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Old 27-10-2017, 18:07   #46
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

As several of you started asking two or three questions in one sentence, let me answer one. Question, Someone from US buys a Canadian boat, has Canadian registration in prior owner's name and bill of sale, will they have trouble cruising in other countries?

1. If they have no state registration and no documentation, they very well could have trouble.
2. If they have a registration from a US state, then I've never known anyone to have a problem, in spite of warnings they might. Can't promise they won't.
3. If they plan on documenting the boat in the US, then do it quickly and do it with a priority request based on the plans to go cruising outside the country. You can complete it in no more than two weeks. Might be the time to use an experienced Documentation Agent.
4. What if they plan to flag it elsewhere. Then you could have issues in the US if you stay too long and don't have the documentation from the new country. Also, could in other countries with no documentation and no state registration. So, document it quickly in whatever country you chose. Most handle it pretty quickly. At the least you should be able to get some form of temporary document. Don't assume you'll be fine with Canadian registration and bill of sale, especially if it's going to be a fairly long time.
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Old 20-11-2017, 07:20   #47
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

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Old 29-12-2017, 04:07   #48
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

Sorry to jump on this thread so late. I am in a similar situation, being a non-resident and having purchased a CT registered sailboat.
I have the title / bill of sale from the previous owner in hand, but have not yet registered the boat in my name.

1. Do I have to register in CT to transfer ownership or can I register in another state and avoid the CT sales tax? Bearing in mind that I do not reside in the USA and have no home port yet. ( I plan to cruise down the coast and onto the Caribbean.)
2. Will the state registration be sufficient to obtain a zarpe to enter and leave the US and other Caribbean islands?
3. As a foreigner do I need to apply for a cruising permit to sail a state registered boat in the USA? I'm on a B1 tourist visa.
4. Will I be flying the stars and stripes or the flag of my nationality?

I apologize for all the questions but I can't seem to get definitive answers for them.
Ideally I should just flag under my nationality. If only it were that easy.
I cannot register under a South African flag as they require that the boat be imported and physically be in SA (pay 40% duties) and surveyed locally. (pay $$ bribe)
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Old 29-12-2017, 06:32   #49
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

Hi Craig,

Never too late. That's one of the good things about the CF discussions. The information never goes away and one can read and add to threads even years later.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Cape Town View Post
Sorry to jump on this thread so late. I am in a similar situation, being a non-resident and having purchased a CT registered sailboat.
I have the title / bill of sale from the previous owner in hand, but have not yet registered the boat in my name.

1. Do I have to register in CT to transfer ownership or can I register in another state and avoid the CT sales tax? Bearing in mind that I do not reside in the USA and have no home port yet. ( I plan to cruise down the coast and onto the Caribbean.)

This one is a bit tricky and I can only answer based on the few states I've dealt with. I think it has been mentioned in this thread that every state can set their own rules and regulations for how boats are regulated except in regard to USCG Documentation.
So, title transfer. If the boat was already state titled then the transfer is generally shown filling in your name on the title and the previous owner signing the document. However, this shows the purchase and ownership transfer to you but does not give you an original title in your name.
To do that you have to go to CT (or any other state offices), turn in the old title and apply for a new. That's when you get hit for sales tax and registration. Registration is usually not much, $50-$200 range but the sales tax in most states is around 6% of the purchase price. The old title signed over will work for a while but after a few months or so, if stopped and asked for papers you might be asked why you don't have a new title. Clearing customs into another country they will definitely have questions. If you're in CT area and want to avoid the sales tax go next door to Rhode Island.
No sales tax on used boat sales. If you have a US mailing address for the paperwork it doesn't even have to be in RI. NOTE: If the boat stays in CT (or any other state for that matter) longer than the state deadline, usually 90 days, most states want you to register in that state. This rule is not enforced strictly in a lot of states and generally doesn't carry any penalty if you are checked and found not in compliance. Some states will go after the 6%
sales tax


2. Will the state registration be sufficient to obtain a zarpe to enter and leave the US and other Caribbean islands?

I cruised the Bahamas and parts of the Caribbean with only state registration papers and had no problem. Other forum members have cruised for years all across the Pacific with no problems. There are some unconfirmed rumors, that French islands might have some concerns but have seen no first hand reports of such.

3. As a foreigner do I need to apply for a cruising permit to sail a state registered boat in the USA? I'm on a B1 tourist visa.

Sorry I'm a US citizen and have no direct knowledge but I think the permits are for the person as much or more so than the boat. Suggest you contact US authorities to confirm this.

4. Will I be flying the stars and stripes or the flag of my nationality?

Will you have no registration with South Africa?
What name and hailing port will you put on the boat? Again, no first hand knowledge but I think you should fly the flag of the country of registration.
You might also fly the South African flag as a courtesy flag if you like but you will of course need to fly the flag of the country where you're cruising.


I apologize for all the questions but I can't seem to get definitive answers for them.
Ideally I should just flag under my nationality. If only it were that easy.
I cannot register under a South African flag as they require that the boat be imported and physically be in SA (pay 40% duties) and surveyed locally. (pay $$ bribe)
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Old 29-12-2017, 08:36   #50
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

Thanks for all the info Skipmac. Much appreciated.
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Old 29-12-2017, 08:46   #51
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Cape Town View Post
4. Will I be flying the stars and stripes or the flag of my nationality?
The USA flag would be the correct one to fly. Think about all those ships owned by companies in Holland, with crews from the Philippines, and a Captain from the UK and registered in Panama. What flag do they fly? Panama of course.

Or anywhere there are superyachts registered in the Bahamas... always the Bahamian flag.

So: a USA flag at the stern, the flag for the country you are currently checked into at the starboard spreaders, and if you wish a SA flag, it can go at the port spreader.
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Old 29-12-2017, 17:44   #52
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

1. Get the boat out of CT ASAP lest you receive a tap on the shoulder from the tax man. I don't know their procedure on taxing newly sold boats. You can look it up if you want. On this question I can only agree with skipmac and suggest that you move up to Rhode Island which is close by and has no boat taxes other than state registration. It only takes a day so wait for calm weather and motor up. I know that Norton's in Greenwich Bay has slips available for next summer.
2. You could enter the Bahamas with state registration. Because you are not an American citizen you will have to register the boat in some country to re enter the USA. That could be US coast guard registration.
3. Yes, provided you intend to visit multiple ports and register in a foreign country. If you just want to visit one boatyard, tidy the boat up and then leave USA don't bother.
4. You will be flying the flag of the country in which you choose to register. There are plenty to pick from.
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Old 11-10-2018, 00:39   #53
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

I like your question. I also have the same question. My friend - from Vietnam - is currently in Chicago. He just bought a lot of Yamaha sailboats in order to ship them to Vietnam for resale. However, he cannot ship them. Can anyone tell me what steps he needs to do? Does he need to open an office in Chicago? Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
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Old 11-10-2018, 03:38   #54
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, aharolds.
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Old 11-10-2018, 07:37   #55
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Re: Non USA citizen want to buy a boat in USA, how register the boat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by aharolds View Post
I like your question. I also have the same question. My friend - from Vietnam - is currently in Chicago. He just bought a lot of Yamaha sailboats in order to ship them to Vietnam for resale. However, he cannot ship them. Can anyone tell me what steps he needs to do? Does he need to open an office in Chicago? Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
First we need to know why he can't ship them. Who did he contact for shipping and what reason did they give for not shipping?

I import and export products from all over the world and it is a fairly straightforward process in most situations.

If I can get some details I can refer him to the correct people to assist.
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