Looking for a customs broker

[jeffgraf]

Hey,

We are about to import our boat in the US for the first time (to sell it), and don't know much about the import process. Does anyone know a good customs broker? We will go thru customs in Florida, but the boat will be registered in California.

Thanks!
Jeff

[Zzmeyer]

If you list with a broker some will know the process. Atlantic Cruising Yachts in Fort Lauderdale is one. Curious why you would register in California. Are you moving the boat there. If you document the boat you don’t/can’t register it in California. In that state you do one or the other. You also want to avoid state sales/use tax.

[dfelsent]

When I shipped and imported my boat the shipping company suggested
https://masterpieceintl.com/
Worked for me.
Ask them about port of entry and EPA engine documents.

[jeffgraf]

Thanks - Trying to do without a broker for once... (we also got quite a bit of demand for the boat already). I thought it had to be California since this we are resident in CA. If we can do it in Florida - even better!

Will contact Masterpieceintl - thanks!

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by jeffgraf

Thanks - Trying to do without a broker for once... (we also got quite a bit of demand for the boat already). I thought it had to be California since this we are resident in CA. If we can do it in Florida - even better!

Will contact Masterpieceintl - thanks!

Hi Jeff,

Been in the import/export business for 30+ years. Most things are pretty straightforward but I THINK from very limited reading, that boats are a bit more complicated. If I understand correctly in addition to customs clearance and any import duties there is also a requirement to certify that systems meet US safety requirements. Things like electric, propane etc that are done differently for example on a CE certified boat in Europe.

I have a customs broker that I work with that might be able to handle this. Basic fee is around $100 for filing the docs and clearing the cargo from US customs. Other fees incurred like import duty etc they will bill at their cost.

Let me know if you want their contact information.

[jmschmidt]

I recommend Michelle Terorotua <michelle@compasslogisticsmarine.com. Fast service, reasonable fee, will set you up with a surveyor that will give the lowest value that Customs will except for the calculation of duty. Be aware there are also a ton of nuisance fees that add up but are not based on the boats value.

Note: South African built boats are supposed to be duty free into the US. However, I'm told that a new lady lawyer at Customs in DC has a taken a strained interpenetration of the US treaty (which has been renewed to 2025) with that country. She believes that the boat must come directly from SA to the US. Mine was in the BVI for several years on charter before I imported it into the US. Result: I had to pay up. I have talked to a number of owners of SA built boats who never were required to pay duty to import. Ten years ago we imported an SA built boat from French Polynesia into the US at Honolulu. No duty according to Honolulu Customs office.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by jmschmidt

I recommend Michelle Terorotua <michelle@compasslogisticsmarine.com. Fast service, reasonable fee, will set you up with a surveyor that will give the lowest value that Customs will except for the calculation of duty. Be aware there are also a ton of nuisance fees that add up but are not based on the boats value.

Note: South African built boats are supposed to be duty free into the US. However, I'm told that a new lady lawyer at Customs in DC has a taken a strained interpenetration of the US treaty (which has been renewed to 2025) with that country. She believes that the boat must come directly from SA to the US. Mine was in the BVI for several years on charter before I imported it into the US. Result: I had to pay up. I have talked to a number of owners of SA built boats who never were required to pay duty to import. Ten years ago we imported an SA built boat from French Polynesia into the US at Honolulu. No duty according to Honolulu Customs office.

Sounds like they specialize in marine imports so should be the best option.

However I would like to hear more about the strained interpenetration of the lawyer.