How Do I Import a Towed Boat, RV, Vehicle or Cargo into the USA or Canada?

Are you having a transport company tow a boat, RV, or other trailer-mounted cargo from the USA to Canada? Or, from Canada to the USA? If the craft, vehicle or cargo is being permanently moved (imported), a customs broker can handle import paperwork and pay fees and taxes for you so you don’t have to be present to do it yourself.

(See notes below for importing or exporting vehicles | seasonal transport of boats and RVs)

“If you are importing and don’t use a broker, you will have to be physically present at the border with your towed cargo, and take care of import paperwork and payments yourself,” says Chris Horne, co-owner A.E. Horne & Son Ltd., a customs broker in New Brunswick, Canada, whose firm handles up to 1,500 transactions a week.

According to Horne, “We help people import goods from the USA into Canada. Border clearance is done ahead of time, electronically. Our fees are based on the value of the cargo, and generally range from $25 to $350 (US dollars.) Our turnaround time is generally 48-72 hours, but in some cases we can do same day. Regular clients are billed, one-time clients pay beforehand by check or credit card.”

“An example: A Canadian citizen living in Alberta purchases an RV in Boston on EBay and has a transport company tow it to Alberta. The new owner hires a customs broker to handle forms, fees and taxes for him at the Canadian border.’

Brokers can assist customers with commercial cargo or personal purchases and may be licensed and bonded for Canadian Customs, US Customs, or both. Here is an alphabetical list of Canadian Customs brokers from the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers and American Customs brokers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Tips for Clearing Customs for Imports (return to top of page)
According to Horne, the key to smooth customs clearance is good documentation. This means providing your broker with a title (for vehicles or boats) and a dated purchase invoice listing country of origin, fair market value and a good description of the cargo.

Importing and Exporting Vehicles
Notice of export of motorized vehicles from the USA to Canada must be submitted to US Customs 72 hour prior to export. Other conditions apply for export or import into Canada or the USA. These include the age and manufacturer of the vehicle, type of vehicle, emissions control status, recalls and more.
See details at the website of A & A Contract Custom Brokers Ltd.

Customs and seasonal transport (return to top of page)
“If your trip is short term or seasonal — you are having a boat or RV towed from New York to use it in Quebec for the summer, and will be returning it to the USA, only proof of registration will be needed at customs, and you will be exempt from import taxes,” adds Horne.

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