C-Forum

Anyone familiar with the law when it comes to buying a used canoe from a private individual in Canada and bringing into the US?

This is my understanding-

You're supposed to declare any purchases wether the item be new or used.

You're exempt if you travel with you're own boat into Canada and return with you're own boat.

As long as the value of the boat or goods is less than $2500 you do not need a customs broker. And the goods can be declared on an informal entry.

I've never imported a used boat- so I don't know if customs would just accept whatever value you told them -or if a hand written receipt would work.

You're not supposed exclude the boat and not even mention it on the declaration, which is what I hear happens sometimes.

Bill

I think Bill got it pretty straight.

You should call Canada Customs to confirm the different time durations and tax free amounts or see their Internet site.

If you're bringing the boat back to the US it's US Customs you should speak with. I talked to them a few years ago when I purchased the Groove. Basically a bill of sale, and knowing it had a serial number in it was all they were concerned with (and frankly they didn't check the boat, just the bill of sale, and only that because I handed it to them). As of a few years ago there was no duty or tax owed on a boat moved across the boarder if it was under a certain length and not powered.

Your best bet is to call - they were very helpful on the phone, and when I went through customs I quoted the #'s regarding the goods they had given me.

So, it should be easy, even if you do it the legal way:)

Gudday,
You could also just go up there with a rack of boats and come back with a rack of boats. I've never had anyone stop and look at my boats closely, nor count them. I picked up my Zoom new in Canada, strapped it on and just drove back across the border. No worries. (For all those customs agents reading this...I then exported it with the rest of my stuff to Switzerland - it never got used in the US)

If you are worried about crossing with a clearly new boat, stop and paddle it for a few days to scratch her up a bit

Matt

Here's what I have done in the past...

(1) Put the boat on your car.
(2) Drive across the border.

Well, I heard that some of us Canadians seemed to have suffered of short term amnesia and apparently forgot to mention the new boat on their roofracks to the customs officer when returning... ...

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

Martin, Are you paddling Saturday? I'd be up for a trip down the grand-old-Ottawa

Mike,

We're headig down South for the weekend, Upper Yough on Friday, Ohiopyle Falls Race on Saturday and Lower Yough on Sunday.

We will be on the Ottawa on the labor Day weekend though.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

I bought a boat in the States and had it shipped to Toronto.
Used it in Canada for two weeks and took it home with me to Germany (including a bill of sales for a low priced used boat to avoid to pay too much tax).
But the guys at customs didn't ask and I forgot...

That's no recommendation...