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GLOSSARY · EUROPEAN PAPERWORK

What is the ICP? International Certificate for Pleasure Craft

UPDATED 12 NOVEMBER 2026 · 1 SOURCE

The ICP proves a Dutch boat's ownership in a list of European countries. Who issues it, where it's recognised, and how it differs from the zeebrief.

DEFINITION
ICP

A document from KNMC or the Watersportverbond that Dutch boat owners use to prove ownership on inland and coastal waters in a list of European countries. It isn't proof of nationality.

ALSO CALLED: INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE FOR PLEASURE CRAFT, ICP CERTIFICATE

The ICP, International Certificate for Pleasure Craft, comes from KNMC or the Watersportverbond. The Dutch government lists it as proof of ownership on inland and coastal waters in countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Croatia and the UK, and notes that it isn't proof of nationality.

What a surveyor checks

The owner and boat named on the ICP against the seller and the boat. For nationality and the Dutch flag, the boat needs a zeebrief.

In the report

"ICP seen in the vendor's name, boat details matching. It proves ownership abroad only; it isn't a certificate of registry."

Frequently asked

Is the ICP proof of nationality?

No. The Dutch government says the ICP isn't proof of nationality and doesn't give the right to fly the Dutch flag. The zeebrief does that.

Related terms

Glossary
EUROPEAN PAPERWORK

Zeebrief

The Dutch certificate of registry for seagoing vessels, issued by ILT as proof of nationality and the right to fly the Dutch flag, which becomes invalid when the boat is sold.

EUROPEAN PAPERWORK

Kadaster

The Dutch land and ship registry, where registering a boat establishes its ownership and lets a mortgage be recorded against it.

EUROPEAN PAPERWORK

Brodica

The Croatian term for a boat over 2.5 m up to 15 m, registered and inspected by the harbourmaster; craft over 15 m are yachts surveyed by the Croatian Register of Shipping.

EUROPEAN PAPERWORK

Certificado de navegabilidad

The Spanish certificate that a recreational boat meets the rules, recording each compulsory inspection and the date of the next one; it must be kept on board.

EUROPEAN PAPERWORK

Certificat d'enregistrement

The single French registration document for pleasure craft that replaced the carte de circulation and the acte de francisation.

EUROPEAN PAPERWORK

DAFN

France's annual tax on pleasure craft, now called the taxe annuelle sur les engins maritimes à usage personnel, based on hull length and engine power.

Related guides

BUYING A BOAT IN EUROPE · 2 MIN

Buying a used boat in the Netherlands: Kadaster, the zeebrief, the ICP and VAT proof

What to check when buying a used boat in the Netherlands: what Kadaster registration proves, why the zeebrief lapses on sale, the ICP and ICC, the VAT proof to carry abroad, and the survey.

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