U.S. Coast Guard Hull Identification Number (HIN) Validation & Verification Guidelines
What is a HIN?
A unique 12 character number assigned to each recreational boat manufactured on or after November 1, 1972 (per CFR Title 33 §181). Some boats built prior to this date do have âHINsâ but they were not required. A HIN provides several benefits to the consumer and the public at large:
- Provides a means of performing vessel recalls
- Used by states for registration and titling purposes, including interstate transfers
- Used by law enforcement to identify and recover stolen vessels
- Used by the Dept. of Homeland Security for a host of national security purposes
There have been three different HIN formats:
How is a HIN currently structured?
A HIN consists of three components â
See the list of USCG MIC codes here.
Which Boats are required to have a HIN?
Any boat manufactured on or after November 1, 1972 that is intended for recreational use in the United States.
What is required of a boat manufacturer / importer?
Per CFR Title 33 § 181.29, a manufacturer must assign each boat produced or imported into the U.S. with two identical HINS. The first must be affixed to the exterior of the boat per the Certification and Placement of Hull Identification Number Guidance Form. The second must be affixed in an unexposed location on the interior of the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware. The same HIN may not be assigned to more than one boat.
Each HIN must be carved, burned, stamped, embossed, molded, bonded or otherwise permanently affixed to the boat so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious. If the number is on a separate plate, the plate must be fastened in such a manner that its removal would normally cause some scarring of or damage to the surrounding hull area. A hull identification number must not be attached to parts of the boat that are removable.
