How to Sell a Car to a South Carolina Resident as a North Carolina Dealer

When an NC dealer sells a vehicle to an SC buyer, the paperwork process differs from a standard in-state sale. You’ll skip the NC title application, complete South Carolina’s Form 400 instead, and your customer will need to pay SC property taxes before they can register. Here’s exactly what forms you need and how to handle the transaction.

  • If the NC dealer is going to title and register the vehicle for the customer in SC

    • ​Complete all the paperwork they would for a NC customer except the MVR-1, Title Application.
    • Use the MVR-2 to reassign ownership to the SC Resident
    • The MVR-180 and 181 (SC DMV won’t need these but NC law requires that you complete them and give a copy to the customer),
    • The Buyers Guide
    • The Bill of Sale (make sure trade-in value is itemized separately for SC IMF calculation)
    • And if you are financing, the finance documents.
  • Then the dealer should complete a SC Form 400, their Title Application. Lienholder information goes on it as well. If you use KGI Dealer Solutions DMS the form will print on plain paper.

  • What is the South Carolina Buyer’s Living Situation:

  • IF the buyer’s SC drivers license address does not match the address on the Title Application, they will also need a Form DL-222, Change of Residency Affidavit
  • IF the buyer does not have a SC Driver’s License but wants to title and register it in SC, they will need a Form TI-006.
  • IF they are military and stationed in SC with an out of state address, they will need a copy of the buyer’s military orders.
  • IF they are a student attending school in SC with an out of state license, they will need a copy of the buyer’s student ID or enrollment papers, less than 12 months old.
  • IF they are “snow birds”, with a SC address but an out of state drivers license, they will need a copy of a mortgage statement or utility bill with their SC address. The Form TI-006 lists acceptable identification documents. They only need a copy of their drivers license or ID if it is not SC.
  • IF they are titling in a business name, they need a copy of a business license, corporate charter, etc. verifying that it is a real business.

Important Part

In SC, property taxes have to be paid before the vehicle can be titled and registered. South Carolina dealers, and only SC dealers, can bypass the property taxes. North Carolina dealers need to have a property tax receipt to title and register the vehicle, so they need to contact the buyer’s county tax office, find out what the taxes will be, and pay them; or they can tell the customer to go pay the property taxes and bring or send the dealer the receipt. The receipt goes to DMV with the title, all reassignments, and the title application.

2026 Update: Odometer Disclosure Rule Change

The federal odometer disclosure exemption has changed from 10 years to 20 years, but it phases in by model year. Model Year 2010 and older vehicles are exempt. However, Model Year 2011 and newer vehicles require actual mileage disclosure on the MVR-180, even if the car is 15 years old. The SC DMV is strictly enforcing this and will reject title applications for 2011+ vehicles marked “Exempt.”

2026 Update: Temporary Tag Timeline

Your NC temporary marker is valid for 30 days, but SC gives buyers 45 days to register. This creates a 15-day gap where the customer could be driving on an expired tag while still within SC’s registration window. Advise your SC customers to complete their property tax payment and registration within the first 30 days.

Selling to SC Customers Regularly?

NC dealers across the state use KGI Dealer Solutions to streamline cross-border sales. Our DMS prints SC Form 400 and handles all the paperwork so you can focus on selling cars.

See How Our DMS Can Help →

More Questions Answered

Here are some other questions we typically hear in regards to selling a car in North Carolina

Can you buy a car in NC and register it in SC?

Yes! What state you buy a car in does not matter, what matters is that you title and register the vehicle in South Carolina at the SCDMV. You will pay about $555, which includes $500 IMF (max), $15 title fee, and $40 license and registration fee. Plus the vehicle property taxes paid to the county you reside in.

Note: The IMF is 5% of the sale price, capped at $500. It’s calculated on the net price after trade-in. If you buy a $15,000 car and trade in a $10,000 vehicle, the IMF is based on $5,000 (which would be $250, not the $500 cap).

What documents or DMV forms are needed to sell a car in North Carolina?

  • Use the Vehicle Title to reassign ownership to the new owner. If you’re a dealership use the MVR-2.
  • The MVR-180 Odometer Disclosure for Model Year 2011 and newer vehicles (the 20-year rule now applies).
  • The MVR-181 Damage Disclosure to disclose any known damage to the vehicle (flood/salvage/etc)
  • The Bill of Sale
  • You will need a notary when completing the title transfer.

Can I register a car in South Carolina with an out of state Title?

Yes, if you are moving to SC and need to title and register your car from another state here are a few things to know:

  • Get an SC Driver’s License: If you’re moving to South Carolina it’s best to first get an SC driver’s license.
  • Pay Property Taxes: You will need to pay vehicle property taxes to your county.
  • NMVTIS check: Your vehicle must clear the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, then your new SC title will be mailed to your South Carolina address.
  • Update your insurance: This needs to be to your SC address.
  • Visit the DMV with the following paperwork:
    • Bring a Form 400 – SC Title Application
    • Bring your original title (and registration if you have it)
    • Your ID
    • Insurance Information
    • Original property tax receipt
    • Up to $500 for the IMF (Infrastructure Maintenance Fee – 5% of sale price, capped at $500, only paid once per vehicle)
    • $55 for title and registration fees.

Can you sell a vehicle in North Carolina WITHOUT a title?

NO! The title proves ownership. Without the title there’s no proof the vehicle you selling/buying isn’t stolen. The seller will need to first complete an NC MVR-4 which is an application for duplicate title. Complete the MVR-4, pay $21.50 fee, and wait out the 15-day mandatory waiting period. Once you have the duplicate title you can now sell the vehicle.