Automotive

Selling privately to a US buyer - help with the check list for easy transaction?

  • Last Updated:
  • Oct 18th, 2021 4:31 pm
[OP]
Member
Oct 4, 2006
369 posts
140 upvotes

Selling privately to a US buyer - help with the check list for easy transaction?

I’m selling a rather unique niche market vehicle (2012 Volvo C30 KPAX GT edition) and the most interested potential buyer would be coming up from the states upon border opening in a few weeks.

Does anyone have a quick summary of what’s required for :

1) documents i sign/provide to buyer
2) buyer getting temp insurance to drive to US
3) documents needed at border
4) expected duties and taxes - how is GST getting paid, when and where
5) documents needed to register in state of California

I would very much appreciate some help form someone with experience in getting vehicles across the border to US buyers.

Thanks in advance!


James
8 replies
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jul 30, 2007
32388 posts
19792 upvotes
Toronto
the only comment I will make is ..... Do not take any US issued certified money orders/cheque/bank draft at all. If you want to make sure you are not being taken for a ride, have the buyer and yourself go to your home bank and ask the buyer to transfer the funds to your bank account or having the buyer buy a Cdn $ bank draft.


https://wise.com/ca/blog/buying-a-car-i ... ting-to-us
[OP]
Member
Oct 4, 2006
369 posts
140 upvotes
booblehead wrote: the only comment I will make is ..... Do not take any US issued certified money orders/cheque/bank draft at all. If you want to make sure you are not being taken for a ride, have the buyer and yourself go to your home bank and ask the buyer to transfer the funds to your bank account or having the buyer buy a Cdn $ bank draft.


https://wise.com/ca/blog/buying-a-car-i ... ting-to-us
This is exactly why I posted - thank you for the advice, the last thing I want if my vehicle leaving the country via a fraudulent payment.


I’m of course hoping to get some detailed info on the paperwork side of things but this is an excellent start!
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jul 30, 2007
32388 posts
19792 upvotes
Toronto
If you like, you can have your car safetied (with valid certificate in hand) by showing the buyer that you have provided him with evidence that the car is in fair condition which can be driven safely. This may provide him with some peace of mind.
Deal Addict
Sep 8, 2017
4650 posts
4912 upvotes
GTA
All of that is the buyer's responsibility. So I guess it's nice that you're looking into this for them? But no good deed goes unpunished. If the buyer has no idea what's required, and is relying entirely on you, you can be sure they'll be back at your doorstep when CBP turns them away saying you didn't tell them this, or you didn't give them that.

You and the buyer should both start here:

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import- ... orting-car
Deal Addict
Oct 1, 2015
3010 posts
4341 upvotes
Barrie, ON
Like mentioned above, this is on the buyer, not you. He's got a pretty specific process he needs to follow in order to make the import seamless.
[OP]
Member
Oct 4, 2006
369 posts
140 upvotes
I’m trying to meet them halfway and give some help to make it smooth - big issue will be a letter of compliance from Volvo - requiring a list of modifications and parts required to meet US road safety that are to be performed at a Volvo authorized dealer. And a $1000 fee to Volvo $USD.

Thanks to all that posted today - I’ll see if the buyer continues forward but I am starting to doubt it.
[OP]
Member
Oct 4, 2006
369 posts
140 upvotes
Lotek9119 wrote: @jamessh1 did you ever end up selling the car?
Yes! The buyer paid for the clearance letter ($1000 USD) from Volvo and also paid for the required modifications for US roadways (TPMS system via dealer) . He also paid me in full via “wise”, formerly transfer wise and everything went as smooth as could be! I kept waiting for a red flag or issue and nothing arised - I Dis come down a bit on price given the extra expenses for the letter and mods but I netted out thousands a head of any local offers received.

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)