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06-07-2020, 15:42
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 196
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USCG documentation vs State Registration
If a foreign boat is purchased outside the USA, and the plan is to use it outside the USA, is there any need/benefit to register it in any state?
Isn't USCG documentation sufficient/preferred?
Since the boat will be used outside the USA, is there a requirement to pay the USCG import fee?
I assume such a USCG documented, import duty free boat could still visit the USA for a short time for repairs if needed?
I understand there are vessel documentation services....Any recommendations?
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06-07-2020, 16:33
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: EC
Boat: Cruising Catamaran
Posts: 1,558
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Re: USCG documentation vs State Registration
If you are a US citizen, then you can document it with Coast Guard (bunch of paper work required), there is no need for US state registration unless operating within a US state for prescribed period (different for each state), there is no state tax unless operated in the state for proscribed period (different rules for each state) there is no Federal import duty unless you bring it into the USA or its territories. Whether you can bounce in and out of the USA and not pay federal duty, I doubt it. https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organiz...on-Center-FAQ/
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06-07-2020, 16:33
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,643
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Re: USCG documentation vs State Registration
Quote:
Originally Posted by Limpet
If a foreign boat is purchased outside the USA, and the plan is to use it outside the USA, is there any need/benefit to register it in any state?
Isn't USCG documentation sufficient/preferred?
Since the boat will be used outside the USA, is there a requirement to pay the USCG import fee?
I assume such a USCG documented, import duty free boat could still visit the USA for a short time for repairs if needed?
I understand there are vessel documentation services....Any recommendations?
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There is no benefit to state registration until you plan to have to boat in that state.
Duties are only payable when you physically bring the boat into the U.S. and are handled by CBP, not the Coast Guard. Paying import duty and CG registration have no connection to one another.
I highly recommend Kimberly at asapmarinedocs.com
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06-07-2020, 17:51
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Boat: 34' Crowther tri sold 16' Kayak now
Posts: 5,067
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Re: USCG documentation vs State Registration
One issue down the road when and if you do try to import it will be certifications of the engines for EPA regs for that year.
__________________
Slowly going senile but enjoying the ride.
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06-07-2020, 17:55
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England. USA.
Boat: McCurdy & Rhodes Custom 46
Posts: 1,485
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Re: USCG documentation vs State Registration
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sand crab
One issue down the road when and if you do try to import it will be certifications of the engines for EPA regs for that year.
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Yes to this if you bring it into the US. But the actual checking of the EPA labeling is highly dependent on the port of importation. It still a requirement though, but not always checked.
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06-07-2020, 18:02
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Boat: 34' Crowther tri sold 16' Kayak now
Posts: 5,067
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Re: USCG documentation vs State Registration
Make sure that it doesn't have those Volvo engines which were recalled in the US because of this non-compliance. I think they weren't all recalled elsewhere.
__________________
Slowly going senile but enjoying the ride.
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07-07-2020, 12:42
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#7
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,541
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Re: USCG documentation vs State Registration
Quote:
Originally Posted by Limpet
If a foreign boat is purchased outside the USA, and the plan is to use it outside the USA, is there any need/benefit to register it in any state?
Isn't USCG documentation sufficient/preferred?
Since the boat will be used outside the USA, is there a requirement to pay the USCG import fee?
I assume such a USCG documented, import duty free boat could still visit the USA for a short time for repairs if needed?
I understand there are vessel documentation services....Any recommendations?
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Are you talking about a foreign flag or registered boat or a foreign built boat?
You asked "Isn't USCG documentation sufficient/preferred?" Sufficient for what?
The USCG does not charge import fees, US Customs does, its called "duty." A US built boat pays no import duty. A foreign built boat pays duty even if USCG documented if it has not previously been imported into the US with duty paid. (I own one. I paid 1.5% duty on the value plus a whole bunch of other Nickle and Dime government fees and charges. I would, and did use a service for this)
USCG documentation process can be real simple and inexpensive or real complicated and costly depending on the boat's history. Foreign built, foreign flagged in a foreign location can get complicated. US flagged, even in a foreign location, usually simple, no need to hire a service. I've done both. PM me if you would like to chat further.
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07-07-2020, 13:11
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 196
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Re: USCG documentation vs State Registration
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmschmidt
Are you talking about a foreign flag or registered boat or a foreign built boat?
USCG documentation process can be real simple and inexpensive or real complicated and costly depending on the boat's history. Foreign built, foreign flagged in a foreign location can get complicated. US flagged, even in a foreign location, usually simple, no need to hire a service. I've done both. PM me if you would like to chat further.
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Its foreign built, foreign flagged and in a foreign location. It will never live in the USA....it may visit the USA, say less than 60 days. Given this, I don't see why it would incur US duty or fees, other than the USCG documentation costs.
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07-07-2020, 14:21
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: on our boat cruising the Bahamas and east coast
Boat: 2000 Catalina 470 #058
Posts: 1,342
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Re: USCG documentation vs State Registration
Quote:
Originally Posted by Limpet
Its foreign built, foreign flagged and in a foreign location. It will never live in the USA....it may visit the USA, say less than 60 days. Given this, I don't see why it would incur US duty or fees, other than the USCG documentation costs.
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So it seems the real issue here is entry regs and process. A search of the US Government archives will surely turn up all you need for that depending on owner citizenship status.
__________________
Sailing a Catalina 470; now retired
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