Importing from the US

Can you get the forms to import the boat and just fill them out
yourself? I can't think of any other purchase that requires advance
notice. If paperwork is not sent in advance, what do they do? I'm also
wondering how Canada Customs could check liens against an American boat.
(In Canada, you can't check liens against licensed boats.)

noone cares wrote:
> I imported a 30' Morgan from Mt. Clemens to PEI.
>
> Called a broker, cost about $ 75. He had templates for the paperwork,
> took me about 5 minutes to fill out, sent the paperwork to the border
> crossing 48 hours ahead and estimated crossing time, let the broker
> know as well.
>
> If you have any questions, call the border (the one you plan on
> crossing at).
>
> Its not that tough, fill out the papers the broker sends you, make
> sure its sent in ahead of time (they need to check liens and such,
> like a car, it is considered a motorized vehicle, even a sailboat if
> it has a motor), then you pay GST.
>
> This is on the assumption the boat is manufactured in the US. Free
> trade applies, if its made elsewhere, there will probably be duty and
> more paperwork.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 04:00:33 GMT, boaterBob <None.RemoveThis@null.com> wrote:
>
>> I've been researching importing a used sail boat ( 26ft) from the US for
>> pleasure use. Crusing government web sites hasn't yielded much yet. I
>> would appreciate any comments or stories.
>>
>> I would especially like to hear from someone who has bought a boat
>> privately in the US and imported it into Canada. Anyone have an experience
>> like this web site: http://boating.ncf.ca/buy-usa.html ?
 >> Stay informed about: Importing from the US 

they hold it at the border for 48 hours.

As I said, importing a motorized vehicle needs 48 hours notice.
Importing a car requires 48 hours notice.
Importing produce requires advance notice (2 hrs is generally
sufficient).


Call and ask how they check liens, I didn't really care, just followed
the rules. Makes life simpler.

I suggest a broker, made it less complex for the boat, because I don't
know the ropes. (and I wasn't driving myself, if your sailing it home,
can probably go without the broker, but for $75, I wouldn't).

I imported a vehicle from New Jersey, drove it home, so didn't bother
with a broker, but called the customs (US) and got directions for the
paperwork they wanted, again in advance. It went smooth.

Up to you how you do it, what can they do? Probably refuse entry, and
it either has to go back or be demolished. Then you can say you have
experience



On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 15:55:02 -0500, ad995 DeleteThis @ncf.ca (Pat Drummond) wrote:

>Can you get the forms to import the boat and just fill them out
>yourself? I can't think of any other purchase that requires advance
>notice. If paperwork is not sent in advance, what do they do? I'm also
>wondering how Canada Customs could check liens against an American boat.
>(In Canada, you can't check liens against licensed boats.)
>
>noone cares wrote:
>> I imported a 30' Morgan from Mt. Clemens to PEI.
>>
>> Called a broker, cost about $ 75. He had templates for the paperwork,
>> took me about 5 minutes to fill out, sent the paperwork to the border
>> crossing 48 hours ahead and estimated crossing time, let the broker
>> know as well.
>>
>> If you have any questions, call the border (the one you plan on
>> crossing at).
>>
>> Its not that tough, fill out the papers the broker sends you, make
>> sure its sent in ahead of time (they need to check liens and such,
>> like a car, it is considered a motorized vehicle, even a sailboat if
>> it has a motor), then you pay GST.
>>
>> This is on the assumption the boat is manufactured in the US. Free
>> trade applies, if its made elsewhere, there will probably be duty and
>> more paperwork.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>>
>> On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 04:00:33 GMT, boaterBob <None DeleteThis @null.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I've been researching importing a used sail boat ( 26ft) from the US for
>>> pleasure use. Crusing government web sites hasn't yielded much yet. I
>>> would appreciate any comments or stories.
>>>
>>> I would especially like to hear from someone who has bought a boat
>>> privately in the US and imported it into Canada. Anyone have an experience
>>> like this web site: http://boating.ncf.ca/buy-usa.html ?
 >> Stay informed about: Importing from the US 

Its not Canada Customs, its US Customs that checks for liens. They
won't allow it out of the country without advance notice.

I missed that line in the question.

On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 15:55:02 -0500, ad995 DeleteThis @ncf.ca (Pat Drummond) wrote:

>Can you get the forms to import the boat and just fill them out
>yourself? I can't think of any other purchase that requires advance
>notice. If paperwork is not sent in advance, what do they do? I'm also
>wondering how Canada Customs could check liens against an American boat.
>(In Canada, you can't check liens against licensed boats.)
>
>noone cares wrote:
>> I imported a 30' Morgan from Mt. Clemens to PEI.
>>
>> Called a broker, cost about $ 75. He had templates for the paperwork,
>> took me about 5 minutes to fill out, sent the paperwork to the border
>> crossing 48 hours ahead and estimated crossing time, let the broker
>> know as well.
>>
>> If you have any questions, call the border (the one you plan on
>> crossing at).
>>
>> Its not that tough, fill out the papers the broker sends you, make
>> sure its sent in ahead of time (they need to check liens and such,
>> like a car, it is considered a motorized vehicle, even a sailboat if
>> it has a motor), then you pay GST.
>>
>> This is on the assumption the boat is manufactured in the US. Free
>> trade applies, if its made elsewhere, there will probably be duty and
>> more paperwork.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>>
>> On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 04:00:33 GMT, boaterBob <None DeleteThis @null.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I've been researching importing a used sail boat ( 26ft) from the US for
>>> pleasure use. Crusing government web sites hasn't yielded much yet. I
>>> would appreciate any comments or stories.
>>>
>>> I would especially like to hear from someone who has bought a boat
>>> privately in the US and imported it into Canada. Anyone have an experience
>>> like this web site: http://boating.ncf.ca/buy-usa.html ?
 >> Stay informed about: Importing from the US 

I phoned the CBSA today and waded through voicemail and 2 levels of
supervisors. Finally I was told I could sail up to a marine port of entry
and the friendly customs agent would collect the PST and GST and have on
hand the paper work needed to get it licensed, as long as I had a receipt
for the boat . It sounds too easy.

The next question I have is how do I avoid paying state taxes as well as
PST/GST?

The Washington State sales tax summary (found it on google) says sales tax
must be collected on all sales sold at a company's place of business.
Specifically for boats the place of business is any location in Washington
the boat is delivered from. There is an exemption for some out of state
residents or foreigners but British Columbians don't qualify. (Albertains
and Quebecer's do)

the second half of my question is if I state in the purchase agreement that
the sale must close at a Canadian port of entry, can I avoid Washingtons
sales tax because the broker exported it?

Thanks guys
 >> Stay informed about: Importing from the US