Planning on Bringing a Boat into Canada from the United States? Well, in such a case, it will be a good idea to know what to expect from the process. Here’s what you should be aware of.
Bringing a Boat into Canada
It’s very important, when bringing a boat into Canada, that before you put forward any money or even make an offer for the vessel you want to purchase, you need to know more about this process. A good place to start, for example, will be to hire a broker who understands the nuances of this sort of deal and can hence give you the right advice on how to handle the situation. But if you’d rather get this done yourself, you can still get all the paperwork necessary to prepare for the import process. The border crossing will include licenses, ownership titles, invoices, and such, as well as everything you will need when you are back in Canada, such as taxes owed and licenses.
Confirm the Current Status of the Ownership
So, once you’re aware of the paperwork that will be necessary, it will be good to make sure that, regardless of what the seller tells you, there are no liens, loans, or unpaid repairs that are weighing the boat down financially. You don’t want to purchase a boat, after all, that has that sort of administrative, financial, or legal baggage attached to it. To address this, you should request what is known as an abstract of title as proof of the vessel’s financial standing so that you don’t inherit any sort of debt you don’t want to have to put up with going forward with your new ownership. On top of that, you will most likely want to hire a professional boat surveyor who can check the hull and the motor before you go forward and make an offer.
Importing the Boat
Once you have completed the purchase, it will be time for you to arrange for the insurance. In certain cases, your tow vehicle’s insurance can be extended to cover a boat or trailer when transporting them back to Canada. At the border, if you are bringing a boat into Canada, you do not have to stop at United States Customs. Instead, you will have to stop at Canada Customs and declare that you are importing the vessel, stating the value and selling price of the boat. Always tell the truth when asked questions, but know you don’t have to give any details they’re not asking for.
Registering Your Vessel in Canada
After you’ve imported the vessel, it will be time for you to register it with Transport Canada. Now, no one likes to have to submit documentation applications, everyone knows that. However, that is exactly why we at the National Vessel Documentation Center have set up an easy to use platform that makes those filings everyone finds so tedious and inconvenient all the more simple and straightforward. Here you will find all the forms you might need in order to file for boat registration, a pleasure craft licence, or just about any other relevant vessel procedure. For more information about any of these applications, boating documentation regulations, or Transport Canada filing requirements, feel free to reach out to our team by way of our contact page. We’re here to help.
