US titles and exporting motorcycles

US titles and exporting motorcycles

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Discussion

geeman237

Original Poster:

1,228 posts

184 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
Has anyone any experience of permanently exporting a car or motorcycle out of the US to another country and how you handle the US title.
My brother, who lives in Australia, has bought two classic British motorcycles from friends of mine here in SC, USA. I have the US titles. Seeing as the bikes are being exported permanently, surely no US title needs to be issued to him. The seller signs the back of the title, then what? Its sent to my brother to get it titled in Australia? The shipping company will want to see the title for sure.
Does any part of the title go back to the SC DMV so they know the bikes have changed owner?
In SC to get a title you need to pay property tax then sales tax, but seeing as the new owner is not in the US nor going to register it in the US this seems unnecessary.
I am trying to avoid an hour wait at my local DMV and getting someone who really doesn't know what to do :-)

unrepentant

21,212 posts

255 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
US customs said:
Basic requirements
A person attempting to export a used self-propelled vehicle shall present to Customs, at the port of exportation, both the vehicle and the required documentation describing the vehicle to include the VIN or, if the vehicle does not have a VIN, the product identification number (PIN). Exportation of a vehicle will be permitted only upon compliance with these requirements, unless the vehicle was entered into the United States under an in-bond procedure, a carnet, a Temporary Importation Bond, or under a personal exemption for non-residents who entered the vehicle for a 1-year period.
Documentation required
•When presented
Exportation by vessel or aircraft. For those vehicles exported by vessel or aircraft, the required documentation and the vehicle must be presented to Customs at least 72 hours prior to export.
1.•Exportation at land border crossing points. For those vehicles exported by rail, highway, or under their own power.
The required documentation must be submitted to Customs at least 72 hours prior to export; and
1.The vehicle must be presented to Customs at the time of exportation.



Where presented

•Careful attention should be paid to 19 CFR 192.2 (d), "Where presented." Port Directors will establish locations at which exporters must present the required documentation and the vehicles for inspection. Port Directors will publicize these locations, including their hours of operation.
Authentication of documentation

•Customs will determine the authenticity of the documents submitted. Once determined, Customs will mark the original documents. In most cases the original document(s) will be returned to the exporter. In those cases where the original title document was presented to and retained by Customs and cannot be found prior to the vehicle's export, the exporter's authenticated copy of the original documentation serves as evidence of compliance with the reporting requirements.


2.For U.S. Titled Vehicles
1.•
Vehicles issued an original certificate of title. For used, self-propelled vehicles issued, by any jurisdiction in the United States, a Certificate of Title or a Salvage Title that remains in force, the owner must provide to Customs the original Certificate of Title or a Certified Copy of the Certificate of Title and two complete copies of the original Certificate of Title or the Certified Copy of the original.
1.•Where title evidences third-party ownership/claims. If the used, self-propelled vehicle is leased or a recorded lien exists in the U.S., in addition to complying with paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the provisional owner must provide to Customs a separate writing from the third-party-in interest which expressly provides that the subject vehicle may be exported. This writing must be on the third-party's letterhead paper and contain a complete description of the vehicle including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the name of the owner or lienholder of the leased vehicle, and the telephone numbers at which that owner or lienholder may be contacted and must bear an original signature of the third-party and state the date it was signed.
I read that to say the title should be in the exporters (owners) name which makes sense as far as ascertaining that it's not stolen. In most states you can't get a title without being able to prove residence. (Not sure about SC).

I would ask a freight forwarder.