HOW TO IMPORT BOAT TO CANADA
01 January 2012 00:00 Filed in: Boating
There is nothing a boat exporter need to report to the US officials. The following applies to a boat importer crossing the Canadian border.
I do not know how the boat import is done on the water but from my many border crossings on land and on water, I would suggest doing it via land border crossing. Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) seems to be better prepared for clearing major imports on land.
You need to have a bill of sale with all the details including HIN and price, as well as the deed/title already transferred. All supporting documents like an ad with boat description, a seller offer, and anything else to support a declared purchase price ... especially if one has gotten a great deal … could prove to be helpful.
You need to be there in person, or hire a bonded broker to represent your interests at the border (big waste of money, imho).
Just drive to the crossing, clear your person, and they move you to the office area. You can also arrange with the hauler to meet up at the office. The officer checks the HIN, purchase price, and you pay GST and PST ... 13% total if you reside in Ontario. You pay it right there, and they accept major credit cards. Really painless process if all papers are in order ... 30 mins and you are done.
Importing a transport trailer is a bit more complicated ... ask me for details if this is your case.
If the boat is in Canada for a period of time longer than 6 months, it needs to be licensed. You license the boat with, and get a license number from, Transport Canada. I think it was free, and the license is valid for 10 years.
As far as Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is concerned ... nothing to do. Amazingly, nobody asked for nor checked boat's compliance with Canadian standards. Once the boat is in water, it must be equipped with CCG required and Transport Canada approved safety equipment as specified for your type of boat.
I do not know what would be involved when registering the vessel with CCG ... but you do not have to do this if you are planning to stay in the waters of Great Lakes and tributaries.
Please verify the current procedures with CBSA here.
I do not know how the boat import is done on the water but from my many border crossings on land and on water, I would suggest doing it via land border crossing. Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) seems to be better prepared for clearing major imports on land.
You need to have a bill of sale with all the details including HIN and price, as well as the deed/title already transferred. All supporting documents like an ad with boat description, a seller offer, and anything else to support a declared purchase price ... especially if one has gotten a great deal … could prove to be helpful.
You need to be there in person, or hire a bonded broker to represent your interests at the border (big waste of money, imho).
Just drive to the crossing, clear your person, and they move you to the office area. You can also arrange with the hauler to meet up at the office. The officer checks the HIN, purchase price, and you pay GST and PST ... 13% total if you reside in Ontario. You pay it right there, and they accept major credit cards. Really painless process if all papers are in order ... 30 mins and you are done.
Importing a transport trailer is a bit more complicated ... ask me for details if this is your case.
If the boat is in Canada for a period of time longer than 6 months, it needs to be licensed. You license the boat with, and get a license number from, Transport Canada. I think it was free, and the license is valid for 10 years.
As far as Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is concerned ... nothing to do. Amazingly, nobody asked for nor checked boat's compliance with Canadian standards. Once the boat is in water, it must be equipped with CCG required and Transport Canada approved safety equipment as specified for your type of boat.
I do not know what would be involved when registering the vessel with CCG ... but you do not have to do this if you are planning to stay in the waters of Great Lakes and tributaries.
Please verify the current procedures with CBSA here.