Apply for a tonnage certificate

You can apply for a tonnage certificate from the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH):

• On the BSH website, you have the option of filling out the application as a PDF file on the computer and printing it out or downloading and printing it first to fill it out by hand.
• Send the completed application form together with the required documents and evidence by post or
• scan the documents and send them to the BSH by email.
• E-mail address: spotbootvermessung@bsh.de

Explanations of the application and information about the tonnage certificate can also be found on the BSH website.

• You own a pleasure craft with a hull length of less than 15 meters and would like to voluntarily register in a shipping register.
• You own a recreational craft with a hull length of more than 15 meters and must therefore comply with the obligation to register in a shipping register.
  

• Drawing or sketch of the pleasure craft; e.g. shipyard master plan (copy)
• Brochure of the pleasure craft (copy), also in extracts
• One photo each of the side and stern view of the recreational craft
• If applicable, a copy of the declaration of conformity
• If applicable, a copy of the manufacturer's certificate

The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) charges fees for surveying ships.

• The fee for the survey of recreational craft according to the simplified procedure is divided into two items:
• The measurement according to the simplified procedure for recreational craft (length measurement only: EUR 117.00
• The issue of a tonnage certificate for the measurement according to the simplified procedure for recreational craft: EUR 133.00.
• The fee for the measurement according to the rules of the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships refers to the result of this measurement and can therefore only be roughly stated in advance (basic fee EUR 1,000.00 + EUR 0.7 per GT + issue of a tonnage certificate EUR 175.00).
• Applicants who are resident abroad must pay the fee in advance. In these cases, the application can only be processed by the BSH after receipt of the fee for the recreational craft survey.
  

You do not have to meet any deadlines.

Provided that the documents are complete and no further inquiries are necessary on the part of the BSH, it usually takes 1 week to process your application.

• § Section 6 (1) of the Ship Safety Act (SchSG)
• in conjunction with § 11 number 5, § 13 paragraph 1 of the Ship Register Regulations (SchRegO)

• Appeal against rejection notice
• Administrative court action

- Forms: yes

- Online procedure possible: no

- Written form required: yes

- Personal appearance required: no

As an applicant resident or domiciled outside Germany, you must have permanently appointed one or more responsible persons resident or domiciled in the Federal Republic of Germany to ensure that the legal provisions applicable to seagoing vessels in the Federal Republic of Germany are complied with in technical, social and administrative matters. On request, the BSH will provide more detailed information on the further evidence to be provided in these cases in accordance with the Flag Law Ordinance.

19.07.2021