How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, boat registration is handled by the SC Department of Natural Resources and renews annually. The fee is a flat $10 per year. Non-motorized craft like kayaks and canoes are generally exempt (check local rules for sailboats). Boats with motors — including trolling motors on otherwise unpowered craft — almost always require registration.
Cost by boat size
| Boat | Per year | One-time (title etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| 14-ft motorboat | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| 20-ft motorboat | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| 28-ft motorboat | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Annual county property tax on the boat must be paid before SCDNR renews — it usually exceeds the $10 registration.
- A new powered boat's initial title + registration runs $20 combined; casual excise tax is 5% capped at $500.
Estimate your exact South Carolina cost
Your boat
Estimated annual cost
$10.00/ year
- Registration fee$10.00
One-time fees (first registration)
- Title fee$10.00
One-time total: $10.00
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16. This state's full local formula is not yet implemented; see the notes below the calculator.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://dmv.sc.gov/fees — last reviewed 2026-07-16.