South Carolina Boat Bill of Sale Requirements

South Carolina Boat transfer fees and requirements

In South Carolina, the title transfer fee is $15 and registration costs $24 per year. Boat sales are subject to 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) capped at $500. South Carolina does not require notarization for private-party boat transfers. South Carolina does not require emission testing for private-party boat sales.

• 5% IMF on vehicle purchases, capped at $500
• Title transfer within 45 days of sale
• Property tax must be paid before registration

South Carolina sales tax on boat purchases

South Carolina has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. Private-party boat sales in South Carolina are subject to sales tax. IMF applies to all vehicle sales, capped at $500 max. The title transfer fee is $15.

Boat market data and safety information

The most common boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Boats average 1.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used boat

Before completing a boat bill of sale in South Carolina, verify these safety items:

• Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents
• Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
• Inspect transom for softness or rot — the most expensive structural repair
• Test all bilge pumps, navigation lights, and required safety equipment

Boat insurance and depreciation in South Carolina

Boat insurance averages $200–$500/year for boats under 26 ft. Agreed-value policies are preferred over actual-cash-value. Boats depreciate 30–40% in the first 5 years. Aluminum fishing boats hold value better than fiberglass sport boats. Peak season for private boat sales is early spring (march–may) ahead of boating season, with an average of 45 days on market.

Boat registration and titling

Boats are classified as "Watercraft (state-registered) or USCG-documented vessel" for registration purposes. Boats are measured by length, not weight, for registration. Trailers have separate weight-based registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to boats.

Boat title transfer rules

Boat ownership transfer uses a Hull Identification Number (HIN), not a VIN. Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard (typically over 26 feet) transfer through federal documentation, not state title. State-titled boats transfer like vehicles with a signed title and bill of sale. State-titled boats use a certificate of title similar to a vehicle. USCG-documented vessels use a federal Certificate of Documentation. Buyers should verify which system applies before closing.

Odometer disclosure for boat sales

Boats are exempt from federal odometer disclosure requirements. There is no mileage or engine-hour disclosure mandate, though documenting engine hours on the bill of sale is considered best practice.

• Applicable law: 46 CFR Part 67 — USCG Documentation of Vessels

Required disclosures for boat sales in South Carolina

When selling a boat in South Carolina, the following disclosures apply:

• USCG documentation status — vessels over 5 net tons may be federally documented instead of state-titled.
• Hull condition and any history of submersion, grounding, or hurricane damage should be disclosed.
• Trailer inclusion — if the boat is sold with a trailer, the trailer requires its own title transfer in most states.

South Carolina bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,283 bill of sale documents for South Carolina transactions, with 35 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.