Considering purchasing a boat in Canada

[David M]

I am considering purchasing a trailerable boat in Canada and towing it back to California.

I have never purchased a boat in Canada and would like to know if there are any expenses over the cost of the boat itself and any sort of regulations, permits, fees, paperwork or anything else that I might be unaware of that I need to know of that costs money or takes time.

Are there any strategies for saving on taxes?

[deluxe68]

I am also considering a boat purchase in Canada, it is 44' so it is not too trailerable. I need to learn about the taxes and documentation for getting the boat into the US.

[Bagelista]

I've been going through the process with a boat purchased in BC soon to be sailed to California. In general my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) is if built in Canada the boat is duty free with a NAFTA certificate of origin. I'm paying an import broker a nominal fee to import the boat into the USA. In order to avoid paying sales tax in Canada I've been told that the previous owner will have to sail the boat into US waters. In my case we will just sail across the line then renter Canada and clear customs. Sales / use tax in the state where the boat will be kept will be owed after it is imported.


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