What you've got to do is,, find one that you think you might like in the US,, add 22% for exchange, plus add 5% for GST, and then add in another $5000 to $8000 for the import inspection/registration.
I'm not sure I would factor in $5,000 to $8,000 for the import.
Did it cost me $6000...yes it did...however I think those are things that would have needed to be done anyway...regardless of where the aircraft came from.
I forget all of the things we did now (no logs on me)...but one of the larger items was replacing virtually all of the control cables...which were in terrible condition.
Yes...get the airplane you like...it really doesn't make much financial sense...but hey, it seems like the best things in life don't make financial sense!
Not to detour this thread -- but I'm pondering somewhat of a "special case" in perhaps registering our currently N-numbered 150-C in Canada.
We own a second home near Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, where there is an airport with hangar space at Erickson, MB. Someday, maybe even more sooner than later, we intend to spend up to six months at a time at our Canadian home, which we love much more than ours here in the U.S.
N7939Z has no major modifications (although a tailwheel conversion is planned), has a current annual as of last July and title search done 22 months back when we purchased the airplane. Weighing the advantages of owner-maintenance (against the disadvantage of not being able to fly back south of the border), how much of a hassle would it be to register in Manitoba? Taking into account we're homeowners there (which does have some privileges, albeit paying taxes).
My wife says I'd miss having the plane here, but then -- flying in Canada is just so much more fun -- like when and if I ever get the plane on skis, eh!
Steven, Maybe... Here is an exerpt from the COPA book (available from the member section of their website) on foreign ownership. If you need more, let me know. Whole book is just over 1/2 meg.
Steven, I would wonder what benefit you would get out of registering here in Canada. As long as you have a US pilot's license, I believe you are foot loose and fancy free. I would imagine,, you'd find it cost prohibitive. No one has really said,, but I'm about 98% sure that at a minimum, the inspection and related paperwork will cost $5000. And then, there is the tax thing. I don't know if Manitoba has a "sales tax", or how GST is applied. One thing I do know for sure,, and here I'll use a car as an example. Let's assume you purchased a vehicle say,, 3 years ago in Alberta, or the US,, well guess what, they expect their sales tax when you register it in BC,, yep, even if you've owned the thing for several years. "They use the blue book value". Regarding GST,, that one I don't know how it's applied.
GST is applied at the border or where you clear customs. When I trailered my plane home, customs took care of the GST right away with my credit card. Then interviewed me for over 20 minutes about the airplane, asking many times if I had another bill of sale with a higher price on it! Only after they searched me and I showed them the website of the company that I bought it from, did they let me go.
John, looks like you had an experience with customs. I paid my taxes when I cleared customs as well. 4 months later, they sent me an invoice stating I needed to pay the same taxes over again. I called them and they indicated I hadn't paid. When I told them I'd paid already,, they wanted me to send them a copy of my receipt. I told them I wouldn't, for them to get their sh-t together and find it themselves. They eventually found it,,,,
