Once you identify the boat of your dreams, the next step is researching everything you need to know about shipping a boat from the USA to Canada. Knowing all the rules and paperwork required makes your shipping more manageable and faster.
You may want to ship a boat or carry cash to buy the boat in the US. The first step to getting your boat into Canada is declaring any cash you carry to purchase the boat. You must also get a trailer for transport and pay the customs at the border.
Sailing the boat on international waters without going through the necessary steps will be challenging. There are significant territories between Canada and the USA. The distance between the countries is also huge. This article mentions the steps to ship your boat to Canada and how to transport it.
Let us get started.
Purchasing a boat and shipping it to Canada can be challenging. However, working with an expert makes it easier for you. Before your purchase, understand the entire process of getting the boat to shipping it to Canada.
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The major steps you will undergo in your boat purchase are;
If you pass the Canadian border on buying the boat in the USA, ensure you declare the cash at CBSA and US-CBP. It takes about an hour, which is worth the wait because the declaration makes your US interview process less stressful.
Once you do the declaration process, you can download the form online. Also, note that you should declare the amount you will use for your boat purchase. For example, if your CBSA forms read that you entered the USA with $20000 but bought a boat worth $16000, you should show the receipts.
Once you cross the border and with a declaration form, you are safe to buy your boat. Ensure you hire professionals like marine mechanics to check the ship’s condition before purchasing.
Once you identify the boat to buy, get a Certificate of Title for proof that it belongs to you. It should also show that the asset belongs to the owner and that there are no unpaid loans. The lender keeps the title when you purchase items on loans until you complete the payments.
Also, check that the seller’s title matches their name with the personal ID to ensure there aren’t any liens in place. Once you confirm the purchase of the boat, the seller will sign off and give the certificate to you.
When signing the bill, ensure the seller separates the boat itself, the motor that powers it, and the trailer. Also, please enter the correct serial number of the ship, engine, drive unit, and trailer and ensure they match the titles and the bill of sale.
US trailers can be used to transport your boat, but you must get a US trailer permit. When you get to Canada, you will also need ICBC, which is Canadian insurance. Ensure you first enquire with the Canadian RIV about the trailer’s VIN. They should confirm if the VIN is valid before you purchase it.
Note that you will pay an RIV fee if your trailer cannot be 16 years or older. The Canadian border agent might ask you to pay it online, and you should be keen on the details you submit. Also, ensure the RIV forms they send are the right ones.
Before you get to the border, first declare that you are importing a boat. In addition, you should state its value and the selling price. You will also be asked to prove ownership by producing bills of sale of the boat, trailer, and accessories.
You will pay a sales tax when at the border, but this depends on the province you enter in Canada. However, you will be exempted from federal duty if your boat is made in Canada or Mexico. Also, the marine safety equipment is not charged.
When you enter the country, you will get a federal inspection of the trailer. The check happens at a Canadian Tire store. You will then get a trailer license, and you might be charged a PTS if your trailer is used.
The different boat shipping methods depend on the boat’s size, height, and weight. Some of the ways you can transport your boat from the US to Canada are;
When buying a boat, you can purchase a trailer to make your transportation more manageable. Having a trailer means you can deliver the boat, incurring only fuel costs. Alternatively, you can hire a trailer to move your boat from the US to Canada. If you don’t have enough experience trailering the boat, ensure to hire a pro.
Most boat buyers transport their machines on the highway. However, there are restrictions on this means of transport. For example, the boat must be less than 12’0″ inches wide, and 13’6 inches tall, and the destination must have a 14’0 inches overhead clearance.
If your boat meets these requirements, you can transport it on land. However, you will pay more than trailering it yourself. The amount for shipping your boat on land depends on its size, value, and weight. The distance between the transfers also matters.
If your boat or yacht is too large, it would be better to transport it on its bottom. This gives the buyer a chance to have some adventure by taking a trip up the intercoastal. However, choosing to cruise your boat depends on the distance.
If you are moving long distances, you need a delivery captain. If the boat or yacht is too large, you should have an additional crew. You will purchase special insurance covering the captain and the team when transporting the boat.
The insurance will also cater to their accommodation. However, once you get your boat, you are responsible for buying flight tickets for the captain and his crew back.
Once you decide to ship your boat through the water, expect weather changes. If the weather is too rough to move the ship on the sea, your delivery date could be postponed.
There are also chances of getting mechanical issues on the way. Therefore, getting an experienced mechanic to check the boat before buying it and ensure all the mechanical parts are intact.
If there are intense hurricanes, the crew and captain might need to pack in a distant port until the weather cools. You will therefore need a contingency plan to be fully prepared.
Suppose your boat and yacht are moving across international countries. Consider transporting it on a yacht transport ship. However, these are the least used means of boat transportation because of the costs.
Using a transport ship to transport your yacht could cost over $10000. You also need to work with the Ocean Transport Intermediary, a freight forwarding company.
You can also leave all the work for your boat transportation done by a non-vessel; operating common carrier. They handle all the logistics and paperwork around your machine’s transportation.
Shipping a boat from USA to Canada is straightforward, but you must know all the requirements. Hire a marine mechanic to ensure your boat is in good condition. If you carry more than $10,000 to purchase the boat in the USA, ensure that you declare it.
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