Bill of Sale, a bilateral or unilateral deed of sale or a plain paper declaration of sale?

When selling a used boat, there are several types of sales contracts to choose from: a formal Bill of Sale, a bilateral or unilateral deed of sale, or a simple sale declaration. These documents differ in complexity and formality. On this page, we examine the differences between the various options and guide you in choosing the solution that best suits your selling needs.
A Bill of Sale is an official document that acts as a detailed receipt of the sale and transfer of ownership of the boat. It is the preferred method in many transactions, especially when financial institutions or international maritime registries are involved, due to its ability to provide a clear and legally recognised account of the sale. The main features of the Bill of Sale include:
The deed of sale is also an official document that demonstrates the sale and transfer of ownership of the boat. This deed can be unilateral, signed only by the seller, or bilateral, signed by both the seller and the buyer. For the deed of sale to be valid, the signature must be authenticated and the deed must be registered with the relevant registry. The main features of the deed of sale include:
A simple sale declaration may be suitable for less formal transactions, particularly when the sale occurs between private individuals and no modifications or registrations with the maritime registry are necessary, as is the case with pleasure craft in Italy. Elements of a simple sale declaration include:
The choice depends on various factors:
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The next step
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