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Charleston, South Carolina Van Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a van in Charleston, South Carolina. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Charleston, South CarolinaVanPopulation rank #164

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Van VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Charleston County

DMV / Title Office

SC SCDMV – Charleston Office

Address

3790 Leeds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Phone

(803) 896-5000

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

9.00%

Base Registration Fee

$40.00

South Carolina Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund (IMF) fee: $500 max on vehicle purchases instead of regular sales tax

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

South Carolina does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Charleston Transfer Checklist

  • SC charges a $500 max IMF fee instead of standard sales tax on vehicles
  • Title transfer at SCDMV within 45 days
  • Seller must sign the title assignment
  • Vehicle property tax paid to Charleston County at time of registration

County Information — Charleston County

County Clerk / Recorder

Charleston County Clerk of Court

Phone

(843) 958-5000

Van market data and safety information

The most common van makes in private-party sales are Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Ford, Mercedes-Benz. Average private-party van prices range from $5,000–$35,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent van models is 4.1 out of 5 stars. Vans average 3 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Electrical, Power Train, Airbags.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used van

Before completing a van bill of sale in South Carolina, verify these safety items:

  • Test all sliding door mechanisms and automatic closing features
  • Check rear entertainment system and climate controls if equipped
  • Verify Stow ’n Go or fold-flat seating operation
  • Inspect power liftgate struts and sensors

Van insurance and depreciation in South Carolina

Minivans are among the cheapest vehicles to insure. Commercial van insurance costs 2–3x more. Minivans depreciate faster than SUVs — expect 50–60% loss over 5 years. Conversion vans with custom builds are harder to value. Peak season for private van sales is summer when families are looking for travel vehicles, with an average of 24 days on market.

Van registration and titling

Vans are classified as "Passenger vehicle (minivan) or Commercial vehicle (cargo/work van)" for registration purposes. Passenger vans under 16,000 lbs GVWR follow standard rules. 15-passenger vans and cargo vans over 10,000 lbs may have special registration requirements. Federal odometer disclosure is required for vans under 20 years old.

Van sales in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston residents completing a van bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to South Carolina state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5%, 5% infrastructure maintenance fee (imf), capped at $500. The most popular van makes in South Carolina include Honda, Toyota, Chrysler.

South Carolina bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,283 bill of sale documents for South Carolina transactions, with 35 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

What county is Charleston in, and which office handles title transfers?

Charleston is in Charleston County. Title transfers are handled by the SC SCDMV – Charleston Office at 3790 Leeds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (803) 896-5000.

What is the sales tax rate on a van sale in Charleston?

The combined rate is 9.00%. South Carolina Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund (IMF) fee: $500 max on vehicle purchases instead of regular sales tax.

Is notarization required for a van bill of sale in Charleston?

No. South Carolina does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

What fees should I expect when transferring a van title in Charleston?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $40.00. Sales tax at 9.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.