Buying a boat in Canada for use in FL USA

**TraceF3** · 06-09-2019, 02:38 PM

A used outboard boat, under 21', from an individual.

Are there duties? Tariffs? Import fees?

**mjw930** · 06-09-2019, 03:04 PM

Import duty 1% plus a number of documents required. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...-into-the-u.s.

**vnemous** · 06-09-2019, 03:09 PM

Have the seller bring it over the border

**TraceF3** · 06-09-2019, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by vnemous

Have the seller bring it over the border

OK. Then what do I do when I go to the FL tag office to register the boat and trailer?

**Tin Man 2** · 06-09-2019, 04:08 PM

My brother bought a Canada boat last year, he had to take it back to the U.S. Costom office for a inspection and pay some minor fee’s. He said there was nothing to it. I believe the Secretary of State needed the Customs papers before they would process the Title and Registration. This was in Michigan.

**mjw930** · 06-09-2019, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by TraceF3

OK. Then what do I do when I go to the FL tag office to register the boat and trailer?

Exactly. FL DMV will require either an MSO or a foreign title signed over to you along with a bill of sale and proof the item has legally entered the country, aka EPA and DOT paperwork. This article describes the process; http://www.ybaa.com/aws/YBAA/pt/sd/n..._details/false

Note, it is illegal for a Canadian to bring boat across the border to sell. You must meet the seller on the Canadian side and bring it over yourself. Otherwise it can only enter the US via a customs broker.

Also note, if the boat and motor was originally made in the US there should not be any import duty.

**vnemous** · 06-09-2019, 04:27 PM

Interesting, A friend bought a stoker from Canada. The seller met him on the US side of the Niagara Falls and consumated the deal. He never had a problem and still has boat.

**vnemous** · 06-09-2019, 04:32 PM

I just talked to my friend with the stoker. Only twist to the story is he never registered it in NJ. Still has canadian reg on it. Marine Police dont know what to do when he gets stopped so they always let him go

**aggiestckl** · 06-09-2019, 04:40 PM

Ask james cole on here, he’s the resident expert on this.. I did it twice and it wasn’t a big deal

**mjw930** · 06-09-2019, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by vnemous

Interesting, A friend bought a stoker from Canada. The seller met him on the US side of the Niagara Falls and consumated the deal. He never had a problem and still has boat.

I suppose if the seller brings it over and lies to the custom agent then you might be able to get away with it but since it costs next to nothing to bring it over legally and then you have all the proper customs paperwork (form 7501, etc.) so your state is happy and will issue a title and registration why would you not do that?

If you hire a transport company they will need to engage a broker who MUST handle the paperwork to get it across the border so unless you aren't planning on picking the boat up either in Canada or immediately across the border just factor in that cost.

It's really not hard and I believe if the boat and motor were originally made in the US (or canada) that isn't even the 1% duty so it's basically free minus a couple buck for the forms.

The one thing to be conscious of is taking more than $10K across the border requires it be claimed so work out a transaction between a US and Canadian bank to wire the money.

**MattGreen** · 06-09-2019, 08:53 PM

I’m not advocating this approach, but the Canadian can take their “race boat” across the border to take it “to a race”, and then return home later minus a boat. As mentioned above, it’s actually not that much effort to do it completely by the book.

The reminder about the $10k cash threshold is a good one, also don’t bring any firearms or spingloaded knives with you.

Matt

**Chaz** · 06-10-2019, 08:37 AM

Signed title and notary stamp .. ehh Get's you most of the way there .
Bill of sale , so the cute lil girl behind the desk in the Volusia Co. tag office can charge you 6.5% tax on the purchase ( make it believable ) and then .... I pay $48.38 a year for the boat and $31.60 for the trailer ..

As far as the money thing ... Mexico yes, Canada, not so much ...

**36Tango** · 06-22-2019, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by vnemous

Have the seller bring it over the border

When I bought my 28 Skater from a guy in Canada, he simply brought it across the border. When I got back home (Iowa) I had no trouble titling the boat and trailer. Canada does not require titles on boats under a certain size.