Importing a vessel is always a big task, which is why you want to have the proper guidance throughout. The best thing to keep in mind when planning how to import a vessel into Canada is that you can always hire a broker. After all, they have the right experience in order to properly carry out the process and are more than familiar with what importing the vessel will be like. However, you can also try to do it yourself, so let’s take a closer look at what you should keep in mind.
How to Import a Vessel Into Canada
Remember that it will be up to you to check the boat for any liens that may be placed on the vessel, such as, for example, loans and unpaid repairs. It’s always a good idea to check for these yourself even if the seller claims that the ownership is clear of them. Also worth noting is that if the boat comes with a trailer, the trailer will need to have a valid VIN, so call the Canadian Registrar of Imported Vehicles to find out if the VIN is valid before purchasing the vessel.
Safely Making the Purchase
Now, once you’ve made sure that you indeed want to get the boat in question, it will be a good time to arrange for a professional boat survey in order to make sure that the hull and the motor are in good shape before making a formal offer. You want to make sure that you can negotiate a fair price on the boat, which is why you want to avoid any potential surprises after the fact. It’s also good to avoid going with surveys that are recommended by the seller, finding your own instead. Don’t sign an agreement of purchase until you have checked everything and are confidently ready to buy the boat. And, regardless of the payment method, make paper copies of all the transactions involved.
Carrying Out the Import
After the purchase has been completed, it will be time to arrange for the insurance. There are going to be cases in which your tow vehicle’s insurance can be extended to cover a boat or trailer when transporting them back to Canada. At the border, do not stop at United States Customs. Instead, stop at Canada Customs and declare that you are importing the boat, including the value and selling price of the boat. This will be the last step in the process of how to import a vessel into Canada. Remember to tell the truth when customs officials ask you questions, but also remember that there’s no need for you to give out details they don’t ask you for.
Register the Vessel in Canada
Great, you’ve figured out how to import a vessel into Canada, now you will have to register it with the corresponding authorities. This is why we make it so you can conveniently fill out and submit every relevant form through our website directly to Transport Canada. If you have any questions about what the process you’re taking care of entails, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Just give us a call at +1 (800) 419-9569 or email us at info@canadianvesselregistry.ca and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
