Free South Carolina Trailer Bill of Sale
South Carolina draws its trailer-title line at 2,500 pounds EMPTY weight: at or above it, the SCDMV titles the trailer and the seller's title must change hands; below it, a plate without a title can suffice. The state's own Form 4031 documents the sale, the transfer window is a relaxed 45 days, and the tax is the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee — 5% capped at $500, which genuinely benefits buyers of big enclosed and equipment trailers. For a trailer that never had a title, South Carolina publishes a rescue path: the TI-021A Affidavit of Ownership paired with the TI-021B identification verification.
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South Carolina Trailer Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Same 5% IMF capped at $500 applies to trailers.
South Carolina Trailer Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Check the empty weight: 2,500 lbs or more means the SCDMV title must transfer; lighter trailers may run on registration alone.
- Verify the VIN or serial plate against the title (or prior registration).
- Complete SCDMV Form 4031 (the state's bill of sale) with VIN/serial, type, weight, sale price, date, and both signatures.
- Seller signs the title over on titled trailers.
- Buyer submits to the SCDMV within 45 days.
- Buyer pays the 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, capped at $500 — the cap starts helping above $10,000.
- Trailer never titled? File the TI-021A Affidavit of Ownership plus TI-021B identification verification with your bill of sale.
Common Pitfalls
- Ignoring the 2,500-lb empty-weight line — buying a heavy trailer without collecting the title leaves the transfer incomplete at the SCDMV counter.
- Assuming the cap always saves money — below $10,000 the full 5% applies; the $500 ceiling is a big-trailer benefit.
- Discarding the paper trail on a light, never-titled trailer — the bill of sale plus TI-021A/B affidavits are what create its first title if you ever need one.
- Coasting past the 45 days — late fees arrive on schedule despite the generous window.
Pro Tip
South Carolina trailers: titles start at 2,500 empty pounds, Form 4031 plus 45 days covers the transfer, the IMF stops at $500 — and the TI-021 affidavits resurrect paperwork for title-less trailers.