How to Get a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin for a Vessel

The MCO is typically issued by the manufacturer of the vessel and must include the following information:

• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Name and address of the purchaser
• Make, model, and serial number of the vessel
• Country of origin of the vessel
• Date of manufacture

The MCO must be signed by an authorized representative of the manufacturer and must be notarized.

Why is a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin for a Vessel important?

The MCO is important for a number of reasons, including:

• Customs clearance: Many countries require an MCO for the importation of vessels. Customs officials use the MCO to determine the applicable tariffs and duties.
• Proof of ownership: The MCO can be used to prove ownership of the vessel. This is important for insurance purposes and for transferring ownership of the vessel to another person.
• Vessel registration: In some countries, the MCO is required for vessel registration.
• Vessel financing: If you are financing the purchase of a vessel, the lender may require an MCO as collateral.

Overall, the MCO is an important document for all vessel owners. It is required for a variety of purposes and can help to protect your interests.

How can a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin for a Vessel be used?

• A boat owner can use the MCO to import their boat into another country without paying excessive tariffs or duties.
• A boat owner can use the MCO to prove ownership of their boat to an insurance company or to a potential buyer.
• A boat owner can use the MCO to register their boat in some countries.
• A boat owner can use the MCO as collateral when financing the purchase of their boat.

Laws

181.5 Purpose and applicability.

This subpart prescribes requirements for the certification of boats and associated equipment to which 46 U.S.C. Chapter 43 applies and to which a safety standard prescribed in Part 183 of this chapter applies.

[CGD 85-002, 51 FR 37573, Oct. 23, 1986]

181.7 Compliance certification label required.

Unless there is affixed to it a certification label that contains the information required by § 181.15:

1. No person who manufactures, constructs, or assembles a boat or associated equipment may deliver that boat or equipment for the purpose of sale;
2. No person may import into the United States any boat or associated equipment; and
3. No person engaged in the business of selling or distributing boats or associated equipment may sell or offer for sale any boat or associated equipment.

181.9 Affixing labels.

1. Each manufacturer of a boat or item of associated equipment to which a standard or regulation prescribed in Part 183 of this chapter applies shall affix a certification label that contains the information required by § 181.15 to that boat or equipment before it:
   1. 1. 1. Leaves the place of manufacture for the purpose of sale; or
         2. Is imported.
2. The manufacturer of a boat or item of associated equipment that is sold to a private label merchandiser may, at the option of the private label merchandiser, affix a certification label identifying the private label merchandiser as the manufacturer before the boat or item of associated equipment leaves the place of manufacture.

181.11 Exceptions to labeling requirement.

1. This part does not apply to boats or associated equipment intended solely for export, and so labeled, tagged, or marked on the boat or equipment and on the outside of the container, if any, which is exported.
2. If an item of associated equipment is so small that a certification label that meets the requirements in § 181.15 cannot be affixed to it, a certification label that contains the information required by § 181.15 may be printed on the smallest container in which the item is packed or on a slip packed with the item.
3. This subpart does not apply to any outboard motor or starting control to which § 183.710 of this chapter applies.

[CGD 72-60, 37 FR 15779, Aug. 4, 1972, as amended by CGD 79-137, 46 FR 3515, Jan. 15, 1981; 46 FR 9579, Jan. 29, 1981]

181.13 Removal of labels.

No person may remove a label required by this part or remove or alter any information on a label required by this part, unless authorized by the Commandant.

181.15 Contents of labels.

1. Each label required by § 181.7 must contain:
   1. 1. 1. The name and address of the manufacturer or private label merchandiser who certifies that the boat or item of associated equipment complies with the standards prescribed in Part 183 of this subchapter; and
         2. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the words:
            1. 1. “This (insert ‘Boat’ or ‘Equipment’) Complies With U.S. Coast Guard Safety Standards In Effect On (insert date of certification as prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section)”; or
               2. If the item being certified is a boat, the label may show the words, “This Boat Complies With U.S. Coast Guard Safety Standards In Effect On The Date of Certification.”
2. Date of certification must be no earlier than the date on which construction or assembly began and no later than the date on which the boat or item of associated equipment leaves the place of manufacture or assembly or import for the purposes of sale.
3. [Reserved]
4. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, the manufacturer may, in addition to the information required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, display on the certification label any or all of the following information:
   1. 1. 1. Model name or designation.
         2. Hull identification number (if a boat) or serial number (if an item of associated equipment).
         3. Model year.
5. Display of the hull identification number on the certification label does not satisfy the display requirements of § 181.29.
6. Each boat which displays a maximum horsepower capacity determined in accordance with § 183.53(b) must, in addition to the information required by paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) of this section, display on the certification label, the following statement in letters no less than one-quarter of an inch in height:

THIS BOAT IS INTENDED FOR RACING AND OTHER HIGH PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES. THE SKILL REQUIRED MAY EXCEED THE ABILITIES OF SOME OPERATORS.

[CGD 72-60, 37 FR 15779, Aug. 4, 1972, as amended by CGD 83-012, 49 FR 39327, Oct. 5, 1984; CGD 85-002, 51 FR 37573, Oct. 23, 1986; USCG-1999-5832, 64 FR 34716, June 29, 1999]

181.17 Label numbers and letters.

Letters and numbers on each label must:

1. Be no less than one-eighth of an inch in height; and
2. Contrast with the basic color of the label, except that the date of certification may be permanently stamped, engraved, or embossed on the label.

181.19 Construction of labels.

1. Each label must be made of material that can withstand exposure to water, oil, salt spray, direct sunlight, heat, cold, and wear expected in normal use of the boat or item of associated equipment without deterioration of legibility.
2. Each label must be made of material that shows visible traces of the alteration or removal of information on the label.