QLD Boat Stamp Duty – 2025 Costs & Rules Explained
Buying a boat in Queensland and trying to work out how much stamp duty you’ll actually pay? This guide breaks down what boat stamp duty is, when it applies, how it’s calculated, and how to avoid nasty surprises on settlement day.
What is boat stamp duty in Queensland?
Stamp duty is a state government tax that applies when you transfer the registration of a boat (and often the trailer) into your name. It’s separate from the purchase price and separate from registration fees.
Key concepts to understand first
- Dutiable value: usually the higher of the price you paid or the market value of the vessel.
- Stamp duty rate: duty is typically calculated as a percentage of the dutiable value, sometimes with different brackets for different price levels or types of craft.
- When it’s paid: usually when you lodge the transfer of registration paperwork with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
- Who pays: the buyer – this is your cost, not the seller’s.
Exact rates and thresholds do change over time. Always double-check current figures on official Queensland government resources or ask us to run the numbers for you before you commit.
When does QLD boat stamp duty apply – and when might it not?
Not every scenario is treated the same way. Understanding when duty is likely to apply helps you avoid underestimating your real “out the door” cost.
Common situations where duty usually applies
- Buying a used boat from a private seller and transferring registration into your name.
- Buying a used boat from a dealer where registration is being transferred into your name.
- Changing owners between family members where the vessel changes hands for value.
- Bringing an interstate-registered boat into QLD and registering it here.
Scenarios where duty may be reduced or treated differently
- Transfers that qualify for specific exemptions or concessions under QLD law.
- Certain low-value vessels where thresholds may apply.
- Business-use vessels in specific structures (speak with your accountant or solicitor).
Duty rules are legal and tax matters – if you think you might qualify for a concession, it’s worth getting professional advice.
How stamp duty can affect your real boat budget
To keep things simple, think in terms of “total landing cost” – the price you agree to pay plus government charges and essential on-road costs.
| Scenario | Vessel details | Budget picture |
|---|---|---|
| First-time buyer on a tighter budget | Used 5m runabout with trailer, modest outboard. Advertised price: “around $20,000”. | If your true “all in” budget is $20,000 and you forget about duty and transfer fees, you may end up short. You might instead target boats listed around the mid-to-high teens once you factor duty, safety checks and rego. |
| Stepping up into a more serious rig | 6.5–7.0m offshore-capable boat on a tandem trailer. Asking price: “about $70,000”. | At this level, small percentage differences become real money. A few extra thousand in stamp duty, trailer upgrades or mechanical work can push a boat from “comfortable” to “financially tight” if you haven’t allowed for it. |
| Comparing two similar boats | Boat A and Boat B are priced within a few thousand of each other, but one needs more work and could attract a different total cost once everything is added up. | When Anchorpoint Boat Buyers compares options, we look at the effective landing cost – including duty, transfers, likely short-term repairs and essential items – so you’re comparing apples with apples. |
How Anchorpoint Boat Buyers helps you plan for duty and other hidden costs
Our job isn’t just to find you a good boat – it’s to make sure the total package makes sense for your life, your cashflow and your risk comfort.
Clarify your real “all in” budget
We talk through what you want to spend in total – not just on the boat, but including stamp duty, transfer fees, safety certificates, insurance and any immediate mechanical work.
Shortlist boats that fit that number
Using your budget and needs, we filter out boats that might look tempting online but will likely blow your total cost once duty and other essentials are included.
Estimate total landing cost for each option
For serious contenders, we map out a realistic estimate of what the boat will cost you “on the water” – including duty, registration, inspections and any obvious early repairs.
Buyers who really benefit from planning stamp duty properly
Everyone should understand duty, but some buyers feel the impact more than others.
Three common “gotcha” scenarios we see with duty and boat costs
These are the kind of situations that end up in our inbox after someone has already committed – our goal is to catch them before you sign anything.
1. “We budgeted for the boat, not the extras.”
First-time buyers around Brisbane.A couple finds a 5.5m family boat they love at a fair price. Once they add duty, transfers, a safety certificate, basic servicing and lifejackets for everyone, the total cost is several thousand more than expected. A slightly cheaper boat might have been a better match from day one.
2. “We didn’t allow room for early repairs.”
Stepping up into a bigger second-hand rig.A buyer pushes their budget right to the limit on the purchase price, then gets hit by duty and urgent mechanical work. Planning for duty and a realistic “first-year maintenance buffer” up front would have changed which boats made the shortlist.
3. “We only found out the true cost at TMR.”
Interstate boat registered in QLD.A boat arrives from interstate and the buyer discovers the registration, inspection and duty costs are higher than expected when they try to register it locally. A quick pre-purchase check would have clarified the real total cost before money changed hands.
How Anchorpoint Boat Buyers changes this
Before you commit.We help you build a clear view of the full cost picture – boat, duty, registration, inspections and likely short-term work – and then work backwards to find boats that make sense inside that envelope.
Want help planning your boat budget – including stamp duty?
Before you transfer tens of thousands of dollars to a seller, it can pay to spend a few minutes reality-checking your numbers with someone who does this every week in Queensland.
Anchorpoint Boat Buyers helps QLD boat buyers set a realistic “all in” budget, shortlist smart options, arrange inspections and negotiate the deal – so you don’t get blindsided by costs like duty, transfer fees and early repairs.
No obligation, no pressure – just a practical conversation about what you can comfortably afford and what kind of boat fits that picture.