Overhaulin'

Does exporting cars need a dealer license?

I'd like to run a small business helping oversea customers to find cars in US and exporting them. Do I need any kind of dealer's license? I am not selling any car in US. Your advice is appreciated!

Public Comments

1. I have exported cars in the past, in my experience I found that I had very little problem. Your only problem is that you should have a dealers license. Not so much for the selling if they are cars from another source but if you are selling the car from your own inventory as a non dealer you are limited in most states as to how many units you can sell in a years time. A business license isn't the end of the world and it has side benefits as well. Your paper work is no different than if they were living next door. When they take the vehicle to the boarder they will have to pay taxes and fees there, it is not your problem you just make sure that they have clear paper work before they leave with the vehicle. Your main customer base is going to be dealers and re-builders from south of the boarder. The word re builder may have raised an eyebrow. There are number of re builders that purchase salvage cars and take them south and rebuild them as sell as if they had never been in a wreck. In order for you to buy salvage vehicles from the Auto Auction you will need a dealers license. Don't look to make big dollars on a unit but they will buy enough cars from you to make it worth your time and effort