rdambros Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Hi Guys, I have an opportunity to buy a boat in the USA, but I have heard some horror stories from friends about bring the boat and trailer over the boarder. So, if anyone has some advice on how to do this with the least amount of problems, please post your information, advice or experience here. I have the seller getting a compression test at the dealer and he has already told me that he owes money at the bank. So, I will meet him during the week and attend at the bank to pay of his loan. If there is anything that I am missing, please let me know. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Just be careful that the trailer, boat and motor ALL have clear titles....here in NYS from the best of my knowledge only the boat and trailer would have titles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTHM Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Google is your freind for this. There is a page that outlines all the steps to do. It is very easy to do, I did it Jan 1 of this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tknohpy Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 I did it as well and was surprised how easy it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroutnMuskieHunter Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Do your research and don't be afraid to call Canada Customs directly to talk to an agent...I bought my boat in New York last April and there were no horror stories encountered at all...I was in and out of the Canadian Border Crossing office at 1000 islands within 14 minutes!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdambros Posted December 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Just be careful that the trailer, boat and motor ALL have clear titles....here in NYS from the best of my knowledge only the boat and trailer would have titles. How do you know that the title is clear on the boat and/or the trailer. I figure if the bank loans money to finance a boat, they take the title to all three. Correct me if I am wrong. Therefore, when I pay off the loan at the bank, I get clear title for all three? I am off to google to see what I can find on importing boats. If anyone has a website they referred to in their search, post it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 How do you know that the title is clear on the boat and/or the trailer. I figure if the bank loans money to finance a boat, they take the title to all three. Correct me if I am wrong. Therefore, when I pay off the loan at the bank, I get clear title for all three? I am off to google to see what I can find on importing boats. If anyone has a website they referred to in their search, post it here. Get the serial numbers, go to the RIV website and then call and give them the numbers and they will tell you if they are clear or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 How do you know that the title is clear on the boat and/or the trailer. I figure if the bank loans money to finance a boat, they take the title to all three. Correct me if I am wrong. Therefore, when I pay off the loan at the bank, I get clear title for all three? I am off to google to see what I can find on importing boats. If anyone has a website they referred to in their search, post it here. GOOD QUESTION...... On the titles (boat and trailer) their will be a lien holder stated if money is owned and it's not a clear title...if so the seller needs a letter from the lender stating that the loan was paid in full and they no longer have a lien on that title....if there is no lien, the area on the title that list lien holders will be blank....AND PLEASE remember a registration is NOT a title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 If possible... Come back threw quebec... You save enough on taxes at the border to cover the cost of your trip and cover the vehicle transfer fee on your trailer... Also get the bill of sale separate for the boat... Motor... And trailer and get the seller to put most of the cost on the motor.... This will also save you tax money... Me and my dad have both bought boats in the us it's so easy I can't believe more people dont do it Also method of payment usually has to be cash unless you wanna stay for 48 hours for the bank to clear an "international check"... Bull right... But if it's less than $10,000 you don't have to declare the cash.... If its over that you have to fill out a form... No biggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Oh yeah... I bought a 1998 Lund explorer1600 with a 40 Honda tiller and dad bought a 2004 ranger 620t 115 Johnson tiller... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landry Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 Oh yeah... I bought a 1998 Lund explorer1600 with a 40 Honda tiller and dad bought a 2004 ranger 620t 115 Johnson tiller... Very good info here - except I doubt RIV will do anything re: titles for you. RIV only deals with trailer recalls and you getting it safetied (sort of) at Canadian Tire. I have done it twice and it was easy. PM me and I will give you more info or my phone # if you need help. It is worth it - you should be able to save a ton!!! Landry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smally21 Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 its pretty easy check out a good website patsboating.ca this topic has been done to death lots of good info in previous threads good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdambros Posted December 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Just to have all the information in one place, I found some useful websites: http://www.boatdealers.ca/magazine/Importing_Boat.aspx http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/imp-mar-eng.html http://boating.ncf.ca/buy-usa.html http://forum2.quintefishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=14669 http://www.used-boats-canada.ca/item/canadians-guide-buying-and-importing-us-boat If I get a chance, I will post a summary of my findings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addy79 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 If possible... Come back threw quebec... You save enough on taxes at the border to cover the cost of your trip and cover the vehicle transfer fee on your trailer... Also get the bill of sale separate for the boat... Motor... And trailer and get the seller to put most of the cost on the motor.... This will also save you tax money... Me and my dad have both bought boats in the us it's so easy I can't believe more people dont do it Also method of payment usually has to be cash unless you wanna stay for 48 hours for the bank to clear an "international check"... Bull right... But if it's less than $10,000 you don't have to declare the cash.... If its over that you have to fill out a form... No biggy Hey MM, good info here... Why is it cheaper to come in through Quebec? Putting most o fthe cost on the motor will save money in taxes? Why? Are Canadian black Book values lower on Outboards vs. the actual boat itself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bow slayer Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 there is no tax payable on a outboard only on the boat,thats why you get seperate receipts for boat,trailer and motor. Place as much value as you think acceptable on the outboard and only pay HST on boats value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smally21 Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 i dont know about the quebec thingy... States that don`t have titles will have a document that you can print off that proves they are non title states (helps with lack of title explanation) i`m not sure why you are mentioning black book values - each of my transactions were on actual sales prices (sorry if this has changed) 72 hrs only required on land based vehicles - its quite clear on the website though there are definitely border staff that think otherwise... keep all your forms and documents they come in handy in a year or so when the govt asks if you paid tax on the boat, which, of course, you had paid to them during the import process.. don`t mess around too much with total price (split it up any way you like) - a coworker was bringing a motorcycle across claimed to have paid xxx$ - the customs officer had the ``ebay you have won this item`` sheet printed off in their hand!! clever.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 My reply from the other thread. Picked up our Lund Pro Sport from Michigan, super simple process. Although there are a few things you need to make sure you have in order. Seeing that Michigan is a non-title state (For anything under 20ft) you'll need to have a letter from the bank stating there are no liens on the boat(If there are liens, you won't be allowed to bring it across) RIV fee and the taxes are paid at the border (On the boat), you'll pay a bit more at the MTO when you go to plate the trailer. Very easy process, we were in and out of customs within 5 mins. Make sure the trailer also has the inspection sticker/serial on it (Located near one of the tail lights), you'll need when registering it here. Also make sure you declare anything over 10k in cash if going across the border. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addy79 Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Thanks for all your input guys, much appreaciated. I made a call to Canada customs as well. As mentioned, seems like a pretty simple process. Now I just need to find a good boat. It's tough to really judge a boat from a website and I'd hate to drive all the way to Michigan to find out the boat is a dud. I guess that's the gamble I'll have to take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Same thing I've wondered about. It's a little tougher to haggle when you've got a 5-6 hour drive home as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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