Overview
On top of registration sits Maryland's vessel excise tax: 5% of the purchase price or fair market value, with a $5 minimum tax on the cheapest boats and, as of July 1, 2026, a new $16,100 cap on the most expensive ones. Buy through a licensed dealer and you get a trade-in credit against the tax, the same as cars; buy private-party and there's no such credit. Immediate-family transfers are excise-tax-exempt, similar to the VR-103 exemption for vehicles.
01 - Official fees
Maryland boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel registration (2 years, any length) | $70.00 | flat rate since October 2025 |
| Boat title fee | $20.00 | up from $2 before October 2025 |
| Vessel excise tax | 5% | of purchase price or fair market value |
| Minimum vessel excise tax | $5.00 | |
| Maximum vessel excise tax | $16,100.00 | cap effective July 1, 2026 |
| Small motorized vessel (≤ 16 ft, ≤ 7.5 hp) | $70.00 | previously exempt from registration fee |
| Immediate-family transfer | $0 excise tax | exemption similar to vehicle VR-103 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Maryland MVA - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Maryland
- 1
Get the boat titled - DNR Form B-240 covers both title and registration applications.
- 2
Have the seller sign over the title, or provide a bill of sale with the actual purchase price.
- 3
Submit the form to Maryland DNR, a licensed dealer, or an authorized tag agent.
- 4
Pay the $20 title fee, the $70 two-year registration, and the 5% vessel excise tax (minus any dealer trade-in credit).
- 5
Display your Maryland registration numbers and the current validation decal on both sides of the bow.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Maryland vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Maryland boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Maryland now?
$70 for a two-year registration, regardless of length, plus a $20 title fee for a new title. On top of that, first-time buyers owe 5% vessel excise tax on the purchase price or fair market value, with a $5 minimum and a $16,100 maximum as of July 2026.
I have a small jon boat with a trolling motor - do I still need to register it?
Yes, as of the October 2025 fee changes. Vessels 16 feet or under with 7.5 horsepower or less used to get a free registration; that exemption was eliminated, and they now pay the same flat $70 two-year fee as any other powered boat.
Does a boat trade-in reduce the vessel excise tax?
Only through a licensed boat dealer - the tax is assessed on the purchase price minus the value of any vessel traded in as part of the sale. Private-party purchases get no trade-in credit.
Is there sales tax on top of the vessel excise tax?
No - the 5% vessel excise tax is Maryland's complete tax on boat purchases, paid to DNR at registration. It doesn't stack with the state's general sales tax.
Can I gift a boat to a family member tax-free in Maryland?
Yes - a transfer between immediate family members is exempt from the vessel excise tax, including the $5 minimum, as long as both parties meet Maryland's immediate-family definition and titling conditions.
Is there a cap on how much excise tax I could owe on an expensive boat?
Yes, a new one: effective July 1, 2026, the vessel excise tax is capped at $16,100 no matter how expensive the boat, so a $1 million yacht owes the same tax as one priced right at the cap threshold.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.