How to Register a boat in Hong Kong after you import it.
If you buy a New or Used boat from Overseas.
Buying a motor yacht, yacht, or speedboat from overseas can be a great deal — but registration in Hong Kong depends heavily on correct documents and consistent boat details. If you prepare the paperwork properly before you ship, the process is usually smooth. If you don’t, it can turn into weeks (or months) of back-and-forth. If all papers are done right, the process only takes a few hours.
Below is a practical, real-world guide based on what typically causes delays at the Hong Kong Marine Department.
1) New Boat vs Used Boat: What’s the Big Difference?
New boats (usually easier) A new boat purchase is normally straightforward as long as the invoice is issued to the correct owner, the builder’s certificate clearly identifies the boat, and the shipping documents match the owner and the boat details.
Used boats (can be difficult) Used motor yachts can be challenging because documents are sometimes missing (builder’s certificate, cancellation certificate, etc.), prior registration may not be properly cancelled, engine compliance can become a problem (especially with older diesel engines), and boat details (Hull ID, length) often mismatch across documents.
2) Diesel Engine Emissions: Be Careful (IMO Tier 2)
For used motor yachts, one of the biggest risks is buying a boat fitted with older diesel engines that may not meet pollution/emissions standards (IMO Tier 2).
In many cases, you may not be asked for a formal engine emissions certificate unless the Marine Department specifically demands it. However, you should still be prepared to prove compliance.
Practical solution (what usually works) Use the engine model number and serial number to download the official engine specification sheet from the manufacturer. Many spec sheets clearly mention IMO Tier 2 compliance. Also, take clear photos of the engine plate showing the model and serial numbers.
Note: This issue is mainly for diesel engines. For outboard petrol engines, this is generally not required (but always confirm if your case is unusual).
3) Shipping Documents Must Match the Registered Owner (ERO / Delivery Order)
When importing a boat into Hong Kong, the paperwork must be correct from the shipping side.
Delivery Orders are now often ERO (Electronic Release Orders). The consignee name on the shipping documents should ideally be the same name as the future registered owner.
If the consignee is different, then you must be able to show a clean ownership trail with a Bill of Sale and invoices issued to the person/company who will become the registered owner.
If documents are not correctly issued, you may face unnecessary delays and extra questions.
4) Hull ID (HIN) Consistency Matters More Than the Boat Name
Many countries treat a yacht’s identity as the boat name. Hong Kong often does not.
Hong Kong Marine Department typically wants documents to consistently identify the boat using a recognition number, most commonly the Hull Identification Number (HIN / Hull ID).
What to do Make sure the following all show the same consistent boat identity (preferably the HIN): Builder’s Certificate, shipping documents, invoices / Bill of Sale, previous registration documents (if used boat).
Sometimes documents show an old registration number instead. That can be acceptable if consistent, but the safest path is having the HIN consistently used everywhere.
5) Length (LOA) Must Be Consistent Across Documents
Another common issue is mismatched length. Some documents show LOA (Length Overall), others show Hull Length or other measurements, and brochures and sales catalogs may show different numbers than official builder documents.
If two important documents show different length figures, you may have a long process trying to prove the real length.
Best practice Confirm that the length shown on the old registration (used boat) matches the builder’s certificate, and keep the measurement type consistent (LOA vs hull length).
6) You Can Only Register After the Boat Arrives in Hong Kong Waters
In Hong Kong, registration can only be done after the boat has physically arrived and touched Hong Kong waters.
Once the boat arrives, take clear photos. These are commonly requested: starboard (right side) profile, port (left side) profile, bow (front), stern (back), engine photos, and close-up photos of engine plates showing serial numbers.
7) Application Form (Marine Department)
A commonly used form is MD515 – Application for Certification of Ownership. Complete it carefully and make sure all names, numbers, and boat details match your supporting documents.
8) Documents Usually Required (New Boat)
For a new boat, you typically need:
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- Invoice from the factory/shipyard. Must be issued to the person or company who will be the registered owner.
- Builder’s Certificate. Should show the Hull ID (HIN) and key boat details.
- Engine documentation (diesel especially). Downloaded engine specification sheet showing compliance (e.g., IMO Tier 2). If the builder’s certificate does not show full engine model details, provide engine plate photos clearly showing model and serial number.
- RCD / CE documentation (if European boat). RCD (Recreational Craft Directive) is an EU standard for safety and environmental compliance, and the CE mark indicates the boat meets those standards.
- Shipping papers / ERO. Ensure consignee and owner details are correct, and boat identification (HIN) is properly referenced.
- Insurance certificate. Third-party insurance is mandatory (commonly HKD 5 million minimum). Comprehensive insurance is strongly recommended, especially for new boats.
9) Documents Usually Required (Used Boat)
For a used boat, in addition to the items above, you typically also need:
Bill of Sale (and purchase agreement if requested), Cancellation Certificate from the previous port/flag of registry, and previous registration documents (if available).
Important: Used boats often fail to provide these documents properly. Confirm availability before you commit to the purchase.
10) Registered Owner Requirements (Hong Kong)
In general, the registered owner must be either:
A) A person with a Hong Kong ID card (HKID) Provide HKID copy with original signature and proof of address (e.g., utility bill, under 3 months old; ideally not a downloaded PDF).
B) A Hong Kong limited company Provide Certificate of Incorporation (CI) copy and Business Registration (BR) copy, plus company chop and authorized signature.
Note: A sole proprietorship is generally not accepted for this purpose — a limited company is typically required if not using an HKID holder.
11) Passenger Capacity: Survey Is Mandatory (Otherwise Capacity Will Be Very Low)
This is a key point many owners do not realize. If you do not provide the proper survey, Marine Department will usually assign a very low passenger capacity by default, even if the builder’s certificate states a higher number.
Examples of what can happen: builder shows 8 persons and Marine Dept may issue 4 persons. Builder shows 14 persons and Marine Dept may issue 10 persons.
What you must do To obtain a proper capacity closer to the builder’s certificate, you generally need a survey report and a stability/inclining test carried out by a qualified marine surveyor (weights placed in different positions to demonstrate stability and safety). If passenger capacity matters to you, plan and budget for this early — it is effectively mandatory if you want realistic capacity on your certificate.
12) Be Prepared for Extra Requests
Marine Department has the right to ask for additional supporting documents if something looks unclear or inconsistent. The most common triggers are ownership chain not clean (consignee vs owner mismatch), missing cancellation certificate (used boat), inconsistent Hull ID / boat details, length mismatch, and engine compliance concerns.
13) Do It Yourself or Hire a Professional?
Yes, you can do the process yourself. But if this is your first time, expect time-consuming back-and-forth, especially if any document is missing or inconsistent.
A professional broker who has handled this many times can pre-check documents before you pay the seller, coordinate shipping paperwork and ERO correctly, advise on engine compliance proof, arrange the mandatory passenger capacity survey, and reduce delays and avoid mistakes.
If your time is valuable, hiring a professional often saves money overall.
Hope you found this article informative and useful.
Baggy from Asia Boating Ltd