Importing boats from U.S.
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Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=57934
Printed Date: 16 Jun 2026 at 1:43am
Topic: Importing boats from U.S.
Posted By: Force5
Subject: Importing boats from U.S.
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2010 at 8:22pm
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Seems to be some great prices on boats for sale in the U.S. at the moment.
Has anyone had experience importing boats that can give a breakdown of all the costs that must be considered (freight, duty, GST, regulatory, compliance etc etc). Any pitfalls to be avoided? (different models of motors/ electonics etc).
Best to go through an importing agent?
Sorry if this has been done before I had a search for the topic but couldn't see anything.
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Replies:
Posted By: Busted!
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2010 at 10:47pm
| Boat exports need to be signed of by a licensed transfer agent, who can handle the coastguard release papers. Owners can't release the boat, so if you send the $ the owner walks and you don't get the boat. Not everyone can do export permits. They do charge too, so pays to get someone that isn't going to stuff you around... |
Posted By: Unclejake
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2010 at 2:53pm
| Force5 - we looked at bringing in a 48 foot displacement vessel from Florida and the freight was NZD$85k |
Posted By: Force5
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2010 at 5:06pm
| Thanks for comments, looks like some serious investigation is required before I even think about starting to search for boats, there is a 10% duty and then 15% GST to stick on top of everything else so maybe the prices wont look so good after everyone has had a piece of the action |
Posted By: wanabe
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2010 at 9:23pm
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About 8 years ago some guys where bringing Bayliner boats in, and there key was to have a rep in USA so he could get the best deals, and they used to put 2 boats in 1 container, then they shipped them on closed in boats as the sea spry was to hard and they had lots off damage not sure if they still do it. some good looking rigs though |
Posted By: Steve63
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2010 at 9:06pm
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I brought a 34 foot bayliner into the country from Oregan about 5 years ago. The exchange rate was similar to current. I did save money but there are pitfalls/hidden costs and it takes careful organising.
You don't say what size, style or brand of boat you are considering and this could definately change the economics or strategy. But heres a few things I learned.
If you buy privately you need to use an escrow to protect your money, not all states require a coastguard release so check that out carefully, you'll probably want to find a local to undertake a survey and seatrial unless you are sufficently skilled and intend to incur the cost of flying up to check the boat out yourself, inland frieght can be expensive so as much as it seems attrative to buy a freshwater lake boat it is probably best to buy close to the seaport you intend to ship from, unless the boat has a trailer you'll need to have a cradle constructed, I beleive duty is 7.5% not 10%, International frieght costs have risen significantly since I brought ours in and some ports are more cost effective than others, last I heard a 40footer would cost around USD40k for seafreight,
don't forget to add insurance costs and NZ port charges...I got pinged $3k demurage at port Auckland becuase the bilge had water in it and it sat on dock for 5 days waiting to be cleaned
I guess it also depends on what is your primary objective.....eg save money on a boat for yourself or make a buck on resale....the later is tough as NZ boat buyers are very conservative and selling a US boat is in my experience definately tougher than selling an NZ or Aussie made boat .
Overall this can be a positive and worthwhile experience but it is not without its risks. Be prepared to research very carefully or get burned.
PS I subsequently owned a Genesis which I found much better suited to the kiwi way of boating and when I went to sell it simply came down to getting the price right rather than having to battle potential buyers perceptions and misconceptions.
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Posted By: Raging Bull
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2010 at 9:00am
| I know a few guys that have bought boats in from Japan, certainly get a lot of boat for your buck but i have not done it myself. Tau website has second hand boats. |
Posted By: CEEBEE
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2010 at 2:52pm
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I would suggest you look locally....plenty out there at the right price and you know what your getting cause you can go see it / sea trial etc and haggle prices. ------------- I STARTED THE DAY WITH NO FISH AND I STILL HAVE PLENTY LEFT |
Posted By: Unclejake
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2010 at 4:09pm
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^ That is what we decided in the end. Bringing a big timber boat in from the USA seemed really cheap until we got seriously involved in the hidden costs and still there was the risk of the vessel being unsound.
Strangely, the Yanks seem to like electric (110V) galleys.
A cheap 48ft Grand Banks was USD$90k, plus getting it here (add NZD$100k?) and then conversions to gas, hacking out rotten timber etc. (NZD$40k?). After a while the local NZ boats @ NZD$400k and in stunning condition started to look OK.
A year later and the same NZ boats are still on the market and the vendors are asking $350k or less. Local boats start to look good
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Posted By: Force5
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2010 at 9:02am
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Thanks all for the comments. I have a close relative in Corpus Christi, Texas, who is a "small
" boat game fishing fan, i.e 28 footers with big twin/ triple outboards. So was hoping to find a boat close enough to him that he could check it out for me and also help with arrangements. I have been looking at around the 28-30 ft with twin inboard diesels shaft drives, these are reasonably rare in the states where they love their petrol power. I like the looks of the Rampage 28s and there are some out there at around $50K with diesels or $30K with petrols. Sounds like I can add easily 50 K, at least, to this to get it here. I think 'buy local' certainly stacks up.
Once again thanks for all your help.
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Posted By: moomba
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2010 at 3:31pm
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Hi there
Ive just returned home from vancouver canada where i spent many hours looking at boats and comparing prices i drove across the border to seattle as shipping from here was easier mainly due to the fact that there was no roll on roll off out of vancouver. I looked at all sorts of boats and still havnt decided on what im going to buy ive looked at ski/family boats and it seems no matter what you buy doing it this way will definitly save you money and shipping doesnt seem to expensive and land transport shrink wrapping etc is all included in the purchase.
Ive more recently been looking at fishing rigs as i have a mate who was interested in buying one and the prices are hard to believe and most of the boats are all fresh water only boats.
Are you still thinking about importing? Im definitly going to but just need to decide on a boat.
Cheers
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Posted By: Gadzook
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 9:17am
| I'd work with an agent since they're more likely to be well-versed in all that's involved. I used http://https://www.a1autotransport.com/services/boat-transport.php" rel="nofollow - A-1 boat shipping service a couple years back to have on delivered from the U.S. I don't remember the exact price, but it was when fuel prices were pretty steep so it was high (make sure to include overland transport costs to get to part too). Obviously the size and weight of the boat are big factors in the cost. |
Posted By: vam2000
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2016 at 7:05pm
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ATTENTION ALL!!
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Posted By: MarkE
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2016 at 9:43pm
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If purchasing from overseas ALWAYS use Paypal. ------------- Sea Strike 18' Centre Console - Under Construction.... http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/sea-strike-18-build-thread_topic87723_page1.html" rel="nofollow - Build Thread here |
Posted By: Garry 23041
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 7:24am
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I imported a digger from Japan and it went sweet but a lot of work. My boat is a Japanese import also and similar ones are very affordable there, but risk abounds unless you fly over and check it out in person. Even then it's tricky. I would buy from Japan over the states though and I lived in the states for many years and travel there often. Japan just seems cheaper all up and easier, if they have a boat you like etc. Buy in N.Z first if at all possible as others have said would be my advice. |
Posted By: paulaya
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2019 at 3:13pm
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Hi Garry Im not sure if you are still looking this topic. Which company did you use to import a digger from Japan. I am looking for the way to import a boat from Japan. Thank you.
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Posted By: Garry 23041
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 7:44am
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I purchased the digger f.o.b. (Free on board) so the ship etc was all down to them. We paid the money into a Japanese bank a/c and they released the funds to the vendor upon viewing the bill of lading (there's an acronym for this of coarse). In terms of a customs agent in N.Z it's been a long time and I forget who we used but a few phone calls will find someone for you who handles this type of load. I also have a Yamaha boat out of japan that a guy I know imported but once again a long time ago so info might not be current. There will be more cost around this on the N.Z end than you expect if you don't do your homework, cleaning, and other charges...Both my digger and my boat were excellent deals in the end but more work than some might like to undertake in terms of B.S. |
Posted By: HuntGatherRepeat
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2019 at 12:50pm
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I just used Taurus Logisitics out of Christchurch to import a boat from Florida to Akl but assume they will do anywhere. Did a RORO job and was all pretty straight forward once they had it. Overall 4 out of 5 stars. Only knocking them a bit as I let them organise cleaning, which was done upon export and had to be redone upon inport for MAFS and it's still horribly dirty. As another post mentioned, tried Boat Export USA and we're now having to go to court over the whole matter so suggest shying away from them.
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Posted By: FizFisho
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2019 at 3:18pm
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I like the look of this. https://www.marineimportsnz.com/viking-41-convertible" rel="nofollow - https://www.marineimportsnz.com/viking-41-convertible But really at the US price of $119000 for a 1986 hull, 2000 engines, are you really saving much on an import?
There was a period a while back when it was in vogue, I remember a lot of those walk around trailer boats being imported (sorry brain fog, forget the brand). |
Posted By: karuhi
Date Posted: 19 May 2019 at 10:11am
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Hello everyone, I too have been looking at importing a boat from the US, yes i have been looking at boatexportusa-some of the comments from a few years ago here are frightening me away from this idea. Has anyone imported a 6-7m centre console (or anything from the states in the last little while? the guy at boatexportusa (Gary) says an 8'6" boat will fit into a 40' HC container - does anyone here know this to be correct? I have a brother on the texas coast who can at least check a boat prior to purchase but thats about it. Also i have sent off a couple of emails to boatexportusa's NZ agent (Lucas Palmer at air transport world freight) and had no replies The entire thing is starting to smell pretty dam fishy |
Posted By: viscount
Date Posted: 20 May 2019 at 7:18am
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They will have to take the Bimini off and put it in sideways, containers are 8 ft wide. I’m looking at it as well, there is a roro that comes in to Auckland, from Los Angeles. ------------- Calling fishing a hobby is like calling brain surgery a job - Paul Schullery |
Posted By: karuhi
Date Posted: 20 May 2019 at 1:30pm
| Thanks Viscount, will send you a PM, I'm still feeling a bit dubiousof this business |
Posted By: HuntGatherRepeat
Date Posted: 20 May 2019 at 3:46pm
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Guys, do not, under any circumstances, use Boat Export USA. They are a complete rip off. Happy to take your deposit and then when they can't deliver as promised, will keep you deposit and refuse to refund stating that it's "fees" as they are not a traditional brokerage service. They also decided that after I paid a deposit, they would not only not be able to deliver on their timeline, but the cost now went up 20%. Further to that, upon arrival, you will be charged approx $2k by the local yard to unload and reassemble the boat. Add that to the cost if your going with a container. I literally had to hire a FL based attorney to get my money back and it took 6 months. Ended up using Taurus Logistics who are based in Christchurce. Highly suggest using a company that is bound by NZ law and the Acts associated with NZ law. I found Taurus to be quite good and for RORO service pretty close to the same cost as boat export usa wanted for a container service.
I imported a 23' WA and definitely learned some lessons.
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Posted By: karuhi
Date Posted: 20 May 2019 at 6:26pm
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Oh well there goes that plan then - but thanks very much for the heads up HuntGatherRepeat. Would have been a divorce for sure !! what i cant understand is ... is it a few deals that go really sour, or do they do this to every customer? they couldn't exist for long surely? anyway - onward... How did you purchase your boat? through a dealer? i take it Taurus don't do purchasing etc - more port to port. Please any info would be greatly appreciated.
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Posted By: HuntGatherRepeat
Date Posted: 20 May 2019 at 10:20pm
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Purchased through POP Yachts who were reasonably helpful. From what I understand, boat export just snags all online listings and funnels to their own site. When you enquire, they then chase the actual owner/dealer and try to do a deal. Likely they will go ahead and say you have a deal regardless, then get a deposit. If they can then secure it, then it seems to work out. If they cant, that's when it all goes to crap. Multiple cases filed against them through FL chamber of commerce and the BBB. If you order through a broker, which I suggest as they handle all paperwork, you can then sort your own logistics company. If you want to discuss flick me a PM. |
Posted By: Gibbo55
Date Posted: 21 May 2019 at 9:52pm
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Bought a Trouphy 2509 in from Virginia 18 months ago. The boat is 8 mtrs and was on a trailer so used roll on off service. The cost was 8365 usa dollars but in that was mani fest fee $25, thc $125 docs?250 land freight$700 fumigation$550. I had no problems dealing with any body in the states, my problems started at the port of Auckland. Be bloody wary of their charges. Ibought the boat off a dealer and had it shipped by Trans Global. |
Posted By: Merrytime NZ
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2019 at 4:39pm
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Hi all, New poster and enjoying the topic. I'm also an ex-pat Yank living in Auckland. I'm also considering bringing in a U.S. boat. Thought I'd add my two cents to the discussion: It appears the magic number for importing is 39' OAL and 12.4' total height. Any bigger than that and the boat can't be shipped via container, which will raise the price by at least $10k USD in most cases. Under 39' and you could be looking at as "little" as $20k USD to bring a big game fisher in. One thing I notice gets overlooked (understandably) is how vastly different the U.S. boating industry is from coast to coast and all throughout the middle. People often think of the States as one place, but in reality it's much more like the European Union, but that everyone speaks the same language (sort of). A Norwegian boat would be operating under very different environments to a Greek boat, similarly a Florida boat vs an Alaska boat etc etc. I work in the NZ marine industry and we find the most comparable U.S. market to ours would be the Pacific Northwest up into Alaska, and also New England (Maine, New York, Boston etc). California as well, but that's going to be more on the launch side. If you look at Stabicraft you'll notice their U.S. foothold started in Seattle and Alaska, since they love aluminium up there (absolutely essential in most cases). Florida (and the South in general) like open boats, and the middle is all lakes, though the Great Lakes are essentially inland oceans as far as the marine industry there is concerned. In general many inland U.S. boats are often treated like mobile apartments, so they generally have very well furnished interiors, though often limited deck space or open bows, which is no good for our waters. I lived on the Great Lakes for a bit and I wouldn't overlook the boats being sold there (despite slightly higher shipping costs). Every boat in that part of the world has to be "winterized" every year (so very well serviced). And more often than not they are stored indoors, sometimes even in heated garages. That means that any boat from Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, etc could have lived nearly half of it's life indoors. Something to consider. I respect the bad boat buying experience some have had, but sometimes these cases can be a one-off, and others may have quite a different experience. At any rate, the more boats brought in the better I say, none of us should have to mortgage our house to go fishing! ~Carl |
Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2019 at 5:10pm
Very well said and great info Carl, welcome to the kiwi fishy forum.
------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: karuhi
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2019 at 6:15pm
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Hi all, I'm still working with my boat and shipping guys. There is certainly more than one way to skin a cat with the transport - i'll tell more when i get mine sorted. Yes - you can buy very cheaply in the US. And a hell of a lot bigger range. For me I've been looking at center console inboard shaft drive diesels - around the 6-8m range, and there isn't a lot here. The thing to be aware of is...... Brands makes and models - big homework job. Use a good website like Hull Truth to look up brands,models and years. What service are you going to use for transport? Fit in a container? - Obviously beam becomes the problem. Fit in a container sideways? using a high top container - sounds weird but they do it RORO the total length. tongue of trailer to far end of boat and total highest point. Agent or private - believe me there is thousands to be saved going private, Agents chuck a fortune on boats. if going private trust becomes the issue, an escrow service, friendly boat yard etc would be wiser. you need bricks and mortar addresses to have boats picked up from i:e a business. - someones house is unwise. Survey - with an oil/fluids test it is a must. Hurricane damage etc can be hidden but may show in a fluids test. Domestic transport is really really expensive. Whew - that's about it. I have no knowledge as yet to the home port fiasco - and fingers crossed it goes smooth..........
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Posted By: karuhi
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2019 at 7:14pm
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Do you remember how many cube or your overall sizes of the boat were Gibbo ? And what hassles did you have here in NZ please - i'm working on the forewarned is forearmed scenario. cheers - Justin
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Posted By: Gibbo55
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2019 at 10:41pm
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Hi Karuhi.The only measurements i have are on the bill of lading 2499.748 kg 67.072 m3. Alot of the figures are in lbs etc.The issues in Auck were more $$$ than anything.You get 3 days free on there port after 3 days they charged me $315 a day.The boat was unloaded on a friday mpi didnt inspect the boat till tuesday. At that point im paying . Mpi ordered the boat to be washed, i had the boat pro cleaned in the states and had all the paperwork to support that. The wash people couldnt do till thurs , mpi came back on fri to inspect.You cant pick any up on the weekend and the mon was a public holiday. At this point they want $1500 storage $650 unloading fee $112.50 to load boat and trailer on to Rowe mtrs transport trailer up front. The bit that pissed me the most the truck driver had to pay $15 exit fee so they would let him out of the port?? |
Posted By: HuntGatherRepeat
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2019 at 7:56am
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Just looking at mine and the weight was 1850kgs and total CM3 is 58.26. For RORO service it cost me $11,461 NZD from Florida to Akl on a fairly direct route being under 3 weeks. GST and duty is what it is so only relevant on sale price + shipping. Same story as above. I was prepped and in Akl to pick up only to be mucked around trying to get out. Had the boat cleaned and drained in the US only to get hit with $990 in decontamination and $400 in "vacuuming". Damn thing still had leaves in it and a 50L tank of Florida fresh water when I picked it up so no idea what they actually did. All up, without gst and duty, the import cost me $15k NZD + the cost of the boat. There is some inland shipping in there so be aware. It's pretty expensive in the US, I was surprised.
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