Free British Columbia General Bill of Sale
A general bill of sale in British Columbia is a legal contract recording the private transfer of personal property — furniture, electronics, tools, equipment, jewelry, or any tangible item that does not carry a provincial title. Unlike vehicle sales, there is no government registration step; the signed bill of sale is the sole proof of ownership transfer.
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British Columbia General Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Tax Details
GST/HST may apply if the seller is a GST-registered business. Private individual-to-individual sales of used personal property are typically exempt.
Exemption: Vehicles gifted between certain family members may qualify for a PST exemption. The federal Luxury Tax (10% on the amount exceeding $100,000 for passenger vehicles) applies separately from BC PST.
Inspection Requirements
No inspection is required for general personal-property sales.
British Columbia General Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller
- Clear description of each item (make, model, serial number if applicable)
- Condition: new, used, refurbished, or as-is
- Sale price and payment method
- Date of sale
- Whether the item carries a warranty or is sold as-is
- Both parties sign; keep a copy for at least 3 years
Common Pitfalls
- Vague item descriptions create disputes — always include make, model, and serial number.
- Omitting "as-is" language may allow buyers to claim the item was misrepresented.
- An undated bill of sale is much weaker evidence if a dispute arises.
Pro Tip
BC's Autoplan system is more convenient than it first appears — one broker visit handles insurance, registration, and PST simultaneously. The key preparation: complete the APV9T before arriving (most brokers have it available to download), bring the Canadian Black Book value if you want to confirm your PST calculation in advance, and confirm whether the vehicle needs a DIF inspection if it has out-of-province history.