Free Florida Boat Bill of Sale
Florida's boat tax is famously capped at $18,000 per vessel — the highest cap in the country — making Florida the go-to state for luxury boat buyers. Vessels register with FLHSMV through county Tax Collector offices (not a separate marine agency like Texas), using HSMV 82040 for title and HSMV 87002 for registration.
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Florida Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
6% state sales tax capped at $18,000 per vessel (highest cap in the country for boats). County discretionary surtax (0.5%–1.5%) applies to first $5,000 of sale price.
Exemption: Non-motorized vessels under 16ft exempt. Vessels removed from Florida within 90 days may qualify for refund. Immediate-family transfers exempt.
Inspection Requirements
No state safety or emissions inspection for Florida vessels. USCG safety equipment requirements apply to operation.
Florida Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify HIN on transom matches title — Hull ID Number is a 12-character code etched on the starboard transom (post-1972 vessels).
- Complete bill of sale with HIN, length, year, make, motor serial, and sale price.
- Trailer separately? Trailers require their own HSMV 82040 + bill of sale + title transfer.
- Seller completes Florida title odometer-style disclosure (not applicable to pure vessels but required for some hybrid vessels).
- Seller files HSMV 82050 Notice of Sale within 30 days at flhsmv.gov.
- Buyer completes HSMV 82040 (title) and HSMV 87002 (registration) at county Tax Collector within 30 days.
- Buyer pays 6% state tax (capped at $18,000 per vessel) + county surtax (first $5,000) + title & registration fees.
- USCG-documented vessels: federal titling via USCG National Vessel Documentation Center, NOT state title. Florida tax may still apply.
Common Pitfalls
- Going to a marine agency — Florida boats register through the same Tax Collector offices as cars. No separate marine department.
- Buying a $1M+ boat and over-budgeting for tax — the $18,000 cap means tax on a $500,000 boat is the same as a $1.5M boat (both hit the cap).
- Missing separate trailer transfer — boat trailers require their own title transfer at the same Tax Collector visit.
- Assuming USCG-documented vessels are exempt from Florida tax — they're federally titled but still owe Florida tax if used in-state.
Pro Tip
Florida boat sales stand out for two reasons: the $18,000 tax cap and the lack of a separate marine agency. Use HSMV 82040 + HSMV 87002 at the county Tax Collector, cap your tax at $18,000, and remember to handle the trailer separately.