With the rise of online auction sites, salvage buyers now have the unique ability to purchase semi truck salvage from any state, regardless of their place of residency. While this does offer buyers a wider array of semi truck options, buying salvage from another state can have some “gray areas.” Before you get started, here are a few tips to help you navigate buying semi truck salvage from another state.

Reasons to Buy Salvage Out of State  

There are many reasons to purchase salvage from out of state. Some buyers seek outside their local area because there is not enough inventory in their immediate area and can’t find what they are looking for. Additionally, buyers can sometimes find better deals out of state, as some states use different standards to value salvage vehicles. For example, in states such as Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Oregon a commercial vehicle can be designated as salvage if it is stolen and then later recovered. These vehicles can be a low-risk purchase at auctions, since they may have little or no damage to them. 

When considering purchasing salvage out of state it is important to think about the additional cost factors such as: transportation, insurance, inspections, registrations, and taxes associated with out of state sales. 

Buying Salvage Out of State  

With the rise of online auctions, buyers now have the ability to look at semi truck salvage located outside their home state. With this information, most buyers find themselves wondering if they can buy semi truck salvage from other states. The answer is: yes! There are no laws in place prohibiting the out of state sale of salvage. However, be cognizant that each state has their own rules and regulations regarding salvage vehicles. These rules vary state to state as some state laws are more demanding than others. For example, in some states buyers are required to obtain a separate salvage or dealers license in order to purchase salvage. While in other states, no such license is required. 

Another factor that varies state to state is inspection regulations. If you buy a salvaged semi truck from another state, some states require that you get the truck inspected in the state where you purchased it before you can bring it home. This can complicate a buyer’s intent to purchase if they do not have the means to get the vehicle inspected before taking it home. 

Each state has different rules on buying semi truck salvage depending on the damage done to the vehicle. In some cases, certain states are easier to work with than others as they have less demanding rules regarding the type of damage done to the vehicle. Be sure to check regulations in your state and the state you are transporting the vehicle from to ensure you are following all the rules in place. 

Rules to Buying Salvage Out of State 

While each state has their own laws regarding salvage regulations, there are some standard rules and regulations that every salvage buyer must follow when purchasing semi truck salvage out of state. 

First, buyers must pay sales tax to the state where they will register the vehicle, this is typically their state of residence. Alongside paying taxes in your home state, the salvaged semi truck must meet the emission standards of your home state, not the state it was bought in. Additionally, if you plan to drive your salvaged semi truck back to your home state you need to obtain a temporary registration card from the state where you purchased the semi-truck. Finally, be sure you find out the time limit for registering the semi truck in a new state. In many cases, you must complete this step within 30 days of purchase or risk fines and other penalties. 

Buy with Heavy Salvage

Buying semi-truck salvage, especially from out of state, can seem intimidating at first, but with the right resources and support from trusted professionals, the process is made much easier. Heavy Salvage offers the industry’s most trusted system of selling transportation salvage. Through our nationwide pool of verified sellers and 24-hour customer support, we go to great lengths to ensure buying salvage is easy.