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Posts: 134
Location: East TN | Hi Guys, I have a trip planned in August in which i'll be driving from TN up to Lake Nipissing in Canada. I'll be crossing at the Detroit/Windsor border. I will also be towing my boat along with me. I have searched and searched and can't seem to find any specifics on what is required for crossing the border while towing a boat. I know you have to register it at the border, but i'm not sure what specific paperwork you have to have. Last thing I want is to drive 8-9hrs to Detroit and not be able to cross. I just wanna be sure I have all my bases covered. Also, Tn doesn't require your boat trailer to be tagged, so I'm hoping that won't be a problem. If anyone could lend me any info on this, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
Edited by BubbaTn 5/11/2009 9:06 AM
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | I have never had to do anything special to tow a boat into Canada. No paperwork is needed unless you are selling or leaving the boat in Canada for an axtended time.
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | I tow a boat into Ontario all the time and have never had to "register" it. I go through International falls or Baudette, and have never towed through Windsor. Maybe there it might be different, but I doubt it. I know you can get hasseled bringing a buddies boat, however if it's yours, you shouldn't have an issue. I would just bring the registration card that you're supposed to keep in the boat anyway. And don't forget your passport!
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Posts: 134
Location: East TN | Cool, Thanks guys. I guess "register" may not have been the right word. I went last year with my buddy, and crossed at Windsor, and he had to go in and fill out some paperwork for it? Not really sure how all that works, and this will only be my 2nd time to Canada, and I will be crossing by myself this year. Like I said, Just wanting to make sure I got everything covered. Thanks for the input guys. |
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Posts: 203
Location: Germantown, WI | I've crossed the border with my boat at Windsor every Summer for the past several years. I can tell you that for at least the last 3-4 years you must register your boat at Customs. You should have your boat registration and trailer registration (if applicable) with you. It's not really a big deal. They enter your info into their computer and give you a form that they ask you to keep with the boat while it is in Ontario. As long as it is not too busy it probably takes 15-20 minutes tops. The registration is good for the whole year and there is no cost. |
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Posts: 86
| MUSKYLUND1 - 5/11/2009 11:31 AM
I've crossed the border with my boat at Windsor every Summer for the past several years. I can tell you that for at least the last 3-4 years you must register your boat at Customs. You should have your boat registration and trailer registration (if applicable) with you. It's not really a big deal. They enter your info into their computer and give you a form that they ask you to keep with the boat while it is in Ontario. As long as it is not too busy it probably takes 15-20 minutes tops. The registration is good for the whole year and there is no cost.
Yep, the last two summers I went through Windsor and had to register. I got through between 4-6 am and it went really quick. Boat registration is all you should need but if you have a trailer reg then have it with you to be safe. Kentucky doesn't require trailer tags either and it created no problem. Incidently never had to register when going throuh at Peace Bridge or 1,000 islands. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Maybe they're afraid you might smuggle some peelers back from Windsor's famous Million Dollar gentleman's club? Not that I've been there or anything  |
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Posts: 134
Location: East TN | Thanks guys, This helps alot. Makes me feel a little more at ease to know that it isn't a huge deal. I'm gonna try to get a statement from the bank(Since i'm financing it there, and don't really have to title) stating that the boat/trailer/motor does below to me as well just in case. So i'll have my boat registration through TWRA(our DNR), and that statement from the bank. Think that should take care of it? |
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Posts: 2024
| One additional word of advice. If you're traveling with a cover on your boat, take it off before getting to the border. You will look less "suspicious" and they are less likely to search you which is simply a hassle. We do this crossing the border at Baudette and have been behind boats with covers on and zoom by as Customs is pouring through their every compartment. Just a thought. |
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Posts: 134
Location: East TN | esox50 - 5/11/2009 12:02 PM
One additional word of advice. If you're traveling with a cover on your boat, take it off before getting to the border. You will look less "suspicious" and they are less likely to search you which is simply a hassle. We do this crossing the border at Baudette and have been behind boats with covers on and zoom by as Customs is pouring through their every compartment. Just a thought.
Thanks alot, That does make sense. Might have to do that on my way through. |
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Posts: 203
Location: Germantown, WI | I don't know why boat registration is required at Windsor, but not other crossing sites. I thought it had something to do with the Great Lakes and the ability to cross by water vs land, but I'm not sure. It doesn't make much sense if they are not enforcing it at all crossing points. I have never removed the boat cover to cross the border and have never been hassled about it. I suppose you could run into a border agent who wanted to check to make sure you are not smuggling guns or alchohol. I usually cross about 9AM on a Saturday and typically it's not a very long wait.
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Posts: 656
Location: Forest Lake, Mn. | Sounds like things at the border are getting more difficult. I've crossed at International Falls, Baudette, and Warroad over the years. I have had them look in my truck bed. There's a topper on it. But I've never had them look under the boat cover. In fact I've never even had them give the boat a second glance. Just lucky?
Another thing to think about bringing is proof of insurance. I'm sure you have proof of car insurance, but if there's insurance on the boat that might be a good idea too to have along.
I've never heard of registering the boat. I live in Mn. and all I have is a sticker on the trailer tounge and the DNR serial number on the boat hull. We don't even have a trailer liscence plate anymore. Just the sticker.
Canadian Customs computers are tied into a U.S. computer network and they can pull up info about you from your drivers liscence, etc. I'm sure they can also do that with your tow vechile plates. Therefore, I'm surprised and puzzled by a boat registration form. I can't imagine that they would want the boat title would they? I've never brought mine. |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | I'm guessing that it's done this way at Detroit/Windsor due to issues related to anti-terrorism since points of entry here are very constricted (bridge or tunnel) and high on the list of potential targets.
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Posts: 1529
| having paperwork ready. take off sunglasses and dont be on your cellphone. you will be pulled in for boat paperwork, free by the way. its a 10 minute deal. on your way thru my hometown windsor, why not try l. st clair.. oh ya if your into the ballet, theres plenty of that downtown. |
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Posts: 332
Location: Michigan | When you get to Detroit, hop on 94 and go north an hour to Port Huron and cross at the Bluewater Bridge into Sarnia. Been going to Nipissing/French River area for the last 20 years 2-3 times a year and never been pulled over for a boat check or had a long wait at the Bluewater Bridge. You'll shave time off your trip. |
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| I had a problem at that crossing in 2007. It was my naivete that caused it. Ultimately the Canadian authorities were understanding and cut me a break. That said,
1. Make sure you have complete registration of your boat and trailer.
2. Take documents showing ownership of both boat and trailer.
3. Make sure all the numbers match; that is, that the number painted on your boat matches what is on your registration card/paper.
I got caught because I had naively painted a temporary state registration number on my boat and didn't check when I got my permanent card. (I was a first time boat owner.) The permanent number was different from the temporary. Bang, I got caught at the border two years later. But as I said, they were nice; checked with my state authorities; and then let me in. |
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Posts: 134
Location: East TN | Cast - 5/13/2009 10:49 AM
I had a problem at that crossing in 2007. It was my naivete that caused it. Ultimately the Canadian authorities were understanding and cut me a break. That said,
1. Make sure you have complete registration of your boat and trailer.
2. Take documents showing ownership of both boat and trailer.
3. Make sure all the numbers match; that is, that the number painted on your boat matches what is on your registration card/paper.
I got caught because I had naively painted a temporary state registration number on my boat and didn't check when I got my permanent card. (I was a first time boat owner.) The permanent number was different from the temporary. Bang, I got caught at the border two years later. But as I said, they were nice; checked with my state authorities; and then let me in.
Well, Since TN doesn't require registration of boat trailers, I'm hoping this won't be a problem. Although I do have the registration card for my boat. I also had my bank, where i'm financing my boat, mail me a copy of some papers stating that I do own the boat, and it lists all the Serial numbers of the boat, trailer, and motor along with my name on the papers. So i'm hoping this should be good enough. Thanks for all the tips guys. |
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Posts: 169
Location: Houlton, WI | its never been a problem for me just make sure you dont have any bombs in it!  |
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Posts: 1516
| Good advice |
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Towing a boat into Canada?