Has Anyone Bought a Boat in the States to Bring to Canada Since the HST, 1 July '10 ?

[YOG]

Greetings,

My husband & I are on the verge of making an offer on a Bristol 40, in Annapolis.
(Aug/10)
We'd like to get it to Toronto.

There is no clear way - so far - to find out if the HST will apply to used boats! Also, if you have done this (even before the HST) did you use a customs broker? When and where are duties/taxes handled?

Meanwhile, back to trolling the gov't sites....thanks for your consideration!

Oh, can anyone recommend a reputable shipper? Alas we don't have the 6 wks to get it here ourselves along the inland waterways & canals...

Yog

[Vasco]

The easiest way to do this is to go through a trusted yacht broker (not a customs broker) in Toronto. They will handle everything. And yes! HST does apply!! If you need the name of an experienced broker to do this PM me and I'll give you the name. As an aside, you can be home from Annapolis in less than two weeks. I've gone from Toronto to the Chesapeake in 11 days. Of course the weather in the Atlantic stretch has to cooperate. This time of the year it's not too bad.

[YOG]

Hello & thanks for prompt reply.

Yes I would very much like the name of an experienced broker, much appreciated.

(Haven't figured out how to PM folks, jut joined under an hour ago!)

Best,

Yog

[LookingForCruiser]

I used Andrews Truck Lines to move my boat from Ontario to Massachusetts last year, no complaints. 1-800-231-0931. They can tell you what paperwork needs to be filled out as well, and how to handle customs.

[toodleoo]

You might want to do a search in the forum on shippers. There is a good recent discussion.

[Brent Swain]

I heard in BC, Campbell has raised the HST on private sales of boats and cars to 18%

[Reckless]

I haven't done it since HST, but I bought my old ski boat in the US, Ebay deal.

Drove over in the pick up, came back, pulled in at customs, they had me show all the registration and purchase papers, they gave me some forms to fill out. Did a quick visual inspection of the boat. They transferred the registration of the boat from a US number to an Canadian number, I paid duty and PST, on the purchase and licensing fees. I was told I had 30 days to renumber the boat, just to keep my papers on board in the meantime.

All and all took less then an hour, and I was on my way with new papers in hand. Very easy process, although I have found with customs and other government employees ( I was one for a number of years) it makes a difference who you get.