Overview
The real headline is the tax: New Jersey charges boats and other vessels exactly half its standard Sales Tax rate - 3.3125% instead of 6.625% - and caps the total tax collectible on one sale at $20,000, no matter how expensive the boat. On a $700,000 yacht that cap alone saves roughly $23,000 compared to the full rate with no ceiling. Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and other non-motorized small craft don't register at all.
01 - Official fees
New Jersey boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft | $12.00/yr | |
| 16 ft to under 26 ft | $28.00/yr | |
| 26 ft to under 40 ft | $52.00/yr | |
| 40 ft to under 65 ft | $80.00/yr | |
| 65 ft and over | $250.00/yr | |
| Boat title (over 12 ft) | $60 / $85 | no lien / one lien |
| Sales tax on boats | 3.3125% | half the standard rate, capped at $20,000 total tax |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in New Jersey
- 1
Get a signed title from the seller if the boat is over 12 feet long - required regardless of motor.
- 2
Bring the title (or manufacturer's statement of origin for new boats) and a bill of sale to an MVC agency.
- 3
Pay 3.3125% Sales Tax on the purchase price, capped at $20,000 total tax on any single sale.
- 4
Pay the title fee ($60, or $85 with a lien) and the annual registration fee for the boat's length.
- 5
Display the New Jersey registration numbers and current decal on both sides of the bow as required.
03 - Same state, other costs
More New Jersey vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
New Jersey boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in New Jersey?
Between $12 and $250 a year depending on length: $12 under 16 feet, $28 for 16–25 ft 11 in, $52 for 26–39 ft 11 in, $80 for 40–64 ft 11 in, and $250 at 65 feet and up. Add the $60 (or $85 with a lien) title fee for boats over 12 feet on a first-time purchase.
Why do boats get half the sales tax rate in New Jersey?
State law specifically sets Sales Tax on boats and other vessels at half the standard rate - 3.3125% instead of 6.625% - to keep large boat purchases competitive with neighboring states that offer their own marine tax breaks. It's applied automatically at titling; there's no application needed.
Is there really a cap on boat sales tax no matter the price?
Yes - New Jersey caps the total Sales Tax collectible on one boat sale at $20,000. On a boat priced high enough that 3.3125% would exceed $20,000 (roughly $604,000 and up), you simply owe the $20,000 cap and nothing more.
Do kayaks or paddleboards need to register in New Jersey?
No - canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and other non-motorized small craft are excluded from registration and the half-rate boat tax rules altogether. Add a motor of any size and the vessel typically needs to register like any other powered boat.
Does an outboard motor bought with a used boat get its own title in New Jersey?
No - unlike some states, New Jersey titles the boat as a single unit including its motor; there's no separate outboard-motor title fee to budget for on top of the boat's own title.
Why does my boat register with the MVC instead of a wildlife agency?
New Jersey consolidated boat titling and registration into the Motor Vehicle Commission rather than splitting it off to a parks or fish-and-wildlife agency the way some states do - one visit and one set of forms covers both a car and a boat.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.