North Carolina Boating Information
Registration Questions:(800) 628-3773
Boating Registration Website:http://www.ncwildlife.org
State Tax Department Website:http://www.dor.state.nc.us/
Registration Grace Period (Days):90 days
Boat Sales & Use Tax Rate:3%
Credit For Tax Paid In Another State:Yes
State Decal Required For Documented Vessel:No
Boat Titles Issued:Yes
Notes:Maximum tax due is $1,500

refund for highway/Road fuel taxes paid on marine fuel:
Recreational boaters can apply for a refund of the state sales tax on gasoline and diesel fuel that is purchased at a highway pump for use in their boats. The current refund is approximately $0.18 per gallon, after taking the current tax of $0.242 and subtracting a use fee of $0.06. The claims are filed annually, and must have original sales invoices attached. Boaters may claim a refund back three years, as long as they have the receipts attached.

To download form Gas 1201 directly off the Internet, go to www.dor.state.nc.us/forms/. Once there, click on Motor Fuels and then scroll down to Gas-1201. For more information, call (919) 733-3409.

Proposed Registration Fee Increase

The North Carolina General Assembly is considering legislation that would significantly increase registration fees on recreational boats to raise revenue for coastal dredging projects. BoatU.S. is dedicated to preserving access to waterways but S.B. 58 places an unfair financial burden on recreational boaters while ignoring the responsibility of commercial fishing and for-hire charter fishing and headboats.

Please contact your State Senator today and respectfully urge them to vote oppose S.B. 58 as drafted.

Here's why:
  • Boaters who solely boat on the state's lakes and rivers will be paying for projects they will never use.
  • The fee for a 20 ft boat would jump 275% for a 3-year registration.
  • For a 40 ft boat, 3-year registration will skyrocket 1025%!
  • S.B. 58 would make a 3 year registration in North Carolina more expensive than Virginia or South Carolina for any size of boat..

Take Action now

Please let your State Senator know that you oppose S.B. 58 as drafted and ask them to consider more reasonable means to pay for dredging North Carolina's coastal inlets and essential waterways.

For specific questions about boating issues or BoatUS Government Affairs, please e-mail the department at GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com

2008 North Carolina Boating News Archive

North Carolina Boating Alerts:

Proposed Registration Fee Increase

Take Action