Boat Registration BVI
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A White-glove BVI Boat Registration Service from Vetted, BVI Ship Registration Experts.
Welcome to the trusted source for Boat Registration BVI services. Whether you’re registering a private yacht, commercial vessel, or superyacht, our streamlined process helps owners secure official registration through the British Virgin Islands. With experienced local agents, transparent compliance guidance, and a reputation for reliability, our Boat Registration BVI platform ensures your vessel meets all legal and operational requirements—quickly and securely.
Boat Registration BVI offers a fast, compliant, and secure path to register a yacht in the BVI. Whether you’re a private owner, commercial operator, or purchasing a new build, we streamline the entire British Virgin Islands yacht registration process with expert local support.
Key Benefits of Boat Registration in the BVI
Advantages of Registering a Vessel in the British Virgin Islands
Red Ensign Group
The British Virgin Islands is part of the prestigious Red Ensign Group, which means vessels registered in the BVI can fly the internationally respected Red Ensign flag. This status reflects high safety standards, robust maritime regulation, and global recognition under UK maritime law. Registering your yacht in the BVI places you in league with one of the most credible shipping registries in the world.
0% Sales Tax in the BVI
There is no sales tax or VAT on vessel purchases or transfers in the BVI. This is one of the most attractive benefits of BVI yacht registration for both private owners and commercial operators. Registering your boat in the BVI offers a cost-effective way to reduce taxes while remaining compliant with international maritime laws.
Low Registration & Renewal Fees
Boat Registration in the BVI comes with highly competitive registration and renewal fees when compared to other international registries. Whether you’re registering a private yacht, catamaran, or commercial vessel, the BVI ship registry offers transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Annual fees are reasonable and backed by fast processing and expert agent support.
Globally Recognized Ship Registry Certificate
When you register a yacht in the BVI, you receive a globally recognized Certificate of Registry that is accepted by ports, financial institutions, and maritime insurers worldwide. This simplifies international cruising, charter operations, and ownership transfers. Your BVI registration ensures credibility wherever you sail.
BVI stable government and British Judicial System
The BVI operates under a stable, British Overseas Territory government with a trusted legal framework. The judicial system is based on English common law, providing yacht owners with reliable protection and dispute resolution options. Choosing BVI for boat registration means choosing long-term regulatory and political stability.
Required Documents to Register a Yacht in the BVI
To register a yacht in the BVI, certain documents are required depending on ownership type, previous registration, and intended use. The following list outlines standard paperwork for BVI yacht registration.
You will need the following:
BVI Shipping Registry Application
This is the official form required to initiate your BVI boat registration. It includes vessel details such as name, dimensions, engine type, and intended use. A local licensed agent or representative must typically submit this form to the BVI Shipping Registry on your behalf.
Declaration of Eligibility
This document confirms the applicant’s legal status to register a vessel under the BVI flag. Whether you are registering as an individual or through a company, eligibility must be proven according to BVI maritime law, including citizenship, residency, or corporate structure.
Original Bill of Sale Document
The Bill of Sale verifies the legal transfer of ownership for your yacht or catamaran. It must clearly show the seller’s and buyer’s details, vessel specifications, and the date of purchase. The BVI Registry requires the original, signed version for official filing.
Certificate of Survey and Tonnage Measurement
This document is prepared by a qualified marine surveyor and outlines the vessel’s tonnage, structure, and seaworthiness. It’s required for all vessels registering in the BVI, especially those seeking Red Ensign status or commercial operation clearance.
Certificate of Incorporation (if company)
If your yacht is owned by a legal entity (such as a BVI IBC), you’ll need to submit the company’s Certificate of Incorporation. This verifies the legal existence and good standing of the company holding the vessel title.
Deletion certificate and an extract of register
If your vessel was previously registered in another country, a deletion certificate is required to confirm the yacht has been removed from the former flag state. An extract of register may be needed to show prior ownership history and registration data.
Closed Transcript and copy of original Certificate of Survey/Tonnage Certificate
This applies to vessels transferring from another registry with an existing survey. A “closed transcript” confirms the end of registration elsewhere, while the copy of the original tonnage certificate helps validate technical specs during the BVI transfer process.
Notarized translation certified as correct by a notary public
If any of your documents are in a language other than English, they must be professionally translated and certified by a notary public. This ensures that all BVI authorities can legally recognize the contents of your paperwork.
Possibly More, depending on country of origin
Additional documents may be required depending on the country from which your vessel is being transferred or the specifics of your ownership structure. Our team can help you identify any supplemental forms or verifications needed to complete registration smoothly.
Incorporate a BVI Company for maximum Tax Savings and Asset Protection.
Registering a Ship in the BVI
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) offers one of the most efficient and globally recognized yacht and ship registration systems in the maritime industry.
The BVI registry enables fast, secure, and internationally accepted registration of vessels. This includes initial registration, change of ownership, transfer of title, and the registration or discharge of mortgages—all managed under a modern legal framework that supports both private and commercial vessels.
Since 2007, the BVI Shipping Registry has held Category 1 status within the Red Ensign Group, allowing it to register megayachts and cargo ships up to 3000 gross tons. This places the BVI alongside premier flag jurisdictions such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, and the UK.
Owners can also use BVI yacht registration to support commercial charter operations worldwide—including in the Mediterranean. It’s important to note that the BVI operates its own independent registry, separate from the United Kingdom, while still benefiting from the prestige of the Red Ensign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boat Registration BVI Fees and Costs
Fees of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry vary depending on the Vessel’s size, class, and purpose. For transparency a complete list of services charge by the Registry is listed below.
To Calculate Your cost, fill out the Ship Registration Questionnaire.
| Service |
|---|
| Initial Registration and Issue of Certificate of Registry |
| Re-Registration and Issue of Certificate of Registry |
| Annual Fee Maintenance of the Register |
| Registration of Bills of Sale |
| Registration of Change of Ownership of vessel including issue of New Certificate of Registry |
| Registration of Mortgage |
| Recording of Mortgage Intent |
| Current Transcripts |
| Certified Copies of Closed Transcripts (Closed) |
| Manual Searches of the Register, per Ship |
| Issue of New Certificate of Registry |
| Re-Issue of Certificate of Registry on Loss of or Damage to Original |
| Registration of Change of Name of Ship including Issue of New Certificate of Registry for Ship |
| Copies of Certificates and Transcripts and Documents Folio/page |
| Name Reservation for a period of one hundred and eighty days |
| Fax per folio/page |
| Unspecified Assignments of the Registrar, including work outside of office, per hour for the first hour plus transportation and incidental costs |
| Unspecified Assignments of the Registrar, including work outside of office, per hour plus transportation and incidental costs, for every hour after the first hour |
| Issue of Terminable Certificate for conditional short-term Registration of vessels after issue of Carving and Marking Note and before issue of Permanent Certificate of Registry |
Why Register a Yacht in the BVI
| NO CORPORATE TAXES, making the BVI an interesting place to own a boat |
|---|
| There is no sales tax in the BVI when purchasing anything |
| Your ship will sail as a member of the Red Ensign Group. Your ship will be entitled to British Diplomatic and Consular support, including Royal Navy Protection. Also, the BVI provides access to the expertise of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. |
| BVI tax exempts based on BVI’s positive reputation of a leading offshore financial centre |
| Low Registration and Maintenance fees. |
| Yacht registration and Certificates are recognized worldwide. |
| BVI has a stable government and a working British Judicial System |
| BVI is the yachting center of the Caribbean |
Who can own a British Virgin Island Ship?
Citizens and Companies registered in the BVI
Other entities should seek registration advice from BVI law firms with one of the registrars, as there are usual ways how to achieve eligibility to register a boat in the BVI.
What boats can be registered in the BVI
| General cargo ships of unlimited tonnage; |
| Yachts of up to 3000 gross tons; and |
| Vessels previously covered under Category 2. |
| Recreational craft and yachts of up to 400 gross tons (about 45m in length); |
| Cargo and commercial craft of up to 150 gross tons (roughly 24m in length); and |
| Domestic passenger ships on domestic voyages. |
By tradition, ownership in a British Ship is divided into 64 shares.
Majority share of the boat (at least 33 of the 64 shares) must be owned by qualified persons (Citizens or BVI Companies).
Foreign citizens may own a minority interest (up to 31 of the 64 shares) in the boat.
What do you need to register a boat in the BVI?
| You will need: |
|---|
| Application to register |
| Declaration of Eligibility |
| Original Documents of sale (Bills of Sale, Builders Certificate) |
| Certificate of Survey and Tonnage Measurement issued by one of our Classification Societies. If the vessel is over 24 metres in Load Line Length an International Tonnage Certificate (ITC69) is required |
| Certificate of Incorporation (if a company is applying) |
| Deletion certificate and an extract of their register is required if the ship is coming off a foreign register |
| Closed Transcript and copy of original Certificate of Survey/Tonnage Certificate if the ship is coming off a Red Ensign Register |
| Notarized translation certified as correct by a notary public if providing any documents in language other than English |
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