Your Next Buyer Could Be Thousands of Miles Away

An overseas enquiry can dramatically widen the market for your aircraft, but an international sale can involve considerably more than simply accepting payment and handing over the keys.

Once a serious international buyer appears, establish early where the aircraft will ultimately be registered and delivered. That can affect the paperwork and practical steps required.

International Sale Checklist:

✓ Confirm the buyer’s identity and intended destination
✓ Agree who handles export and import requirements
✓ Check registration and deregistration requirements
✓ Establish whether export airworthiness documentation is needed
✓ Agree who arranges and pays for ferrying or shipping
✓ Consider using an experienced aircraft escrow provider
✓ Put responsibilities and the point of delivery clearly in the sale agreement

Requirements vary between jurisdictions, so don’t assume the process for one country applies to another. Aviation authorities, customs requirements, taxes and export controls may all need consideration depending on the transaction.

For a complex cross-border sale, specialist aviation legal, tax and import/export advice can be money well spent.

Aircraft sellers, what’s been the biggest challenge you’ve encountered when dealing with an international buyer?