Boat Registration

[jasonstein99]

Hi there guys (and girls)

I'm from Ontario, Canada and just bought a boat in Georgia this week which i am going to pick up on January 25th and then am heading to Cape Coral Florida where i am going to use the boat for the month of Feb before returning to Ontario with it. This is just a 18.5 ft. bowrider and i know this is not really the type of boat this site is geared towards but i thought someone may be able to help me with what I need to do to use this boat in Florida legally.

I have searched online and found some info but i find it a bit confusing.

I will have insurance on the boat the day i pick it up.

I don't think i'll be able to register the boat in Canada before i get back home and clear it with customs.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Jason

[skipmac]

Go to any FL county tax office and you can register the boat. Non residents are not only allowed but required to register a boat if the boat is kept in the state more than 90 days.

They may want a FL mailing address and they will want to see proof that you paid sales tax on the boat. If you bought it from a private owner in GA and didn't pay sales tax then you will probably be charged 6% of the purchase price.

You might check state registration rules in GA as well. As long as you stay less than 90 days in FL the GA registration will be valid.

[denverd0n]

If the boat was registered to the previous owner in Georgia, and if you stay in Florida for only the short time that you are planning, then you don't have to do anything. As skipmac said, you do not have to register it with Florida unless you keep it there more than 90 days.

Probably would be a good idea to keep the sales papers with you while in Florida, just in case an officer questions the registration. Otherwise, have fun and don't worry about it.

[jasonstein99]

Ya, i'm really trying to get around paying that 6% tax. I'll have to pay 13% tax when i bring it back to Ontario!

I'm buying the boat from a dealer but i don't know how that all works. I guess registering a boat is different than "licencing" a boat here in Ontario. So it may still be registered in his name. I'll have to ask.

Thanks,
Jason

[h20]

Originally Posted by jasonstein99

Ya, i'm really trying to get around paying that 6% tax. I'll have to pay 13% tax when i bring it back to Ontario!

I'm buying the boat from a dealer but i don't know how that all works. I guess registering a boat is different than "licencing" a boat here in Ontario. So it may still be registered in his name. I'll have to ask.

Thanks,
Jason

Yes, most of my bill of sale says $100.00 or so.
I am Not brainwashed with guilt, it's us against them
for sure. They piss money while they are laughing at us!

[BobH260]

I also live in Ontario and have in the past purchased a boat in the USA. One think to check is the trailer. It should have a plate on it with serial number, manufacturer, weight, date of manufacture etc. indicated. This is required in order to import it. Ours had been removed when the trailer was pressure washed by the boat dealer. Fortunate for us the dealer was able to get a replacement from the trailer manufacturer. This took over a month as it required a title search etc.

Also be prepared to prove the price you paid for it. The bill of sale from a dealer was not enough. We had a paper copy of the web page offering the boat for sale. They also went on the internet and checked it, the dealer still had the ad up with a sold on it.

Enjoy the trip, Bob

[Caribsailors]

Just thinking out loud...But couldn't you just take your sales documents and license it provincially, before you leave. Get your provincial license number, apply that to your new boat in Georgia?

[BobH260]

You need the paper work from customs showing taxes were paid and Transport Canada forms with a safety inspection completed before they will allow you to register the trailer or boat using the Georgia titles. It is much easier to import the boat than it is the trailer.

Bob

[finding41]

I didn't have any trouble with my trailer. Or boat.
I imported a MacGregor 26D with it's trailer from Ohio.
The sticker on the trailer is just silver and unreadable.
I did have a separate receipt for the trailer valued at $1. Also the receipt for the boat it's self. I did have to pay both taxes. 13% in Ontario.
I brought the trailer home with the PO's Ohio trailer plate. (Not sure if that made a difference at the border or not.) Crossed at Sarnia Ont. in late Nov.

[Prairie Chicken]

Check out Transport Canada's web site at Pleasure Craft Licence - Transport Canada to learn more about pleasure craft licensing. It's not the best web site, but it helps. You don't need to register your boat--that's quite a bit more detailed.