In short
A business bill of sale records the sale of a business or its assets — equipment, inventory, fixtures, and goodwill — from a seller to a buyer.
What is a business bill of sale?
A business bill of sale documents the sale of a business or its assets from a seller to a buyer. It identifies the business and entity type and lists exactly what is being transferred — equipment, inventory, fixtures, goodwill, and trade name — along with the price and terms.
For larger or more complex deals it usually accompanies a fuller asset purchase agreement. For smaller asset sales, the bill of sale itself serves as the record that ownership of the listed assets transferred.
When do you need one?
Use a business bill of sale in situations like these:
- Selling or buying a small business or its assets.
- Transferring business equipment or a trade name between owners.
- Documenting an asset sale for accounting, tax, and ownership records.
What information goes on a business bill of sale?
A complete business bill of sale should include all of the following. Our generator collects each one and flags anything you miss:
- Buyer, seller, and business names and addresses
- Entity type and what is being sold (assets vs. entire business)
- A clear list of included assets
- Inventory value and any excluded items
- Price, effective date, and signatures
How to write a business bill of sale
- 1 Open the business bill of sale generator
Start the free generator with the Business Bill of Sale type already selected and choose the state where the sale takes place.
- 2 Enter the seller, buyer, and item details
Add full legal names and addresses, then describe the business — the live preview builds the document as you type.
- 3 Add the price and terms
Record the agreed price (or mark it as a gift), the payment method, and whether the sale is "as-is."
- 4 Check, sign, and download
Reach 100% on the completeness score, copy or download the document for free, then follow the signing checklist for your state.
Legal considerations
- List included and excluded assets precisely; ambiguity is the most common source of post-sale disputes.
- Business sales can involve taxes, licenses, leases, and liabilities a simple bill of sale does not cover — consider an attorney for larger deals.
- This document records the asset transfer; it does not by itself assign contracts, leases, or debts.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Read our disclaimer.
State-specific requirements
Requirements for a business bill of sale vary less by state than vehicle documents, but local rules on registration, tax, and recording still differ. Choose your state for specifics:
Business Bill of Sale — FAQ
What is a business bill of sale?
It is a document that records the sale of a business or its assets — equipment, inventory, fixtures, goodwill, and trade name — from one owner to another, with the price and terms, signed by both parties.
Is a bill of sale enough to sell a business?
For a small asset sale, often yes. Larger or more complex sales usually use a fuller asset purchase agreement plus a bill of sale, and may transfer licenses, leases, and liabilities separately.
What should a business bill of sale list?
The business name and entity type, exactly which assets are included and excluded, the inventory value, the price, the effective date, and both signatures.
Can a bill of sale be handwritten?
Yes. A handwritten bill of sale is legal as long as it includes the required details — the parties, a description of the item, the price, the date, and both signatures. Using a structured template simply makes sure nothing important is left out.
What does an "as-is" bill of sale mean?
An "as-is" bill of sale means the item is sold in its current condition with no warranties. The buyer accepts any faults, and the seller is not responsible for problems discovered after the sale. Most private used-item sales are "as-is."