Free Mississippi Trailer Bill of Sale
Mississippi requires all trailers to be registered, and trailers with a GVWR of 5,000 lbs or more must also be titled using Form 78-006 at the County Tax Collector. Like all Mississippi motor vehicle transactions, the 7-working-day deadline applies to titled trailers — a 25% penalty on all taxes and fees kicks in if the buyer misses the window. Mississippi does not have a separate trailer bill of sale form; any written document with the VIN, GVWR, sale price, and both parties' signatures satisfies the requirement.
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Mississippi Trailer Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
The 5% Mississippi Use Tax applies to trailer purchases and is collected at the County Tax Collector at title transfer or registration. Tax is assessed on the purchase price on the bill of sale.
Inspection Requirements
Mississippi does not require a safety inspection for trailers at the time of sale or registration. No inspection certificate is needed at the County Tax Collector.
Mississippi Trailer Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Confirm the trailer's GVWR: trailers at or above 5,000 lbs need a title (Form 78-006); lighter trailers need only registration — but both must be completed at the County Tax Collector.
- Prepare a written bill of sale with the trailer VIN (typically stamped on the tongue or frame), year, make, GVWR, trailer type (utility, flatbed, enclosed, etc.), sale price, sale date, and both parties' information.
- Seller signs the title over to the buyer if the trailer has a title (GVWR 5,000 lbs+). Provide any lien-release documentation if applicable.
- Buyer obtains Form 78-006 from the County Tax Collector or downloads it from dor.ms.gov.
- Buyer visits the County Tax Collector within 7 working days of the sale for titled trailers.
- Buyer pays the 5% Mississippi Use Tax on the purchase price plus applicable title and registration fees.
- Seller removes the Mississippi license plate — trailer plates stay with the seller.
- Buyer registers the trailer and obtains new plates. Utility trailers under 5,000 lbs go through registration-only, with no title fee.
Common Pitfalls
- Not knowing the GVWR threshold: Mississippi's 5,000 lbs GVWR line for required titling is higher than many other states (some require titles at 1,500 or 3,000 lbs). Sellers with utility trailers between 3,000 and 5,000 lbs often assume a title exists when it does not — confirm at the County Tax Collector before advertising the trailer.
- Applying the 7-working-day deadline only to cars: Mississippi's strict title transfer deadline applies to all titled vehicles including trailers. The 25% penalty is not waived for trailers — buyers should treat a titled trailer purchase with the same urgency as a car purchase.
- Missing the VIN on the bill of sale: trailer VINs are sometimes stamped in obscure locations (on the tongue, under the frame, inside a rail). Using only a description without the VIN on the bill of sale will cause the County Tax Collector to reject the title application.
- Confusing a boat trailer with a boat registration: Mississippi boat trailers are registered and titled through the County Tax Collector and DOR, not MDWFP. If you buy a boat-and-trailer package, the trailer transfers through DOR while the boat transfers through MDWFP — two separate transactions.
Pro Tip
Trailer sales in Mississippi are governed by the same county-office process and 7-working-day clock as car sales. Confirm the GVWR upfront to know whether a title is required, locate the VIN on the frame before completing paperwork, and remove the plates at handoff. For buyers purchasing a boat-and-trailer package, remember: boat to MDWFP, trailer to County Tax Collector — two separate visits, two separate transactions.