Purchasing a vehicle out of state? (Metlakatla: spring break, sales, insurance)

[MillerThyme]

I am going to be in the market for another vehicle around April 2018. However, the vehicle(s) I am currently in market for are very expensive in state and sometimes hard to come by in good condition. What is needed to purchase a vehicle out of state?

Obviously will need a passport.
Best way to handle the cash transaction?
What about sales tax on a vehicle in the lower 48 (state of Washington), or is it better to buy from a state like Montana?
What about crossing the border with a lower 48 plate and an Alaskan driver license?

I am sure I'll have other questions.

Thanks!

[AKStafford]

I can speak to a few of your questions...
Yes, you'll need the passport for the drive through Canada unless you drive to Tacoma and ship the vehicle from there while you fly home.
About 10 years ago I bought a couple of mini-buses for our church and a group of us flew down to Seattle to drive them up. We paid with a check. Not sure if there was sales tax...
We got a temporary tag from Washington State that was good for I think two weeks. Had those, the bill of sale from the dealer and a letter from the church authorizing us to drive them up. Canadian border guard didn't even look at them... Their only concern was a rifle one of us had bought and was bringing up. Had to have it inspected, fill out the paperwork and pay the fee. But otherwise we slid right on through.

[grandma4mom5]

I know it's not the same, and it's been awhile, but I bought a pop up in Washington state a few years ago from a car dealer. I didn't have to pay sales tax, told them I'll be titling it in Alaska. No problem driving through Canada, got the Alaska title right away, no problems.

[Alaskan Mutt]

Since Alaska does not have a state sales tax (yet) you do not have to pay Washington state sales tax as long as you are taking the vehicle to Alaska. You will need to be able to show proof of Alaska residency.

As soon as you buy the vehicle you will need to get it added on to your insurance policy and have your insurance company fax you something showing the vehicle is insured for passage thru Canada.

I would suggest you call a car dealer in Washington and tell them you are looking to buy a car to take back to Alaska and ask them what steps are needed to be done. I seem to recall seeing something where you get a temp license to get to Alaska.

[Arktikos]

Alaskans don't have to pay sales tax in Washington for personal property. As previously mentioned, not likely customs will care about anything other than your passport and whether you're carrying firearms.

OK, gotta ask: What ya buying?

[MillerThyme]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

Alaskans don't have to pay sales tax in Washington for personal property. As previously mentioned, not likely customs will care about anything other than your passport and whether you're carrying firearms.

OK, gotta ask: What ya buying?

Nothing new since my wife purchased a new 2016 Escape last year and that is our family rig. I want something fun like a Outback XT with manual or a diesel Jeep. Floating some ideas for project cars / trucks like a Avalanche with low miles. Either way the vehicles I am looking at here sell for a lot of money whereas they sell for $2-4k less down south. They also have less miles and many more to choose from at any given time.

I am mostly doing this for the adventure and something to do during spring break.

Thanks for replying everyone.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by MillerThyme

I am going to be in the market for another vehicle around April 2018. However, the vehicle(s) I am currently in market for are very expensive in state and sometimes hard to come by in good condition. What is needed to purchase a vehicle out of state?

Obviously will need a passport.
Best way to handle the cash transaction?
What about sales tax on a vehicle in the lower 48 (state of Washington), or is it better to buy from a state like Montana?
What about crossing the border with a lower 48 plate and an Alaskan driver license?

I am sure I'll have other questions.

Thanks!

If you only plan to travel throughout Canada and the US, you can save some cash by buying a passport Card instead of a passport.

[Metlakatla]

There is sales tax on vehicles in Washington.

One of the last things my mother did before she died was to buy a new fish truck in Oregon. I'm not sure how she paid for it; bank transfer, I'm guessing. She registered it before flying down, put the plates on, drove out to Eastern Oregon where I was holed up for the winter, put the truck on the barge in Washington, and went into a hospice home.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

There is sales tax on vehicles in Washington.

Alaska residents don't have to pay the sales tax on vehicles they buy with the intent of immediately taking them to Alaska. Same goes with vehicles bought in Idaho and Arizona and probably other states.

[Haolejohn]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

Alaska residents don't have to pay the sales tax on vehicles they buy with the intent of immediately taking them to Alaska. Same goes with vehicles bought in Idaho and Arizona and probably other states.

That's interesting. How did you find that out? I have thought about buying something this summer when we visit familyndown south. However the taxes have pushed me away.