist ect.

Crossing the boarder just declare both items , fill out some paper work
and pay the GST part of the tax.

One major tip , make sure the serial number on the trailer can be seen in full.
For BC , the smaller trailers do not need a safety inspection but the serial number
needs to be visually inspected by the insurance broker.

Once the boat is in Canada , apply for the License (about a 4 week wait).
The Title or registration can be gotten at any Service Canada outlet from what I understand
but is Optional for BC (cost about $250)

Oh , one more big tip, really make sure the hubs are greased well. And have RV coverage from CAA.

 

[skyking897]

Re: importing to canada

Like the others have said, it's no big deal, just do your homework prior to buying and showing up at the border. +1 for calling your local border agency and checking out the RIV site. I've imported 3 boats from the US (1 from Florida, 2 from Michigan)and it's been no different at the border than if I bought a big screen TV. Pay the taxes and you're on your way. Service Canada has the forms for registering the boat and Canadian Tire does the RIV inspection on the trailer. And as someone already said, print out the ad for the boat because they will check on line to verify the sale price(they did on mine)and you are not trying to pull a fast one. On another note, not all states issue titles for trailers, so check and ask your local Service Ontario (vehicle licensing office) what you need before you buy. If you have issues with this last item, PM me.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: importing to canada

good stuff... I actually thought about starting a business exporting boats to Canada but never acted

Another tip... In most states you can arrange a police check on pretty much anything for a minimal cost or free... Would be good to KNOW that it wasn't stolen with fraudulent paperwork BEFORE pulling into customs

 

[82rude]

Re: importing to canada

good stuff... I actually thought about starting a business exporting boats to Canada but never acted

Another tip... In most states you can arrange a police check on pretty much anything for a minimal cost or free... Would be good to KNOW that it wasn't stolen with fraudulent paperwork BEFORE pulling into customs

yes good thought .I bought a used sled a few years back in flint mich and I had to produce a clear title at u.s.a. customs which they stamped and then I brought said paper work and bill of sale to can. customs and away I went .no taxes paid as I think they were too tired at 3 a.m and still laughing that I paid money for a kawasiki sled.joke was on them when I sold it for good cash later though,lol.http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/cougar1985/bth_HPIM0041-1.jpg

 

[StinkinShip]

Re: importing to canada

I am in the process of doing it now. If the trailer its on is 15 yrs old or older it will be very easy. All you will need to do is go to the Secretary of State office with your Drivers licence and your Car insurance and they will give you a 10 day trailer permit. The boat isn't a problem it is the trailers that go with them they care about. Once at the border you show your bill of sale. (Which could be a lot smaller in declared value if the owner is nice) you pay your 10 to 15 percent tax. Then you drive home and register the trailer at your leisure.

If the trailer is newer than 15 yrs you will have some issues. First you have to pay $200 online to the R.I.V. to inspect it at the border. Pay your tax or duties. Then drive it to Canadian tire to be inspected (More $$$$) Then they will tell you if it is up to "Canadian" standards. If it is not you have 45 days to complete repairs or upgrades. Which costs more money$$$$$$$$$ Because if it isn't completed in that time frame the trailer has to be destroyed or driven back to the States. Once repairs are done you have to register it with more dollars. You can't just do the homemade trailer 20$ THING!!!!! YOU HAVE TO PAY THE WHOLE SHABANG!!! Plus more Tax.
Major Money Grab!

If anybody above mentioned these facts please forgive me.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: importing to canada

Years ago I used to take a canoe across as I went fishing. Was offered more than a new one here for an old banged up one to forget it up there.

 

[the_anarchy16]

Re: importing to canada

great guys. starting to think its worth going homemade trailer route or taking my existing (adjustable) trailer over to get the boat. Good to know the boat its self is no big deal. Any advise about the legality of towing a newly purchased boat/trailer that obviously wont have a license plate home? Also how do you know if there are any leans on the boat in Michigan?

 

[Gibbles]

Re: importing to canada

I helped get a boat up there, mostly they cared about the trailer and not the boat so much.

 

[skyking897]

Re: importing to canada

Just a couple of things, the inspection at Canadian Tire shouldn't cost anything as it is included in the RIV fee. And as stated, if the trailer is over 15 years old, no RIV fee or inspection. And yes, it can be registered as home made if no RIV inspection is required.
Last one I brought over was an '09 and the inspection at CTC took all of 15 minutes. The guy didn't even walk around the trailer, he only looked at the tires so he could write down the size on the paperwork. When I did this, I just showed up on a Saturday morning without an appointment and told the guy behind the counter what I wanted. He proceeded to tell me there would be a 3-4 hour wait and I told him, fine, I'll just unhook it right in front of that bay door and turned around to walk out. Before I got to the door he called me back and said I'll send the guy right out. Minutes later, I'm driving away with my paperwork in hand.

 

[StinkinShip]

Re: importing to canada

Just a couple of things, the inspection at Canadian Tire shouldn't cost anything as it is included in the RIV fee. And as stated, if the trailer is over 15 years old, no RIV fee or inspection. And yes, it can be registered as home made if no RIV inspection is required.
Last one I brought over was an '09 and the inspection at CTC took all of 15 minutes. The guy didn't even walk around the trailer, he only looked at the tires so he could write down the size on the paperwork. When I did this, I just showed up on a Saturday morning without an appointment and told the guy behind the counter what I wanted. He proceeded to tell me there would be a 3-4 hour wait and I told him, fine, I'll just unhook it right in front of that bay door and turned around to walk out. Before I got to the door he called me back and said I'll send the guy right out. Minutes later, I'm driving away with my paperwork in hand.

Sounds like you caught the technicians on one of their lackadaisical moments wanting to get rid of you. Don't count on that if you get a real hard-case or catch somebody on a bad day. Sounds like you were lucky is all.

 

[Air Traffic]

Re: importing to canada

The lein is easy, just go to a Michigan secretary of state office when you purchase the boat, have the owner sign it over and get a new Michigan title, for $20.00 they print it up right at the office. If they show a secured party on the title it will have to be signed off before they will issue another title. Now the problem with just getting a title signed off from a seller is there may be more than one title out on the boat/trailer an older one without showing a lein but a newer one issued if the seller used the boat for collateral after the original purchase. The safest way to make sure there is no lein or a rebuilt title is to make the sale at the secretary of state office.