Buying a US boat????
 

Hey Guys!

A buddy of mine is looking at heading to New Jersey to pick up a boat [Donzi ZX] he found on a website, I have never purchased a boat in the US and neither has he, is there anything he should know?, I already told him he will have to let customs know a few days ahead of time when he will be crossing the border, and will need a title, proof of sale, etc, etc. but, I wasn't sure what taxes and duties he would have to pay?, I assume he would have to pay at least 1 provincial tax [GST OR PST]?, maybe both?, but, I didn't think there was any "duty" on a boat, but, I am not an expert, so, I thought I would post here and see if anyone here had some input, or any other info that would make it easier to bring it back.

Thanks again for the help, and Have a Safe Christmas!

Michael

I sold a boat to a canadidan guy. He came across with a bank check drawn on my local bank. We sea trialed the boat and he wanted it, so I gave him a detailed bill of sale, listing all equipment. He paid for the boat at my bank and they verified the funds.
He took it back across the border with no problems. He did have to pay sales tax at the border. Provincial I think.
I think that with the economy the way it is, Canada is getting more used to seeing these boats coming over.

Michael,

If it's on a trailer, start by going to www.riv.ca
Email me your phone number and I'll give you a call on Monday. I'm a customs broker.

I brought a boat across last March into B.C., really easy. Make sure you have a detailed bill of sale (boat description, hull number, trailer vin#, seller info, buyer info, $ amount for boat and for trailer, signed by both parties), and the titles for boat and trailer. You don't have to call ahead to the border, you'll have to pay taxes on the boat at the border and the RIV fee for the trailer. After you get the trailer inspected (Canadian Tire can do it), you'll have to pay taxes when you insure it.
There is no duty, just GST and PST.
Hope this helps.
Call your local Canadian Border Services, they were most helpful.

Call the broker and he will help!!

You dont have to notify US customs. it isnt like a car.

Trailer has to go through RIV. Make sure it is admissible. Get a recall letter before buying IMO. www.riv.ca is a good website as per sutphils comment.

Good luck.
Adam-- TFX International.

Thanks guys!, I will check out the website and read it over, I would gladly email you Sutphils, but, I cant email through this website [I think I need the "super duty, extra upgraded membership" to do so, LOL].

I bought my Stinger out of CT last year. It is easy to get the boat across as I hired a Customs Broker Firm to do the paperwork so I could just cross the border easily.
However...customs has a burr up the a$$ about the trailer. Here's the deal...

Bringing a boat into Canada is no problem as many states do NOT have ownerships to boats, but they do have titles to TRAILERS! This was my experience too. Customs were adament about the trailer and the proper documentation had to be in order (Go see a Cutoms Broker Firm to do the paperwork, it's worth the money and hassle) Once onto Canada you MUST take it to a local dealer listed on an "Approved list" by the government which include most Canadian Tire stores, to get the trailer certified for Canada. A mechanic comes out and fills out some paperwork on the axles and weight capacity of the trailer, and then you must take that form to the Licence bureau to get your Provincial Plates. You also get a sticker from the Border guys that must be placed on the trailer as it can me into Canada from abroad. This sticker must be placed next to the build plate of the trailer.


I know..........lots of rules but really if you do the paperwork, you will do ok.

I found it hilarious that the Customs could care less about the boat???????All they were concerened was for the trailer, OH......and of course that you paid the Taxes. (damn government anyway!!!!!)

Hope that helps and good luck.

PS. if you travel in some states - MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PERMITS FOR OVERSISE IF YOUR TRIALER IS WIDE! I needed to get three state permists for three staes I travelled through and could only travel during daylight hours.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Good luck.

Sounds like a broker is the way to go?, are they expensive?, I dont mind a bit of a hassle, if its just "grunt work" [filling out forms, filing paperwork, etc] I dont mind doing that on my own, however, if bringing it back WITHOUT is a gonna be a complete nitemare then I will probably go with a broker, will try and get ahold of Sutphil and see what he can do for me, thanks for all the input guys, its appreciated!!

My buddy hauled my boat back with his Freightliner. I used his broker as he hauls house trailers (oversised loads about 42-48 feet long and very wide) so it was easy. I can't remember what the fee was, but it was reasonable...

You can find a broker anywhere at a border. His broker was a small house down the street from the Fort Erie Bridge and frankly the entire street was lined with brokers. There are over a dozen of them right then on one street across the street from the Office at the Bridge.

Pick one :ernaehrung004:

Michael,
Can't send you an email, you need to change your settings to allow emails.