HIN/WIN: Hull Identification Number Requirements Under RCD 2013/53/EU

What Is HIN/WIN?

Every recreational craft from 2.5 m to 24 m placed on the EU market must have a unique Watercraft Identification Number (WIN). The industry still commonly uses HIN (Hull Identification Number) or CIN (Craft Identification Number). RCD II (Directive 2013/53/EU, in force since 18 January 2016) requires this. It is NOT the same as a Chinese ship identification number, IMO number, or vessel registration number.

Number Composition

Per RCD II Annex I Part A 2.1, the ID must contain at minimum:

• Country of manufacture code (2-letter ISO, e.g. CN)
• Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) — assigned by EU member state authority, cannot be self-invented
• Unique serial number (5 digits, manufacturer-managed, must be unique per MIC)
• Month of manufacture (A–L = Jan–Dec)
• Year of manufacture (last 2 digits)
• Model year (1 digit)

Common 14-character format: CC + MIC + SSSSS + M + YY + Y

Example: CNABC12345D526 = China, MIC ABC, serial 12345, April 2026, model year 2026

Marking and Installation Requirements

Visible primary mark

Starboard side of transom, upper area. Must be readable without disassembly. Avoid obstruction by outboard motor, ladders, or fenders.

Hidden secondary mark

Internal/hidden location for anti-theft and traceability. Position recorded in production records but not publicly disclosed.

Permanency requirements by hull material

• FRP/GRP: Mold-formed raised/sunken characters, laminated-in plate, or resin-sealed durable mark
• Aluminum: Stamping, mechanical engraving, laser etching, or reliably fixed metal ID plate
• Steel: Stamping, engraving, or welded steel number plate
• Wood: Deep engraving, embedded durable plate, or epoxy-sealed
• PE/thermoplastic: In-mold forming, laser etching, or verified permanent embedded mark
• Inflatable boats: Durable nameplate or structural fixed marking per manufacturer specification — plain adhesive stickers are NOT acceptable

Methods that should NOT be used as the sole HIN/WIN:

• Ordinary adhesive labels, easy-peel stickers
• Simply removable screw-on plates
• Easily fading ink or paint
• Only printed in manual/invoice/DoC without physical hull marking

HIN/WIN vs CE Builder Plate

These are TWO SEPARATE requirements. RCD requires them to be installed separately. CE marking goes on the builder plate, NOT on the HIN/WIN.

Typical arrangement:

• Starboard transom exterior: Permanent HIN/WIN
• Internal hidden location: Second permanent HIN/WIN
• Cockpit/interior visible location: Independently fixed CE builder plate

Manufacturing and Certification Notes

• MIC first: Must obtain valid MIC before marking — cannot invent a 3-character code for export batches
• One boat one code: Same HIN/WIN must never be used for two boats
• Data consistency: Hull mark, hidden mark, builder plate, EU DoC, owner manual, technical file, and sales materials must all match
• Do not re-mark casually: If HIN/WIN is incorrectly marked, create a controlled nonconformance and correction record
• PCA vessels: Post-Construction Assessment boats need special handling — builder plate must include "post-construction assessment" text
• Record retention: Keep technical files and DoC at least 10 years; HIN allocation, marking photos, positions, serial number register and hidden mark positions should be in the traceability archive

What This Means for B2B Buyers

Verify that:

• Each boat has a unique, permanently marked HIN/WIN
• The HIN/WIN on the hull matches the DoC and production records
• The manufacturer has a valid MIC from an EU authority
• Hidden secondary marks exist and are documented