Boat purchase

[sunnylein]

What is the best way to get a boat across the border .
Boat seller in the States - Buyer in Canada !
Boat registration ? Trailer registration ? Money ? Survey ? Broker ?

[hardee]

I can't say for sure, but it has been done plenty. I think a broker is the easiest way but there are plenty of folks who have done it both ways that should be speaking up here.

I think you would want to be sure that both the boat and the trailer are properly registered.

Good luck with the endeavor.

Harvey
SleepyC

[C-Val]

I have brought 2 C Dorys into Canada

Both boats were brought in by water. I tied up to the White Rock pier and phoned in. I declared what I had and they took the information of the boat
asked for a payment of taxes. It was so easy

The trailers were a different story altogether! One trailer I could not bring in and the other was a matter of declaring it when I brought it in. Trailers fall under the motor vehicle act and you have to have all the paperwork including if there were any recalls on it. The serial numbers have to be visible and stamped on the trailer or you can't bring it in. (they often fall off)

When buying you have to have a separate invoice for boat and trailer.

[MikeR]

Just recently member "swf" posted their experience buying in the US and bringing into BC in the following thread, on page 14:
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=2643&start=195

"Some purchase notes that may be of interest to my fellow Canadians looking to buy in the US.

The process is very easy. No broker is needed. The most stressful part was driving on Interstate 5. You must have the original title to the boat and to the trailer. The CBSA (Canada Border Security Services) will look at the price you paid so be prepared to prove you paid fair market value. (The agent read all the printouts of all the postings on this forum regarding the sale of Lorelei). You cannot save any tax by using a fake low price on your purchase document (the Bill of Sale) Not that anyone has ever done this in BC.
In BC you can get short term insurance to insure the trailer to get it home. This cost me $46. The original WA plates are still on it, but the seller did not need them back.
I wired the purchase money to the buyer's bank account directly from mine. This cost me $50. I had to wait most of a day after the sea trial for the money to show up in his account, before I got the titles (and the key to the trailer tongue lock). I drove directly to the border and paid my GST and PST on the boat and GST on the trailer. I was done in 15 minutes. The CBSA never even looked at the boat. You can use a credit card or a wheelbarrow of cash to pay the Government.

The remaining steps are to pay the RIV fee of $200 and get new registration issued for the trailer in BC, which I think only involves checking the VIN and issuing the document.

Oh, and taking more of my money including the PST on the trailer, insurance for the trailer and marine insurance on the boat..."

[chimoii]

Have a word with PBH in Alberni. They do this all the time and may even do it for you for a nominal and stress relieving surcharge. They are really good people.