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 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN) — stamped or molded into the transom (rear of hull) on the starboard side near the top.
2. Confirm whether the boat needs registration: every boat with a motor, of any size, must be registered with Maine IF&W. Maine does not title boats.
3. Seller gives the buyer the current Maine IF&W registration certificate (and any title from another state, if the boat has one).
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. The boat number stays with the boat: the buyer applies for a new certificate of number and lists the original boat number on the application.
6. Buyer pays the watercraft excise tax at their town office, then completes the Maine IF&W boat registration in person (new registrations need proof of sales tax).
7. Buyer pays the 5.5% Maine Sales and Use Tax on the sale price plus the registration fee (set by motor horsepower and inland or tidal waters) at the Maine IF&W office or authorized agent.
8. Buyer displays the boat number and the new validation stickers on both sides of the bow per IF&W requirements.

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 12-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 without the current registration certificate: Maine does not title boats, so the signed registration and a complete bill of sale are the buyer's proof of ownership. Find the certificate before the sale.
• Forgetting the watercraft excise tax: Maine boats pay a yearly excise tax, based on length, to the owner's town, and it must be paid before the boat can be registered. Budget for it on top of the 5.5% Sales and Use Tax.

Pro Tip

Maine boat buyers pay the yearly watercraft excise tax at their town office and the 5.5% Sales and Use Tax, then register with IF&W — there is no mandatory pre-registration inspection. Maine does not title boats, so the most important pre-sale step is making sure the seller has the current registration certificate. 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