US to Canada boat purchase

[sledboy]

Has anyone had experience bringing a boat across the boarder?
Looking to purchase a Sea Ray in northern Michigan that would be brought by water back to Ontario. Looking for imformation on paper work, taxes, duties, and any other impediments to this sort of transaction.
Thanks in advance for any and all comments.
Regards Sledboy.

 

[SkipBarnes]

I live in Michigan and sold my 250DA to a Canadian (Sarnia) resident - he used an customs broker, I think that would be wise for you also. I'd also contact Canadian customs and see how they'd like you to handle it.

When I got my cruising permit from Canadian customs at the Bluewater Bridge for my new boat, I let slip that I had sold my old boat to a Canadian buyer and had to endure an onslaught of questions about why I hadn't reported this to them since it was in Canada for recreational purposes only. Sheesh.

Skip

(Waiting for the ice to thaw in Sarnia...)

 

[All That Jazz]

Skip-What's this about a cruising permit? Have not heard about such a beast. I did check the Canadian Customs website and seems that you have to have an "entry permit" that has to be returned when you leave the county. That is new to me. Is that what you are referring to?

I see also that if you stay in Canadian waters for more than 45 days, then you have to take the Canadian boat operators competency exam. Yeah, fat chance!

Sledboy-Don't know about the taxes and so on. I do know that I would get wacked for taxes if I brought a boat into Canada and left it there.

 

[SkipBarnes]

Skip-What's this about a cruising permit? Have not heard about such a beast. I did check the Canadian Customs website and seems that you have to have an "entry permit" that has to be returned when you leave the county. That is new to me. Is that what you are referring to?

It's a permit that they always made me fill out when I brought the boat in on a trailer. From Canadian Customs:
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Vehicles and private boats

During your visit in Canada, you can temporarily import passenger and recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, outboard motors, boats, trailers and most other kinds of vehicles for your personal use.

You cannot leave temporarily imported goods in Canada between visits unless they have been properly reported to the CBSA and you were issued Form E99, Canada Customs Report. You must display this form on your vehicle, boat or trailer or have it easily available to prove that you imported the goods legally. Remember to watch for the expiry date. If you leave goods in Canada beyond the expiry date, and they are not in accordance with the CBSA regulations, they may become subject to seizure and forfeiture.
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It's painless and free. After looking it up, I realized it's not called a cruising permit as I thought it was, it's for other vehicles as well. You keep a little sheet of yellow paper (get it laminated) and put it where someone can see it.

Entry permit? What does that do for you? I'll see if I can find more info.

I see also that if you stay in Canadian waters for more than 45 days, then you have to take the Canadian boat operators competency exam. Yeah, fat chance!

I didn't know that. I need to look that one up, too.

Sledboy-Don't know about the taxes and so on. I do know that I would get wacked for taxes if I brought a boat into Canada and left it there.

Why? Are you a citizen? I've been keeping my boat there in the summer for 5 years and haven't had to pay any taxes whatsoever. Previous to last year, I brought the boat back to the US for storage. This past year I stored it in Canada and the marina took care of all the paperwork (involves providing a work order and some other stuff I'm not familiar with right offhand)

This may be a good time for me to spend some time at the Canadian Customs website and see what elese has changed...

 

[All That Jazz]

Skip: I wanted to leave a boat in Canada for use in the summer, but, the tax that they wanted killed the deal. As I recall, it was something like 18% of the retail value. But, I think that the way to get around it was some stuff like it was there because it needed repairs. Maybe that is where the work order came in that your marina was using.

Maybe I just plain have everything all wrong, I don't know :smt021

 

[SkipBarnes]

Skip: I wanted to leave a boat in Canada for use in the summer, but, the tax that they wanted killed the deal. As I recall, it was something like 18% of the retail value. But, I think that the way to get around it was some stuff like it was there because it needed repairs. Maybe that is where the work order came in that your marina was using.

I've been doing that for the last 5 years and it hasn't cost me a dime, US or Canadian. It's unfortunate that you were misinformed, Canada is a wonderful place to keep a boat. The repair order thing is only necessary if you leave the boat there over the winter.

The folks at my marina are always very helpful, if you want to give them a call, it's 800 265 0330

http://www.bridgeviewmarina.com

(Second time I've posted their website today, no I don't work there but it it an excellent marina...)