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A bill of sale is a short contract that records the transfer of ownership of goods, a vehicle or other personal property from a seller to a buyer. Our free Canadian template follows the Sale of Goods Act framework used across the common-law provinces and includes the warranties, release and signature blocks a private buyer and seller need.
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A bill of sale is a written contract under which a seller transfers title to specific personal property to a buyer in exchange for a stated price. In Ontario the underlying relationship is governed by the Sale of Goods Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.1, which implies basic terms such as the seller’s right to sell, quiet possession and freedom from undisclosed encumbrances. British Columbia has equivalent provisions in the Sale of Goods Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 410.
Bills of sale are most often used for private vehicle sales, but they are equally useful for trailers, motorcycles, boats, farm equipment, industrial machinery, furniture, livestock and other second-hand goods. For motor vehicles in Ontario the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 11 requires a signed transfer document, and Service Ontario requires a Used Vehicle Information Package together with a completed bill of sale before it will register the change of ownership.
A proper bill of sale protects both parties. It gives the buyer documentary proof that the goods now belong to them and evidence of the purchase price. It protects the seller by recording that the goods were sold “as is” where applicable and by confirming the buyer has inspected and accepted them, reducing the scope for later disputes about condition.
Our bill of sale template captures the essential commercial and identification details.
Full legal name, address and contact information of the seller (or each co-owner, if multiple).
Full legal name, address and contact information of the buyer acquiring the goods.
Detailed identification including make, model, year, VIN or serial number, colour and condition.
Total purchase price in Canadian dollars, along with any deposit paid and the balance due on delivery.
Whether payment is by cash, e-transfer, bank draft, cheque or another agreed method.
Date on which ownership and risk in the goods pass from seller to buyer.
Confirmation that the seller is the lawful owner and that the goods are free from liens and encumbrances.
Statement that the goods are sold “as is, where is” except for the warranty of title.
For motor vehicles, the odometer reading on the transfer date as required by provincial registries.
Space for both parties and, where appropriate, a witness to sign and date the bill of sale.
Follow these steps to prepare a bill of sale that satisfies both parties and the relevant registry.
Record the full legal names and current addresses of the buyer and seller.
Include all identifying information such as make, model, year, VIN or serial number, and condition.
Set out the purchase price in Canadian dollars, any deposit and how the balance will be paid.
Add the warranty of title and, for second-hand goods, an “as is” clause covering condition.
Both parties sign the bill of sale, keep a copy each, and the buyer uses the original to register the transfer if required.
Four things that make our templates more thorough than AI-generated drafts and more current than static template libraries.
Drafted with legal expertise for each jurisdiction, far more thorough than AI-generated drafts that copy generic clauses across borders.
Templates carrying statute references are continuously updated as the law changes. Your document always reflects the current legal framework.
Free to download. Vector text, embedded fonts, statute citations baked in. Print, sign, file. Ready for any signing flow including electronic signature.
Continue editing in Word after download. Add custom clauses, reuse the template for similar agreements, or share with a colleague for collaborative review.
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Several Canadian statutes shape the rights and duties of buyers and sellers under a bill of sale.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified lawyer in your province for advice specific to your situation.
Reviewed for Canadian law
In Ontario the Sale of Goods Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.1, s. 1 defines a contract of sale and sections 13 to 15 imply conditions and warranties regarding title, description, quality and fitness for purpose. British Columbia’s Sale of Goods Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 410 contains parallel provisions. Private sales can contract out of most implied terms, but the warranty of title cannot be excluded.
Before buying valuable goods the buyer should search the Personal Property Security Act registry in the relevant province (for example the PPSA, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.10 in Ontario or the PPSA, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 359 in BC) to confirm that no secured creditor has registered a lien. A clean search plus an express warranty of title in the bill of sale provides strong protection.
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 11 requires sellers to provide a Used Vehicle Information Package and the buyer to register the transfer within six days. BC’s Motor Vehicle Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 318 and Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. T-6 have similar requirements. The bill of sale is usually required by the registry to complete the change of ownership.
Provincial sales taxes such as Ontario's retail sales tax on used vehicles are collected on registration based on the bill of sale price or the wholesale value, whichever is higher — a rule that applies across Canadian provincial registries. Misstating the price to evade tax can lead to reassessment and penalties. Canadian sellers of business inventory should also consider HST/GST obligations under the Excise Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-15.
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