can you export car with louisiana permit to sell title

[DelLukas]

No, a Louisiana "Permit to Sell" title is generally not sufficient for exporting a vehicle to another country. This permit is designed for transferring ownership within the state's legal framework, such as when a dealership sells a car. Exporting a vehicle involves a separate set of federal regulations, primarily handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and requires a clear, standard title free of any "permit" or "dealer" branding that could be flagged by foreign customs authorities.

To export successfully, you need to secure a regular Louisiana Certificate of Title in the seller's name. The "Permit to Sell" is often an intermediary document. You must first use it to complete the sale and apply for a standard title. This process can take several weeks. Once you have the standard title, the export procedure involves several key steps. You'll need to provide the original title and a completed CBP Form 7501 for the customs inspection at your chosen Export Port of Entry. The vehicle must be physically presented for this inspection, typically at a designated area within the port, at least 72 hours before the vessel's departure.

Foreign countries have their own Import Regulations, which may include age restrictions, safety and emission standards compliance, and duties. It is your responsibility as the exporter to ensure the vehicle meets the destination country's requirements. Attempting to export with just a "Permit to Sell" will almost certainly result in the vehicle being rejected by customs, leading to significant delays and additional costs.

Key Step	Responsible Party	Required Documentation	Typical Timeline
Obtain Standard Title	Seller/Exporter	Application, Permit to Sell, Odometer Disclosure	2-4 weeks
U.S. Customs Export	Exporter/CBP	Original Title, CBP Form 7501, ID	72 hours prior to shipment
Shipping Arrangements	Exporter/Freight Forwarder	Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice	Varies by destination
Import Customs Clearance	Importer (Buyer)	Documents from exporter, import declaration	Per destination country law

[PeytonFitz]

I ran into this exact issue trying to send a truck to a buddy in Central America. That permit title is basically a dealer's temporary slip; it's not a real ownership document in the eyes of foreign officials. I had to go back to the seller, get the permit converted into a regular Louisiana title in my name, and then start the shipping process. It added a solid month of waiting. Save yourself the headache and make sure you have the standard pink slip title before you even think about talking to a shipping company.

[LaGia]

The core issue is document validity. A "Permit to Sell" indicates a transaction in progress, not completed ownership. For U.S. Customs to authorize an export, they need to verify that the person shipping the car is its legal owner, which is proven with a standard certificate of title. The permit creates a red flag, suggesting the ownership chain is incomplete. Your first and most critical step is to contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles to convert the permit into a full title before proceeding with any export logistics.