Looking to Buy a Boat? Learn How to Buy and Ship a Boat from the USA.

Are you on Ebay or Yacht World looking to find a deal on a used boat? Noticed that most of the affordable and significantly cheaper boats are located in the United States? Do not worry, you aren't the only one. Each year thousands of boats are bought in the USA and shipped to eager customers all around the world. However, when looking to buy a boat through Ebay, boat dealers or other online retailers, you must make sure that you really are getting a bargain.

Buying a used boat can come with a lot of risk, and reward. Consider the following buying and international boat shipping tips:

-Consider who you are buying from. Is this a private sale from an owner or a company?

-What is the history of the boat? Check the hull identification number (HIN) of the boat in question to see the complete history and make sure the information given by the seller matches. Don't be afraid to question the seller, some important questions you should consider are: "How was the boat stored?", "What equipment comes with the boat?" and "Has the boat had any major repairs?"

-Reliable sellers will provide extensive pictures of the boat, including pictures of the exterior, interior and all major equipment. A seller who can only provide a generic picture of the boat most likely is trying to hide something.

-Ask for an inspection. A boat inspector will check the general condition of the boat including looking for cracks in the hull, rusty or old equipment, etc.

-Look out for hurricane boats! After a major hurricane frustrated sellers will try anything to get rid of their damaged boat. While the price might be too tempting to pass, consider that the boat could have received considerable damage during the hurricane. If the boat was not properly stored and floated away you run the risk of buying a boat that was grounded on land with damage to the hull, engine and other major components of the boat.

Once you have found the boat of your dream you will need to arrange international boat shipping services from the United States. Shipping a boat is not the same as shipping a box of toys, therefore you want to make sure you employ the services of a reliable international shipping company with experience shipping boats. A good shipping company will ask the right questions, "are you shipping your boat on a trailer or a cradle?", "is the boat sitting in water or in storage?", "what size boat are you shipping?". From these questions, the shipping company can recommend the best shipping option for your boat. Boats are typically shipped on roll-on / roll-off ships that can accommodate boats on trailer and cradle. Shipping a boat on a trailer is always cheaper than shipping on a cradle and is much easier to move. Smaller boats are sometimes loaded inside a container. A good shipping company should be able to advise you on the best way to ship your boat.

So, you have found a great boat at an affordable price and you love your international shipping company, so this means the next step is figuring out how what you have to do in your home country. When you import a boat you will also need an agent in your home country to help you clear customs and prepare all the necessary paperwork for importation. One very important factor you should check before you buy a boat is how much your home country will charge you for duties and taxes on the boat. Some countries have a negligible or no duty on boats, while other countries can have duties up to 25% of the boat's value! Therefore, make sure you check what your country's policy is before you decide to buy that boat.

If you are brave enough to go through the buying and shipping process, buying a boat in the USA can be a rewarding experience. With ample international boat shipping services from the United States to South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East, the possibilities for buying in the USA make the journey worth it.

Robert Rinaldo is the author of this article on international boat shipping.