Importing from Canada

[tricyclerob]

I'm considering buying a 28' sailboat on a road trailer that's in Canada and importing it into the states.
Has anyone done this and can you offer a practical explanation of what's involved? I assume there's a separate procedure for the boat and the trailer.

I did determine that as the boat was originally manufactured in the US, no duty is involved, but the manufacturer is long out of business and I'm not sure what documentation would be required for that.

I'm been to the US Customs website and left there more confused than when I started.

Has anyone been down this road?

Thanks,
robj

 

[dph123]

I bought a US manufactured boat in BC. I hired a customs broker because it seemed too hard to do on my own. It cost me about $500 but was smooth and easy.

 

[capta]

As far as I know you wouldn't even need to declare the boat at the border, if you were certain it was US built. I wouldn't expect any problems with US Customs. I'm sure they have the resources to get the facts, if needed.
The trailer, on the other hand could be a whole different ball of wax. Perhaps trailers in the US are built to different roadworthy standards than Canadian ones, I don't know.

 

[CATBOAT WILLY]

You need to do more research before trying to register this boat. If I recall correctly, trailers in Maryland are 'titled' as are boats. I would check with you Maryland DMV as to what they will require for documentation for the trailer & boat registration and what you should pay sales tax on.
Here in Florida if you buy a used boat you pay sales tax on the boat's hull but not it's engine or trailer if listed separately on the bill of sale. Trailers here in FL are registered but not titled. Nevertheless, I'd spend a little time down at DMV and understand exactly what paper work you'll need with your state agency. Customs and Border Protection will be a whole different issue and their rules seem to be changing on a daily basis.

 

[tricyclerob]

Well, I spoke with Md. DNR.
According to them, for titling the boat in Maryland, I need the title signed over, and a bill of sale.
And pay the sales tax of course… Almost seems too easy.

They do not need any paperwork from US Customs.

OK, 1 down… Now to tackle MVA [not the most user friendly] and Customs.

robj

 

[tricyclerob]

Update from Md. MVA regarding Trailer.

Now it's getting a little tricky.

They need a signed title and if there is no place on the title for the value of the trailer, a bill of sale.
They also want the "port documents" but could not say what exactly they were. They indicated they would be given to me by US Customs.

Now the tricky part. Normally you can get a temporary transportation license tag, in order to transport a vehicle from a seller, prior to inspection, titling, and obtaining tags in your name.

However, they will not issue temporary tags without the title and the "port documents". My question then was, if the seller does not let me use his tag, how do I get the trailer from his residence in Canada, to the border to get the "port documents". They had no answer.

So, the seller will have to let me use his trailer tag, [providing it's current] to transport the boat at least to the border. But if no further than that, I would have to get the title and "port documents" to Md.MVA to get a transport tag.

Makes perfect sense.
I'm thinking unless the seller will trust me to send the tag back to them, [or destroy it] the deal looks like it would be off.



I can't wait to see what US Customs wants.

robj

 

[hensonrick5]

This may sound a bit simplistic but what about just pulling the boat without a tag? If you get stopped (highly unlikely), show the bill of sale and explain what you are doing. It seems impossible to have all the trailer license paperwork BEFORE taking ownership of it!

I know. I know. How silly of me to expect any government entity to provide clear guidance.

Oh, I can't wait for the Customs answer.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

I live in Canada and have sold a trailerable boat to a US resident. Importing the boat was no problem. The trailer presented some issues at the border crossing. It has to have the original sticker on it from the manufacturer that specifies, date of manufacture, weight rating etc. The trailer will come with a title.

As far as I know boats in Canada don't have a provincial title. They can be documented federally but it's not usually done on smaller boats. Smaller boats have a federal licence with a set of numbers on the bow. The federal licence indicates right on it "this doesnot prove ownership of the vessel". Usually the bill of sale with the hull number is used as proof of ownership on these boats.

Bob

 

[tricyclerob]

The trailer presented some issues at the border crossing. It has to have the original sticker on it from the manufacturer that specifies, date of manufacture, weight rating etc. The trailer will come with a title.

Bob,
What was the solution to the trailer issues? I checked with the seller and they said;

There is no sticker on the trailer stating the manufacturer or date or weight. The trailer was custom built for this boat but it does come with a serial # RR27660. This # is on the trailer title along with, the brand is shown as 'none'', make is 'road' model is ' tan', color is 'black', weight of trailer is 660 pounds, 2 axle. I can send you a copy of the Trailer license (title) if that would help.
Plate # is D6529E Permit # G6021367 is also shown on the title

Thanks,
rob jones

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Hi Rob, the sticker was quite faded, some bits missing, but after some grumbling they accepted it.
We bought a used trailerable boat from Ithica NY, the trailer was only 2 years old but a pressure washer had removed the sticker, we could not import the trailer into Canada. The boat dealer was able to have the trailer manufacturer replace the sticker, that took a month !

The problem as I'm sure you know is that there never seems to be a rule, it depends on the customs officer and how they want to enforce it.

Can you ask the boat owner to bring the boat across and you will buy the boat on the US side ? It is often better to ask forgiveness than ask permission.

Good luck, Bob

 

[tricyclerob]

I may have lucked out as the trailer was built in 1979 and the Customs considers the trailer a Motor Vehicle.
DOT form HS-7 has a block for;
"The vehicle is 25 or more years old or the equipment was manufactured on a date when no applicable Federal Motor Safety Standard or Theft Prevention Standard was in effect.".

I think I might has a pass on the trailer.

With the boat, the engine has to be EPA approved. On EPA form 3520-21,
there is a block for 'Marine Compression Engines", " manufactured before emission standards started to apply"

There is a schedule for " Application of New Emission Standards for Certifying Engines and Vehicles". That indicates that Marine Compression-Ignition Engines, under 19 Kw built prior to 1/1/2000 are exempt.

As the boat is a 1979, I think I have a pass on that as well.

This is fun….not.

rj