What's involved with selling my car to someone in Montreal? What kind of paperwork is involved? What's different from just a plain old US to US sale? I know this has been discussed before, but at the time I wasn't paying attention.

Just takes some paper work on the buyers end. As far as you are concerned as a seller, it is conducted normally. You transfer title to them exactly the same. They can get title with an out of country address. The biggest thing you can do to help the buyer is to provide them with some sort of bill of sale stating the price and date you sold it to them. This helps them a lot for importing the car to Canada.

The buyer will need to fill in some export papers (one page) and submit it to US customs with the title. The car must remain in the US for 3 business days while that is processed, and then they may take it accross and go to Canada customs where they fill out another form and pay tax if applicable. Only certain border crossings can deal with vehicle export/import.

It's best they contact US and Canada customs to get all the details. It's very important that every step be followed. It's very easy though.

Every province is a little different, but they should talk to their local insurance provider to figure out the insurance. here in BC I was able to insure My truck without BC registration or plates to drive it home.

Thanks. I appreciate your help, Jarett.

From my recent experience, (buying a car in PA), it's not a given that a Canadian buyer can get a title with out of state address. What you can get is a title transfer (in PA, notarized), which will then allow you to export the car from the US and register it in Canada. Also from experience, bring a copy of the advertisement for sale, showing asking price, to the Canada Customs folks. I had a bill of sale showing the actual purchase price ($800 less than asking), but didn't bring a copy of the Craigslist ad. Canada Customs went online at the border crossing and said that they saw $20K+ prices for a 69 Firebird convertible, questioning my stated purchase price. I did have a copy of the Craigslist ad at home and they finally relented and allowed me to import it. As stated, make sure you have all the paperwork in order BEFORE you get to the border. US Customs want 72 hours to check for stlen vehicles or those involved in crimes (drugs) before permitting export. They won't tell you on the phone whether it's cleared, preferring, I suppose, that you show up (to be arrested) if there's a problem.

Otherwise, it's relatively simple.

I bought my car in California and brought it home to Canada. You MUST have the title of the car for the buyer, without the title he/she will not be cleared through the US export office at the border, believe me I know, been there done that. As was posted earlier the buyer must send info to the export office at the border at least three business days before the vehicle is exported, it can be faxed. A visit to the US border control website will inform the buyer of all the info that must be sent and where. When they get to the border they must have the original paperwork with them. It's an easy process as long as the correct steps are taken.

My biggest hurdle was at the Canadian side of the border. The buyer will have to supply proof of purchase and pay tax at the border. Make sure they have the receipt for the money order or bank draft and a copy of the add [if any] that was posted for the sale of the car. Apparently the border people have been watching too much Barrett-Jackson and think any 1960's era car is worth 15 times more than it actually is. I had the bill of sale, receipt, title, registration original black plate and export permit but was still three hours at the border listening to the agents tell me the amount of time I would spend in jail for trying to defraud the government. I didn't bring the receipt for the bank draft with me.
They finally let me go when I told them if they think that clapped out Firebird is worth $35,00 give me the money and you can have the car.
The pleasures of living in a socialist police state.

I had not thought about taking the for sale add to the border for importing as well as the bill of sale. I imported an 87 Dodge pickup, so value (or lack of) was never in question. lol.

It can take time to get the US title though, so the buyer needs to have somewhere to park the car. Depending on State. I bought my truck in Washington and they mail the title to the buyer and it took them 8 weeks.

Thanks, guys. My Montreal buyer has been silent for awhile, so we'll see.