Selling a US Registered Vehicle to a Foreigner in Argentina

For those of you who want to know, here is the basic process for selling a US plated car to a foreigner in South America.

1. The seller magically finds a buyer. (They can be from anywhere, except Argentina.)
2. The seller creates a bill of sale for both parties. (it is signed and notarized).
3. The seller signs the title and hands it over to the buyer.
4. The seller and buyer go to a notary public (i.e. Lawyer) in Buenos Aires and have a power of attorney created. This notarized paper states simply that the seller has permission to drive the car everywhere for an unlimited period of time.
5. Seller and buyer go to a customs office in Buenos Aires (or cross a border). Here the temporary vehicle permit is transferred from the old owner to the new owner. This allows the old owner to leave the country. And gives the new owner the correct paperwork to legally be driving in Argentina.
6. The seller reports the car sold to the Department of Licensing in Seattle. This removes all responsibility from the seller for things like traffic tickets.

This is all that needs to happen for the old owner to no longer be legally responsible for the vehicle and for the new owner to drive it legally anywhere in the world.

There are a few more details on Wikioverland: http://wikioverland.org/Argentina#Buy_or_sell_a_car_or_motorbike_in_Argentina

Registering in the US

OPTIONAL: The new owner can choose to re-register the car in their name in the United States. There are two ways to do this. Note that this is NOT required in order to drive the car in Central or South America.

OPTION A: Drive the car to California, hand over the signed title, and register the car. Because California has emissions testing you must present yourself and the vehicle in person. They will transfer the Washington State title to a California title and you get to pay happy California registration fees. For more information on this visit: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/vr.htm

Note that you can register this car in any state that you want. California is the closest stop, and a very easy place for foreigners to register cars. But you could legally register in any state. (And in any country for that matter, assuming you are willing to pay the import taxes). Some states (like Washington) will charge a late fee if you register the car more than 15 days after it was reported sold. In Washington it's $2 per day to  maximum of $125. It's not a big deal, but you should know.

OPTION B: The buyer can apply for a new Washington State title by mail. (Note that we are still verifying the details of this process and we are not yet certain this would work for anyone but Washington State residents).

1. The buyer must fill out a Vehicle Certificate for Ownership Application form and have it notarized: http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420001.html (You must have a have a Washington street address. You may also need a Washington ID number. We are checking to see if this requirement can be waved for non-residents).
2. The buyer must have the emission testing waved by completing and notarizing another form: http://www.emissiontestwa.com/e/faq.aspx#4 (See Out of Area Form)
3. The buyer makes a very nice looking copy of the title to remain with them in their current country. Just in case the Argentinian authorities ask for it at a checkpoint.
4. The buyer mails the ownership application, emmission testing waiver, bill of sale, original signed title, and payment (approx. $50) to the Dept of Licensing in Washington. See full instructions here: http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/transferprivate.html
5. The title (and possibly new license plates) are mailed to the street address provided on the Vehicle Application form. (Normal processing time in 8-10 weeks according to the DMV. Last time it took 4 weeks to receive our title. You can pay an additional $50 to have your title mailed immediately).
6. Someone at the listed Washinton street address then forwards the new owner the new title (and maybe plates) to wherever they are in South America.

That's all I know. We will update the last section as we recieve more information from the DOL.

The seller magically finds a buyer. (They can be from anywhere, except Argentina.)

The seller creates a bill of sale for both parties.

The seller signs the title and hands it over to the buyer.

The seller and buyer go to a notary public (i.e. Lawyer) in Buenos Aires and have a power of attorney created. This notarized paper states simply that the seller has permission to drive the car everywhere for an unlimited period of time.

Seller and buyer go to a customs office in Buenos Aires (or cross a border). Here the temporary vechicle permit is transferred from the old owner to the new owner. This allows the old owner to leave the country. And gives the new owner the correct paperwork to legally be driving in Argentina.

The seller reports the car sold to the Department of Licensing in Seattle. This removes all responsibility from the seller for things like traffic tickets incurred.

Comments

 

#2 JessicaM 2013-11-12 21:48

Hi Patrick,
Yes, Dan of http://theroadchoseme.com/ sold his jeep, and Biana and Logan of http://panamnotes.com/ sold their truck and camper as well. If you look through their websites and also possible here: http://wikioverland.org/Argentina
you will find more info. Hope that helps.
Jessica

 

 

#1 Patrick 2013-11-12 20:13

Hi guys, do you know of anyone who has gone through the process of selling a US/Canada registered car to a foreigner in Argentina? We have an interested buyer in Buenos Aires, but would appreciate any help with the paperwork process...

 

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