magster65
Commander
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2002
- Messages
- 2,573
I just brought a boat back so I thought I'd post what I had to do. I read a pile of conflicting advice online so here ya' go;
The trailer is treated as a vehicle so you have to follow those guidelines which means you'll need the registration, title, bill of sale and a copy of the sales agreement if it was bought from a third party like a broker. All these documents have to be at a pre-determined crossing 72 hours before you and the vehicle arrive. Not all crossings process vehicles although some will allow boat trailers at their discretion (don't take a chance). There will also be a one time (non refundable) RIV fee of around $200 I think it is. Some potential problems can be avoided if you get a letter stating there's no liens or encumberances against the vehicle as well. If it's a car I'd also spend a bit of time and go through the vehicle with a vacuum... every nook and cranny to get rid of anything the previous owners may have left in there! The trailer (or car) will also have to have an inspection upon arrival in Canada (do it right away) and if it hasn't passed that inspection within 75 days it has to be sent back. Yep, you heard me.
The boat is a different story. You need the bill of sale, the registration and a copy of the contract if sold by a broker... that's it! Take a couple photocopies just in case but I didn't need them. I went through it and cleaned it right up just in case and I did get a letter from the previous owner about the 'no liens' but they didn't ask for it. The title can be mailed at a later date... but we don't need it here, just the registration.
A trailer/car/truck has to clear US customs on the way out but they don't care about boats... at all. Canada customs just wants the taxes (GST and PST) of course.
We weren't more than a few minutes at the crossing.
Cheers!
The trailer is treated as a vehicle so you have to follow those guidelines which means you'll need the registration, title, bill of sale and a copy of the sales agreement if it was bought from a third party like a broker. All these documents have to be at a pre-determined crossing 72 hours before you and the vehicle arrive. Not all crossings process vehicles although some will allow boat trailers at their discretion (don't take a chance). There will also be a one time (non refundable) RIV fee of around $200 I think it is. Some potential problems can be avoided if you get a letter stating there's no liens or encumberances against the vehicle as well. If it's a car I'd also spend a bit of time and go through the vehicle with a vacuum... every nook and cranny to get rid of anything the previous owners may have left in there! The trailer (or car) will also have to have an inspection upon arrival in Canada (do it right away) and if it hasn't passed that inspection within 75 days it has to be sent back. Yep, you heard me.
The boat is a different story. You need the bill of sale, the registration and a copy of the contract if sold by a broker... that's it! Take a couple photocopies just in case but I didn't need them. I went through it and cleaned it right up just in case and I did get a letter from the previous owner about the 'no liens' but they didn't ask for it. The title can be mailed at a later date... but we don't need it here, just the registration.
A trailer/car/truck has to clear US customs on the way out but they don't care about boats... at all. Canada customs just wants the taxes (GST and PST) of course.
We weren't more than a few minutes at the crossing.
Cheers!