SC Boat Registration Fees

Fee Summary Table

Here's every fee you might encounter when registering a boat in South Carolina:

All fees are paid by check or money order payable to SCDNR. No cash accepted by mail.

Title and Registration Fee ($20)

South Carolina charges a single $20 combined fee that covers both your boat's title and registration. Unlike many states that charge separately for each, SC bundles them together.

This fee applies to the boat (vessel) only. If you have an outboard motor that needs titling, that's a separate charge.

Outboard Motor Title Fee ($10)

Each outboard motor 5 horsepower or greater must be titled separately at $10 per motor.

Motors that don't need titling:

• Outboard motors under 5 HP
• Inboard motors (they're considered part of the vessel)
• Jet drives and stern drives (also part of the vessel)

Most recreational boats have a single outboard motor, so you'll typically pay one $10 fee. Twin-engine setups pay $20 (two motors at $10 each).

Casual Excise Tax (5%)

This is usually the biggest part of your total cost. South Carolina charges a 5% Casual Excise Tax on the purchase price of your boat. Think of it as a sales tax for private transactions.

Key details:

• Boat cap: Maximum $500 per vessel. So on a $10,000+ boat, you'll never pay more than $500 in excise tax on the vessel itself.
• Motor cap: Maximum $500 per motor (when purchased with a boat). Same deal — the tax tops out at $500 per motor.
• Calculation: 5% of the actual purchase price, up to the cap.

Motor-Only Purchases (No Cap)

Here's an important distinction that catches people off guard: if you're buying just a motor (no boat), the excise tax has no $500 cap. You pay the full 5% of the purchase price.

Late Fees and Penalties

You have 30 days from the date of sale to file your registration without penalty. After that:

• 31-60 days late: $15 penalty
• More than 60 days late: $30 penalty

The clock starts from the date of sale — not when you decided to register, not when you first took the boat out, and not when you "got around to it." The date on your bill of sale is what SCDNR uses.

Duplicate Title Fee ($5)

If the seller can't find the original title, you'll need to apply for a duplicate. SCDNR charges $5 per missing title. If both the boat title and motor title are missing, that's $10 total in duplicate fees.

In this situation, you'll also need a notarized bill of sale as your primary proof of purchase.

Real-World Cost Examples

Here's what actual boat buyers in SC can expect to pay:

Family Transfer Tax Exemption

Transfers between immediate family members are exempt from the Casual Excise Tax. You still pay the title and registration fees ($20 for the boat, $10 per motor), but the 5% tax is waived entirely.

Qualifying relationships:

• Parent and child
• Siblings (brothers and sisters)
• Grandparent and grandchild
• Spouses

To claim the exemption, complete Section I of the BTR-1 form (Family Transfer Exemption). You'll need to indicate the relationship between buyer and seller.

How BoatForms Calculates Your Cost

BoatForms automatically calculates every fee based on your specific situation. Enter your purchase price, sale date, and boat details, and the app shows you:

• Exact excise tax (with cap applied automatically)
• Motor title fees based on the number and type of motors
• Late fees if applicable
• Family transfer exemption when eligible
• Total amount for your check to SCDNR

Related Guides

• How to Register a Boat in South Carolina
• SC Boat Title Transfer: Complete Guide
• South Carolina Boat Bill of Sale
• What Forms Do I Need to Register a Boat in SC?

Frequently Asked Questions