Free Maine Boat Bill of Sale

Maine Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Sales Tax Details

Maine's 5.5% Sales and Use Tax applies to private boat sales. Paid at the time of registration through the Maine DIFW or authorized agent. Maine has no county-level sales tax add-on.

Exemption: Commercial fishing vessels used exclusively for licensed commercial fishing operations may qualify for sales tax exemptions under Maine law — consult the Maine Revenue Services for eligibility.

Inspection Requirements

Maine has no mandatory boat safety inspection at the point of private sale or registration transfer. The Maine DIFW enforces boating safety regulations on the water, including required safety equipment, but a pre-sale inspection is not required to complete title or registration.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife — boat registration handled through DIFW offices and authorized agents statewide — not the same agency that handles cars in Maine. Plan for separate filings.

Maine Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Locate the 17-character Hull Identification Number (HIN) — stamped or molded into the transom (rear of hull) on the starboard side near the top.
2. Determine whether the boat requires a title: motorized boats 14 feet or longer need a title transfer using Maine BMV Form MVD-355. Smaller motorized boats and sailboats need registration only through Maine DIFW.
3. Seller endorses the Maine boat title (if one exists) over to the buyer, or provides the current Maine DIFW registration certificate for registration-only vessels.
4. Both parties sign a bill of sale with the HIN, year, make, model, hull length, engine details (if motorized), sale price, date, and both parties' full names and addresses.
5. Seller removes Maine boat registration numbers and stickers — the registration certificate and current numbers belong to the seller's registration record.
6. Buyer completes Maine DIFW boat registration paperwork and, if applicable, Maine BMV Form MVD-355 for title.
7. Buyer pays the 5.5% Maine Sales and Use Tax on the sale price plus applicable registration and title fees at the Maine DIFW office or authorized agent.
8. Buyer affixes new Maine registration numbers to both sides of the bow per DIFW requirements, with numbers readable from port and starboard.

Common Pitfalls

• Confusing the registration agency: Maine boat registration goes through the Maine DIFW, not the BMV (which handles motor vehicle registrations). Going to a BMV agent for boat registration will result in being redirected — contact Maine DIFW directly for boat-specific guidance.
• Recording a VIN instead of the HIN: boats use a 17-character Hull Identification Number, not a vehicle VIN. The two formats look similar but are assigned by different systems. Use the HIN exactly as it appears on the hull — a single transposition creates document mismatches that delay registration.
• Selling a titled motorized boat (14ft+) without a valid Maine title: if a title was never obtained or was lost, the seller must apply for a replacement title from the Maine BMV before the sale can be completed cleanly.
• Assuming Maine excise tax applies to boats: unlike cars and trucks in Maine, boats are not subject to the annual excise tax. Only the 5.5% Sales and Use Tax applies to Maine boat purchases — buyers budget accordingly.

Pro Tip

Maine boat transactions are more straightforward than Maine car sales because excise tax does not apply — buyers owe only the 5.5% Sales and Use Tax at DIFW registration, with no mandatory pre-registration inspection. The most important pre-sale step is confirming whether the boat requires a title (motorized, 14 feet or longer) and whether a valid Maine title already exists. If it does not, the seller must resolve the title before the sale proceeds. Bring the HIN, the signed title or registration certificate, and the bill of sale to the Maine DIFW office in a single visit to complete registration efficiently.

Maine Boat Bill of Sale — FAQs