Importing a used Hunter 25 into Canada

[RayJayDan]

I have just purchased a Hunter 25 and will be driving it across the border. I live in AB but the shortest route to drive is to bring ot through BC. Does anybody know if the import duty or sales taxes are different by province. I live in AB and the boat will be kept in AB. Also any complications I should be considering or planning for?
Thanks

 

[finding41]

Importing to Canada

I just got my Mac 26D from Ohio in Nov. I had to pay 8% at the Ontario border. The rest of the tax (HST)you pay when you register it.
Get separate receipts for both the boat and trailer! The trailer will have to registered separate. In my case I had to take it to Canadian Tire and have a safety done. (Make sure the lights work and the chains are there.)
Don't forget that both the boat and trailer will have different titles. Make sure the title says it has no leans. (On both of mine it is printed right on with all the other info)
CHECK the boat for anything that shouldn't be coming over the border. (guns, drugs...) I had a list of items included with the boat purchase. Ie: 4 sails, 8 life jackets, Flair gun with 8 flairs....
The list was used as a check list of what was to be picked up with the boat and at the border for import.
Smile and be polite.

 

[mitiempo]

You pay only the HST of the province you live in. There is not any duty on a US made boat.

Finding should have paid a total of 13% - 8% Ontario and 5% GST.

In Alberta there is not any provincial tax so you should only have to pay 5% GST.

I am not sure what implication there is by entering through B.C. but it might cost you 7% to do so.

 

[Richard Bryer]

When we brought our boat into Ontario from Ill. 9 years ago. we found there were some different policies on what taxes were collected at customs depending on which customs office we cleared at. It is well worth checking out what exactly will be collected at each feasible crossing. It may also influence your decision as to registration vs provincial licensing. make sure you understand the rules well and do your research.

 

[mitiempo]

Federal registration (bluebook) will require measurement by a qualified person and could get expensive. Provincial registration is free - at least in B.C.

The taxes should be the same either way. And there is no duty.

 

[Richard Bryer]

You can do the tonnage measurement yourself now- pretty easy:http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/oep-vesselreg-registration-faqs-2235.htm#q1-04.

Again I say- check the chosen ports of entry and understand the rules

 

[finding41]

Mitiempo: I had to pay one of the taxes at the border when I brought it over, the other at the office when I registered it. Yes it equals the Ontario 13% HST. BC and AB might be different and require the total HST at the border? Either way the tax man is going to get you.
As for tonnage, I used the info from the sailboat data website. I think I just printed the Mac 26D page. My buddy that brought it over for me filled out the paper work at the border. (It couldn't be that hard, really)

 

[joker460]

This site can help. http://boating.ncf.ca/buy-usa.html

I imported my boat from Lake Lanier GA To Wilson NY and sailed it across Lake Ontario.

First port of entry I had to pay the HST.

A few Friends that brought boats over a few years ago only paid the GST.
Now the Province is reviewing all registrations and those same friends have some explaining to do now to the Tax Department.

Good Luck

 

[mitiempo]

As for tonnage, I used the info from the sailboat data website. I think I just printed the Mac 26D page. My buddy that brought it over for me filled out the paper work at the border. (It couldn't be that hard, really)

It seems to be easier for small boats. Fellow I work with just bought a 50' and had to have a tonnage surveyor measure it for bluebook registration.

 

[Benny17441]

Don't know the answer to your question but could not help wonder how is the valuation of the boat made? While there might be different percentages in play it would seem to me that it all ties back to the valuation method. Is the contracted purchase price the indicator of value or is it a valuation book used by the taxing authorities. Usually there is a minimum acceptable purchase price per year model and it would perhaps be wise to inform yourself on what that minimum value would be to keep it in mind when looking for a boat and conracting a sale/purchase price.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

I have imported a boat and trailer. The boat is easy. The trailer can be a pain. The trailer needs to have the original manufactures id plate with serial number and stating if complies with all federal safety regulations, also indicates max load etc. On our trailer (only 5 years old) this label had been pressure washed off. We had to get a new one from the trailer manufacturer before it could be imported, that took a month because they wanted to do a title search before issuing the new serial number plate. After that it was easy !
good luck, Bob

 

[RayJayDan]

I have imported a boat and trailer. The boat is easy. The trailer can be a pain. The trailer needs to have the original manufactures id plate with serial number and stating if complies with all federal safety regulations, also indicates max load etc. On our trailer (only 5 years old) this label had been pressure washed off. We had to get a new one from the trailer manufacturer before it could be imported, that took a month because they wanted to do a title search before issuing the new serial number plate. After that it was easy !
good luck, Bob

Thanks tao all for your replies and thanks Bob - advice I will certainly take to avoid the same problem.

Cheers,
ray

 

[shanker]

I brought my 260 over last August and a Mac X last October. It's actually pretty straight forward, just be organized and document everything. I'm from Red Deer and brought both up through the Eastport border crossing in BC.

I have all my notes, I will send you a PM to discuss.