Importing a Boat into California:
Generally, every sail-powered vessel over eight feet in length and every motor-driven vessel (regardless of length) that is not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard which is used or on the waters of this state are subject to
registration by the Department of
Motor Vehicles (DMV). The vessel must be located in
California.
Vessels previously registered in other states must be registered in
California within 120 days of being brought into the state, if it will be used upon California waterways the majority of the time.
The documents required to register and title a new vessel or a vessel being registered for the first time are:
* Application for Vessel Certificate of Number (BOAT 101).
Goto: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/boat/boat101.pdf
* Proof of
ownership, such as a bill of
sale, certificate of origin, bill of lading, invoice, or out-of-state title.
OR
* A bond for the vessel value if proof of ownership cannot be provided and the vessel's value is $2,000 or more.