Here are some of my notes when I brought my Striper in from Wash (this was done after a full servery was done and I had inspected the boat and I did a 30 min sea trial and had a agreement for sale , signed by the seller and proof of ownership)
BOAT PURCHASE IN USA – IMPORTING TO CANADA WHEN IN THE USA
#1 – Get Original titles for Boat & Trailer & Engine
#2- Make sure the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN, Serial Numbers) correspond
(Must be exact – No exceptions)
#3 – Bill of Sale – Complete the Bill with the seller ( Use Bill of Sale in this folder)
#4) Obtain original titles on the Boat and Trailer and get the prior owners to sign off
on the same.
#5 – If I am towing unit back to Canada; Go to a vehical licensing office and get a
“TEMPORARY PERMIT’ from the state you are purchasing trailer from.
(if it is Washington go online to site
www.dol.wa.gov .) (3 day cost $30 USA)
#6 - Pay the Taxes (PST and GST on Boat & Motor , then GST on Trailer , PST
will be paid at ICBC --- (
This may have changed with HST which is 12% but I
don’t know if the charge it at the boarder or part of it or what ???).
#7 – Advised the Boarder Officer you would like to take the “VEHICAL IMPORT
FORM 1” home and pay RIV online. (Do not pay the RIV fees as you will do
online when you return home ,this way you will get form 2 faster which is needed to
get FORM 2 from RIV , for federal inspection at Canadian Tire).
WHEN YOU GET BACK HOME
1- Do not move the trailer any further then home
2- Call RIV and ask if I can email
scanned copies of Form #1 and title of ownerships
to them (RIV phone # is 1-888-848-8240).
3- Go online to RIV @
www.riv.ca ;
a) With your FORM 1 in hand, register online with RIV and also pay the RIV fees.
b) Provide them my email address
c) Scan FORM 1 and title of ownerships and email it to RIV , also make sure to
give them my return email address.
4- Once FORM 1 accepted by RIV , they will email back to me Form #2 , to be used
at Canadian Tire for the Federal Inspection of the trailer.
5 – Make appointment with Canadian Tire for federal inspection of trailer and take
Form #2 and documents to Canadian Tire (once passed by Canadian Tire they will
place a stamp on Form #2.
Note; Get a phone number and name of whom will send notification to RIV.
6 – Take Form #2 (with Canadian Tire Stamp on it) and documents Call ICBC Agent
for licensing of trailer. (Legear Pelling Ins @ 604-276-2474 )
7– Email to RIV @
www.riv.ca a scanned copy of Form #2 (now approved and stamped
by Canadian Tire & wait or RIV to return of the CANADIAN COMPLIANCE
LABEL.
8- Email to RIV @
recall@riv.ca the recall documentation for trailer mfg accompanied
with my vehical import form number, any questions call 1-888-848-8240
Not Required but at good follow up; after I do #7 above, call RIV (1-888-848-8240) and ask if they got my email able and also email from Canadian Tire (if they didn’t get Canadian Tires information give RIV , Canadian Tires Name and Contact, which I got earlier)
Note; within 5 days you will get from RIV a CANADIAN COMPLIANCE LABEL for the trailer .
8– Register your boat with Transport Canada (Service Canada ) for your new boat
Canadian registration numbers (like my k number). (kerry emailed me a new
address for registering Boat . I have found the page and saved it in my favorates noted
as “Application for Pleasure Craft Licsence”
9- Advise insurance agent of the K number on my boat
This is what I did about 6 years ago and never had any issues, its just my check list ...... Good luck
Note; I did use a certified broker out of Wash to prepare another bill of sale and to transfer my funds to their account for the seller, so I didn't have to claim any being carried across the boarder , just gave them the brokers docs when I returned to Canada (BEWARE I WAS IN BANK AUDITING FOR 25 YEARS AND RESEARCHED THE BROKER WITH MY USA CONTACTS .......I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE IF YOU DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOUR DOING).