If you are planning to import a water craft into the U.S., U.S. Consolidated Customs Brokers can help navigate the process for you. Whether you’re importing a multimillion-dollar yacht, a sailboat or a wave runner, we are here to help. We specialize in the U.S. Customs clearance for all types of boats in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and all other U.S. ports of entry.
When a foreign built vessel/ yacht/boat first enters the U.S., the importer is required to process a formal entry with U.S. Customs and pay all applicable duties/fees. This process can be complex and involve several federal agencies so you’ll want to engage the services of a U.S. Customs broker for your boat to process the entry on your behalf.
Most imported boats & yachts have fuel powered engines (primary or auxiliary) that require EPA Certification so detailed information will be required. As part of this process, the importer will need to provide the following details for each engine: Make, Model, Year & month of manufacture, Serial number, EPA engine family name. Providing a Certificate of Conformity is highly recommended and often required.
Upon payment of the applicable duties, the importer will be provided entry summary documents as proof the boat, yacht, sailboat or personal watercraft has cleared U.S. Customs. These documents should be retained with the boat as proof it has formally cleared U.S. Customs and can be operated freely in U.S. waters as a duty paid vessel.
Most boats, yachts & sailboats imported into the U.S. are subject to 1.5% rate of duty, based upon it’s purchase price or appraised fair market value. While Miami and Fort Lauderdale are very active import centers for marine vessels of all types, we are qualified to process boats through every port in the U.S.
We also process boat trailers through U.S. Customs on behalf of importers. It will be important to have the boat trailer’s 17-digit vehicle identification number as it’s import is also regulated by the Department of Transportation so additional reporting is required.
Please contact U.S. Consolidated today for assistance with the import/customs clearance of your boat, yacht, sailboat, or pleasure craft.
