There are two main HIN formats in worldwide use today: the 12-character US Coast Guard format and the 14-character European CE format defined by ISO 10087. Most countries outside Europe also use one or the other (often the US format), but some have their own conventions. Here's the full rundown.
Quick comparison
| Region | Length | Standard | Mandatory since |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 12 chars | USCG / 33 CFR § 181 | 1 Nov 1972 (revised 1984) |
| European Union / EEA | 14 chars | ISO 10087 / Directive 2013/53/EU | 16 Jun 1998 |
| United Kingdom | 14 chars | ISO 10087 (UKCA replacing CE) | 16 Jun 1998 |
| Canada | 12 chars (USCG-style) | Transport Canada | 1981 |
| Australia | 14 chars (national format) | National Standard for Commercial Vessels | 2013 |
| Switzerland (non-EU) | 14 chars CE format | ISO 10087 (voluntary) | Used by manufacturers exporting to EU |
The US format (USCG)
Twelve characters: MMMSSSSSMYYY
- 3-char MIC (Manufacturer Identifier Code)
- 5-char hull serial number
- 1-letter production month (A=Jan to L=Dec, skipping I)
- 1-digit production year (last digit)
- 2-digit model year
Example: SEA12345K405 = Sea Ray hull 12345, built November 2014, model year 2005 (oops — the example pretends the year doesn't make sense, see year decoder guide for how to disambiguate).
The USCG maintains the master MIC registry with about 16,000 entries — both active manufacturers and those out of business. The full registry is downloadable from uscg.mil and we host the latest snapshot in our decoder.
The European CE format (ISO 10087)
Fourteen characters: CCMMMSSSSSMYYY
- 2-letter ISO 3166-1 country code
- 3-char MIC (assigned by each national authority)
- 5-char hull serial number
- 1-letter production month (same A-L scheme as US)
- 1-digit production year
- 2-digit model year
Common European country codes you'll see on transoms
| Code | Country | Major brands |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Germany | Bavaria, Hanse, Dehler, Moody, Fjord, Sirius |
| FR | France | Bénéteau, Jeanneau, Dufour, Fountaine Pajot, Lagoon, Amel |
| IT | Italy | Azimut, Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Riva, Pershing, Wally |
| GB | United Kingdom | Princess, Sunseeker, Fairline, Discovery, Oyster, Westerly |
| NL | Netherlands | Feadship, Heesen, Amels, Linssen, Damen |
| SE | Sweden | Hallberg-Rassy, Najad, Nimbus, Linjett |
| FI | Finland | Nautor's Swan, Baltic Yachts, Sargo, Buster |
| PL | Poland | Galeon, Delphia, Sunreef, Sasanka |
| SI | Slovenia | Elan, Seascape, Adria |
| HR | Croatia | Salona, Greenline, Domino |
| ES | Spain | Astondoa, Sasga, Rodman |
| PT | Portugal | Compass Yachts |
| NO | Norway | Hydrolift, Goldfish, Saga |
| AT | Austria | Frauscher, Sunbeam |
| CH | Switzerland | Pedrazzini, Boesch (use CE format for EU export) |
Brexit and UK HINs
Before Brexit, UK-built boats carried CE-format HINs with the GB country code. After 31 December 2020, the UK introduced the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking as the domestic equivalent of CE. The HIN format itself didn't change — still 14 characters, still starting with GB — but the conformity assessment is now done by UK-approved bodies rather than EU-recognised ones.
For practical purposes: a GB HIN issued before 2021 is fully valid everywhere; a GB HIN issued after needs UKCA assessment for the UK market, plus a Post-Construction Assessment if the boat is to be sold in the EU.
Canadian HINs: US-format with a twist
Transport Canada adopted the 12-character USCG format with one variation: Canadian-built boats get a MIC assigned by Transport Canada (separate from the US registry). The MIC is still 3 characters, but the database is maintained in Ottawa, not Washington. Decoding works the same way.
Australian HINs
Australia's National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part C7C, effective 2013, requires a 14-character HIN structured similarly to the EU format but with an "AU" country code that's specific to Australia and not aligned with ISO 3166-1 (which uses "AU" for the same country, but the resemblance is coincidental). Some older Australian boats still carry USCG-style 12-character HINs from manufacturers that imported the convention.
Decode any of these
Our free decoder handles both 12-char and 14-char formats automatically and identifies the country from the prefix. Browse the manufacturer directory to see HIN prefixes by brand.
Frequently asked questions
Why are EU HINs longer than US ones?
EU CE HINs include a 2-letter ISO country code at the front (DE, FR, IT…) because the EU spans multiple jurisdictions, while US HINs assume a single national context. The extra two characters bring the total to 14.
What happens to UK HINs after Brexit?
UK-built boats now use the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark. The HIN format remains the 14-character CE structure with country code GB. Boats sold into the EU need a recognised conformity assessment body declaration; pre-Brexit GB HINs remain fully valid.
Is a boat with a US HIN legal to import to Europe?
Yes, but to be sold or registered in the EU it must undergo Post-Construction Assessment (PCA) by a Notified Body. Once certified, the boat is assigned a new CE HIN (typically beginning with the destination country code) in addition to its original US HIN.
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Related guides
- What is a HIN?Everything boat owners need to know — format, history, decoding, legal requirements
- Finding the HIN on your boatWhere the Hull Identification Number is hidden on every type of recreational vessel
- Used boat HIN red flagsHow professional surveyors use the HIN to spot stolen, salvaged or fraud-titled boats
- Decode boat year from HINProduction year vs model year, the 1-digit ambiguity, and how to tell a 1984 from a 2014