Boat HIN Decoder & USCG Manufacturer (MIC) Lookup

Decode and validate boat Hull Identification Numbers (HINs) in bulk and match each one to its builder in the live US Coast Guard Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) database, which lists 16,000+ boat builders, importers and state-issued codes.

For every HIN you get:

• Builder: the MIC holder's current name, status (In Business / Out of Business / agency), DBA, past company names, parent company, city/state/ZIP/country, in-business and out-of-business dates, and boat types (pontoon, sailboat, PWC...).
• Dates: production month and year, plus model year. All three HIN formats are supported: current (Aug 1984 and later), model-year (1972–1984) and straight-year (1972–1984).
• Red flags: wrong length, I/O/Q in the serial number, impossible model year, a production year that doesn't fit the model year, an unknown MIC, a boat built after the builder closed, a MIC that was reassigned to a new company, and state-issued HINs for homemade boats.

You can also look up MICs directly or search builders by name or state, for example every active pontoon builder.

Why use it?

• Boat dealers, brokers & marketplaces: check HINs on listings and trade-ins, and spot typos or altered HINs before you list or buy.
• Insurers, lenders, title & registration services: confirm the builder and model year in bulk.
• Marine surveyors & parts sellers: identify builders of orphan or out-of-business brands through their past company names.
• Lead generation & market research: get lists of active boat manufacturers by type and state.

Input

Field	Description
hins	HINs to decode, 12 characters or with a country prefix such as US-ABC12345D404. Spaces and dashes are ignored.
mics	3-character MICs to look up
company_search	Manufacturer name contains
states	State or province codes
in_business_only	Only active manufacturers (applies to search results)
export_all	Export the entire MIC database
include_details	Fetch each builder's detail page (default on). Turn it off for a fast name/city/state list.
max_items	Max records (0 = no limit)

Examples

Decode HINs:

{ "hins": ["SERV1234B606", "US-BRT12345L798", "4WN54321M79J"] }

Active pontoon builders:

{ "company_search": ["pontoon"], "in_business_only": true, "max_items": 0 }

Fast list of every MIC in Florida (no details):

{ "states": ["FL"], "include_details": false, "max_items": 0 }

Output (HIN)

{
  "recordType": "hin",
  "hinNormalized": "US-BRT12345L798",
  "valid": true,
  "format": "current (Aug 1984 and later)",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "mic": "BRT",
  "serialNumber": "12345",
  "productionMonth": 12,
  "productionMonthName": "December",
  "productionYear": 1997,
  "modelYear": 1998,
  "warnings": [],
  "notes": ["Built 1997, before the current MIC holder's in-business date (2012-10-18). The MIC may have belonged to a past company: BRANDT MFG CO (OOB)."],
  "micFound": true,
  "manufacturer": {
    "mic": "BRT",
    "status": "In Business",
    "company": "BRYANTS MARINE SERVICE INC",
    "pastCompanies": ["BRANDT MFG CO (OOB)"],
    "city": "CADDO MILLS",
    "state": "TX",
    "boatTypes": ["Outboards, Open Motorboats, Jon Boats", "Pontoon Boats"],
    "inBusinessDate": "2012-10-18",
    "detailUrl": "https://uscgboating.org/content/manufacturers-identification-detail.php?id=..."
  }
}

Manufacturer search records (recordType: "manufacturer") have the same fields as manufacturer above.

Pricing

Pay per result: each decoded HIN or manufacturer record is one result. No start fee.

Notes & privacy

• Data is read live from the public USCG Boating Safety MIC search at uscgboating.org, so it is newer than the outdated downloadable MIC file. Detail pages are fetched politely, one at a time.
• No personal contact data is collected. Company officials' names, phone and fax numbers, street addresses and comments are left out. Company names are kept exactly as registered with the USCG, and some small builders are registered under the owner's name.
• HIN decoding follows 33 CFR Part 181 Subpart C. A valid-looking HIN is not proof of ownership or authenticity. For stolen-boat or title checks, use official channels.
• This Actor is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US Coast Guard.