USA to Canada

[Scottmel80]

Has anyone bought a boat in the USA and brought it back to Canada?? Is it worth it?

 

[scoutabout]

Re: USA to Canada

Hey Scott - welcome to iboats.

The boat in my signature is a Scout Dorado 175 which I bought in North Carolina and trailered back to Toronto - a 2800km round trip. Believe it or not, the US price (used) in the US was worth me buying a one-way plane ticket to Wilmington, NC, renting a Uhaul truck, driving 2 hours to the owner's house, going to the nearest lake for a sea trial, then back to his bank to transfer funds, then pay for the gas and rental mileage for the drive home.

Planning for the border was more of a hassle than actually crossing it. No two gov't officials on either side of the border could give me the same story about documentation requirements.

Then there was the hassle of inspecting and licensing a US trailer for Canadian roads (because the two countries are just soo different.). And of course there was the various taxes to pay as well.

But, when all was said and done, I actually enjoyed the experience, saved some (but not a lot) of cash and got exactly the boat I wanted (it's an extremely rare make and model in my neck of the woods and I searched online an area covering the entire north eastern/central continent for a used one in good condition at a good price).

I thought it was fun anyway and would do it again - my wife has other names for it...

Hmmm - I see online there's a nice classic Lyman down in Florida looking for a good home...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: USA to Canada

Do your planning ahead of time and talk with folks at the border crossing. Lots of boats in Minnesota ultimately end up in Canada. Where you cross and the folks that handle the paperwork at those crossings determine how easy it is to make the trip.

 

[444]

Re: USA to Canada

I bought a boat in the deep south and brought it back to Canada with no problems. Me and a couple friends drove down there and brought it back. It was a long drive but a lot of fun. Normally I wouldn't have gone so far, but this was the specific make and model of boat I wanted, the seller had spent a lot of time and money restoring it and I got it for a good deal.

USA border doesn't care anything about you taking a boat/trailer out of the country, unlike a car which has to be "exported", something which I've also done several times before. The Canadian border treats the boat like a pair of running shoes. They just want to see a bill of sale so they can charge you tax. For the trailer they want to see a bill of sale and a copy of the previous owners title or registration card or whatever they use in the state you bought it from. Then they'll charge you the tax on it too.

It was worth it to me because it was the exact vintage boat I was looking for, down to the make and model and the price was great. I wouldn't have gone through all that to just buy something like a generic bowrider that you trip over so many of for sale here.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: USA to Canada

As 444 mentioned the boat is usually easy to import.

The trailer can be the tough part to import/insure without the proper documentation.

 

[1216bandit]

Re: USA to Canada

It sure is worth going State side!!! Much greater selection and huge savings (for me anyways!). This is a great time to buy as our dollar is pretty much at par. I knew the make and model I was looking for and the selection was almost overwhelming compared to what was available here in Ontario. Just make sure you get the title and not just the registration for the boat/trailer as they are not the same thing.

 

[444]

Re: USA to Canada

Just make sure you get the title and not just the registration for the boat/trailer as they are not the same thing.

Depends on the state. Not all states use titles for trailers. Some just use registration cards.

 

[dozerII]

Re: USA to Canada

I have brought two 70's aluminum Starcrafts back to Canada. One from Minnisota and one from North Dakota. Both were very easy. The second one took less than ten minutes to clear customs. Make sure you have a seperate bill of sale for the the boat, (outboard) and trailer. If the trailer is more than 15 years old it is even easier to get across and will not require an inspection at Crappy tire. You will have to pay GST and PST on the boat and motor at the time you cross the border and the province will ding you for the trailer when you register it.
Glen

 

[oops!]

Re: USA to Canada

I know this is an older thread....but i just want to add for future reference.

the above posters are correct...

usa does not care, and canada just wants the tax.....(pst and gst)

to re cap what the above mentioned...

make sure you have a bill of sale for the boat and a seperate one for the trailer.
make sure you have titles for the boat....and a seperate one for the trailer.
have a valid canadian insurance "in transit sticker for the trailer....once you are on canadian roads....you need insurance.

The last point is not mentioned above....it is important to avoid the Canadian customs from hassling you.
make sure there is a craigs list add for the boat on line ...dated before you sign the bill of sale and transfer.
Sometimes the boats are so cheap in the states.....the Canadian customs will not believe the low price you paid. and a hassle begins.

If customs, can verify a price on line dated before the bill of sale....they know it was advertised at that price..or close.
But if you come home with a 25 footer that looks good on the out side, for 3k,,,,,and no advertised price. They will make up a price according to Nada, and charge the tax on the value quoted.

 

[skyking897]

Re: USA to Canada

Didn't realize this was an old thread till oops! mentioned it, but I will add my .02 also. I've brought 3 boats back from the US, one from Florida and two from Michigan. Nothing to it, all Canada Customs wants is their tax money. Check with border services on this side before going and make sure you have all your paperwork in order. Probably the most important, seperate bills of sale for boat and trailer and a copy of the ad for the boat if not bought from a dealer. Only problem I had last time was I knew more that the border agent. Kind of pissed her off when I would cite rules to her and showed her where she was making a mistake. Anyway, I saved over half the cost of buying the same boat here in Ontario and will do it again when looking for my next boat.