What boaters need to know before getting on the water!

South Carolina law prohibits the sale or purchase of watercraft without a valid title issued in the seller’s name to assign to the purchaser at the time of sale.

All watercraft are required to be registered and titled except documented vessels, windsurfers, or watercraft moved by human power with oars, paddles or similar devices. Non-powered sailboats are required to be titled only. All outboard motors of five (5) horsepower or more are required to be registered and titled.

A purchaser may operate a watercraft and an outboard motor up to 30 days from the date of purchase if he has a temporary watercraft certificate and notarized bill of sale on board. The temporary watercraft certificate is the Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) application for new registration. The application is on the SCDNR website at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/forms/pdf/Application.pdf.

When marine equipment is purchased, it must be registered with the SCDNR by the end of the 30-day period. SC sales tax is paid to the SCDNR at the time of application. The property tax information is provided to Berkeley County by the SCDNR. By law, the Auditor’s office is required to send tax bills based on this information. Property taxes are not due on the marine equipment until the following year. Boat trailers are no longer taxed; however, the taxpayer may obtain a license tag from the Department of Motor Vehicles in order to allow the trailer to be pulled across SC state lines. An exempt tax receipt may be obtained from the Auditor’s Office. Marine equipment valued at $500.00 or less is exempt from property taxes. Contact the Berkeley County Auditor’s office for more information at (843) 719-4727, 719-4735 or 719-4736. You can also visit their website at https://www.berkeleycountysc.gov/drupal/auditor or the Department of Natural Resources at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating.html.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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