Importing Boat US to Canada

stroke · Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 10 City: Port Coquitlam

I am trying to figure out the best way to have a boat imported. Here are the details and a few questions.

Seller is located in West Michigan and I am in B.C. Canada.

Can the boat be shipped across the border to me without the importing being done at that time..So that i could do it at my local customs once the boat is in my hands?

Its a 2006 vlx which i believe is 8'6 wide..Would this fit on a train or should i just look into having it shipped on a flatbed truck?

Do I need to check for liens or anything with a used boat?

thanks

howabouttheiris · Addict Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 677 City: Austin, TX

I would just hire a broker.

With the weak US dollar, there are plenty of folks specializing in this and they are getting squeezed for price.

Get ready to convert your MPH speedometer to KPH and all kinds of silly crap. Smile

abrider · Criminal Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 98

A while ago I bought a boat in the US and imported it to Canada.

My wife and I looked into it fairly extensively, so we feel we know the process.

The steps are as follows:

1. Make the deal for the boat. Typical savings are about 40%. We saved about $15000.

2. Make a deal for transport to the border. We arranged to meet the old owner half way, but you can arrange to have the boat shipped to the border. From Michigan to BC would likely run about $3000. I would tend to drive it myself if you have the vehicle and the time. As far as I know you cannot get the boat shipped across the border. It just cannot be done.

3. At the border, be prepared for extensive investigation into the purchase deal. I had complete documentation including invoice, but I did not have canceled cheques. They grilled me for three hours about this. Eventually I had the bank FAX in copies of the money order transactions.

4. Once they are satisfied with a purchase price, you pay GST on it.

5. You initiate the paperwork to get the trailer licensed in Canada. This will involve a statement of non-recall and a later inspection by an agent, usually Canadian Tire, but there are others. This costs about $300.

6. You drive the boat across the border.

7. If the boat was registered with a number in the US, you can keep this, or re-register in BC, or for a new boat register the boat for a number. This is free.

8. Have fun in your boat.

ace__05 · Newbie Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 35 City: Milton

deepcove · Soul Rider Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 296 City: Vancouver

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

leviwynnyk · Posted: Jan 19, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject:

Crazy Thread, this is what I am lookign to do. I know the savings will be big. Is it that much cheaper to buy new as well? Abrider and ontrider, what did you guys buy? Are you happy with it?

abrider · Criminal Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 98

abrider · Criminal Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 98

edit for double post

abrider · Criminal Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 98

oshensurfer · Posted: Jan 21, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

stroke, According to you, you were purchasing my boat through a broker? What gives? Is this just an information gathering question?

Bambamski · Posted: Jan 21, 2008 11:44 am Post subject:

If you purchased the boat in 05 there probably weren't that many going over the border. With the dollar around Par there's around 25,000 vehicles going over the border per month now. They don't have time to take three hours to find out what you really paid for the boat or car.

I brought back a car just before Christmas. I had to have a bill of sale, and a title. I paid the GST based on the purchase price of the car and I was done in 15 minutes. It's sooooo worth it buying big ticket items in the US right now. Until Canadian dealers figure out they can't rape us anymore I won't hesitate to cross the border again. I don't mind paying 3-5k more, but when you can save 15k or more on something that costs around 50k that's crazy.

The trailer will need to be inspected on a Federal level which is done by crappy tire which costs around 200 bucks. The boat doesn't need an inspection at all. Just the serial number, title and proof of ownership and take it down to the registry (boat) which is a federal one, not provincial and you're done.

Good luck.

leviwynnyk · Posted: Jan 21, 2008 11:46 am Post subject:

I spoke with the local Moomba dealership and they are asking about $55k-$58k for a loaded XLV, which is "close" to what they are going for in the states. I'm also looking at an 06 Supra 24SSV loaded for about $49k located in the states.

So many options, I'm just not sure what direction to go. I think I have narrowed it down to Malibu VLX, Supra 22 or 24, Moomba XLV or Centurion 22 or 23. Still that's a lot of boats to pick from.

stroke · Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 10 City: Port Coquitlam

oshensurfer · Posted: Jan 21, 2008 12:37 pm Post subject:

stroke, cool! At first I thought I was getting the run around until I noticed the date you posted the thread. Embarassed