Arrange for a boat survey to be completed on your vessel to ensure that it's in a satisfactory condition for transportation. The survey must test the boat's hull and motor, but you can undertake a full survey if required. This will cost more money than the basic hull and motor survey. Employ your own boat surveyor for this, and don't use the seller's surveyor.
Insure your boat for transportation. Insurance for transit from the United States to Canada must cover the tow vehicle, trailer and boat. Holding a trailer license in your home state may be adequate enough for you to reach the border; once you've returned to Canada, you'll be given additional time to obtain the license. It is, however, recommended that you insure your boat before importation.
Contact the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) to check that your trailer has a valid Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If it doesn't, ask the RIV official for instructions on how to obtain one and follow her instructions.
Ensure that you have all paperwork documenting that the boat is yours and is authorized to cross the border. This paperwork will certify ownership; it should include titles, the bill of sale, licenses, adverts and emails between the seller and you, as well as invoices and payments. If your trailer is registered in a "non-title" state, you'll need to contact that state and request a letter so stating. Store every piece of documentation in your tow vehicle as your boat may not be allowed into Canada if you fail to show specific documents at Canada Customs.
Stop at the border crossing, declare that you're importing a boat and truthfully answer any questions you're asked by Canada Customs. You'll also need to declare the boat's actual value, as well as documents highlighting the amount you purchased it for.
Provide customs officials with documentation that the boat is yours and can cross the border. You'll be asked for documentation to prove ownership, as well as bills of sale for your boat, trailer and removable accessories. You'll also need documents certifying any boat taxes and surveys. You'll be asked to pay an RIV fee if your trailer is less than 15 years old. If you're asked to pay this online, ensure that customs officials send you the appropriate forms first.
Cross the border and return to your Canadian destination. When you've returned, get a federal inspection on your trailer at any Canadian Tire store; then buy a license from your local Driver & Vehicle License Office. Pay, if instructed to do so, the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) for the trailer.
Pay your RIV fee, if required, once you've received the appropriate forms and instructions from Canada Customs.
