Quick answer: To ship a car bought at auction, pay the auction in full, book a carrier the day you win, and give the carrier the lot number, your member or buyer number and the yard address. Copart and IAA both give you 3 business days to pay, and Copart charges storage after 3 days, so timing matters. If the car does not run, say so when you book; see how to ship a non-running car.
Copart says it lists more than 500,000 vehicles a day, and most auction buyers live far from the yard where their car sits. Shipping an auction car is different from shipping a car you already own: the yard sets the deadlines, you are usually not there at pickup, and many cars are damaged or do not run. This guide covers Copart and IAA pickup deadlines and storage fees, how to ship a car from each, other auctions, and how to avoid paying more than you planned.
Copart and IAA Pickup Deadlines and Storage Fees
| Copart | IAA | |
|---|---|---|
| Payment deadline | 3 business days, including the day of sale | 3 business days (auction day plus 2) |
| Late payment fee | $50 per vehicle | $50 or 2 percent of the sale price, whichever is greater |
| Free storage | 3 days from the day of sale | Set by each branch |
| After the free period | A daily storage fee; cars not removed by 5 p.m. local time on the third business day go to locked storage, with an extra gate fee | A daily storage fee per vehicle, and the car stays at your risk |
| Storage rate | Set by each location and listed on its location page | Set by each branch; check IAA’s buyer fees |
| Your own transporter | Allowed; the driver needs your member number and the lot number | Allowed; the driver checks in with the IAA Tow App |
| Loading | First come, first served; flatbeds recommended | By forklift, with a service fee |
| Never collected | An unpaid car can be relisted, with a relist fee | Paid but not collected within 30 days: a cancellation fee plus storage |
These rules come from Copart’s pay and pick-up page and member terms and IAA’s auction rules as of October 2026. Yards can change their hours and rates, so check your invoice and the yard’s page before you book.
How to Ship a Car Bought at Auction, Step by Step
- Get a quote before you bid, or the day you win. Price the shipment while you are bidding so the total cost is clear. Once you win, book straight away: the free storage days start on the day of sale.
- Pay the auction in full. Yards release a car only when the sale price and all fees are paid. Paying early also avoids late fees.
- Give the carrier the pickup details. The auction name and yard address, the lot or stock number, your member or buyer number, any gate pass or release, the yard’s hours, and whether the car runs, rolls and steers.
- Choose open or enclosed transport. Open transport suits most auction cars. A classic, exotic or high-value car is better in an enclosed trailer; see the benefits of enclosed auto transport.
- Authorize the pickup. Assign your transporter in your auction account or app if the auction asks for it, and make sure no fees are outstanding.
- Pickup and inspection. The driver records the car’s condition on the bill of lading before loading. You are usually not at the yard, so ask the carrier for photos.
- Delivery. Inspect the car against the pickup report and photos before you sign, and write any new damage on the bill of lading. See how to inspect the car at pickup and delivery.
Even when you book on the day of the sale, a carrier usually needs a few days to reach the yard, so a day or two of storage can be part of the cost. Ask the yard for its daily rate so you can plan for it.
How to Ship a Car From Copart
Copart gives you three ways to get the car: order delivery through Copart, dispatch your own transporter, or pick it up yourself. Copart works with third-party tow providers on many vehicles. To see if delivery is offered on your car, open Payments Due after the sale, check the ZIP code in the Location and Delivery section and click Order. If delivery is not offered, or you would rather choose the carrier yourself, book your own.
When your own carrier picks up, the driver needs your member number and the lot number, and pickup must be during the yard’s business hours. Loading is first come, first served, and heavy and medium duty lots are self-load only, so tell the carrier if you bought a large truck. To avoid storage fees, pay and arrange pickup within three days of the sale.
Shipping a Car From IAA
IAA also offers its own delivery, called IAA Transport. IAA says that if you order it before any storage fees build up, no further storage is charged while you wait for delivery. You can also schedule your own transporter, who checks in with the IAA Tow App and sees the stock details and any storage charges due. A driver cannot get in line for a car while fees are outstanding, so pay everything first.
IAA loads cars onto the transporter by forklift for a service fee, and once the car is awarded to you it is at your risk while it stays in the yard. Pickup times are set by each branch, so check yours when you win.
Other Auctions
- Dealer auctions such as Manheim. These usually issue a gate pass or release once the car is paid for. Send it to the carrier before pickup.
- eBay Motors and other online sales. The car is with the seller, not in a yard. Agree on a pickup date with the seller, and make sure they or someone they name can hand over the keys and sign the bill of lading.
- Government surplus. GSA Fleet cars sold through IAA have their own rules: pay within 2 days of the award and remove the car within 10 days.
- Collector auctions such as Mecum, Barrett-Jackson or Bring a Trailer. Book enclosed transport early, especially in auction season.
Shipping a Non-Running, Salvage or Damaged Auction Car
Many auction cars do not start, and some cannot roll or steer. They can still be shipped, but the carrier needs to know before pickup:
- Say exactly what works. Does it start, roll, steer and brake? A car that rolls can be winched onto a standard trailer; one that cannot may need a flatbed.
- Plan for unloading. The yard may load the car by forklift, but the driver still has to unload it at your address, which needs a winch.
- Check for keys. An auction listing showing keys present is not a promise they are still with the car. Without keys, the steering may lock and the car may not shift into neutral.
- Secure loose parts. Tell the carrier about loose panels, missing glass or parts inside the car before pickup.
- Keep the paperwork. Carry a copy of the bill of sale and the salvage title or sale document with the shipment details.
A non-running car costs more to ship than a running one, and the extra is shown on your quote.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car From an Auction?
Shipping an auction car costs the same as any other car of the same size over the same distance, plus any extra for a car that does not run. Typical prices for a running sedan on an open carrier with flexible dates:
| Distance | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $400 to $700 |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | $550 to $900 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | $700 to $1,100 |
| 1,500 to 2,000 miles | $850 to $1,300 |
| 2,000 miles and up | $1,000 to $1,700 |
Enclosed transport usually costs 40 to 60 percent more. Add the auction’s own fees, any storage if pickup falls after the free period, and any loading fee. For more on pricing, see our car shipping cost guide.
Common Mistakes Auction Buyers Make
- Booking transport days after the sale, after the free storage days have run out
- Describing the car as running when it does not, which can mean a failed pickup and a second storage bill
- Leaving fees unpaid, so the driver is turned away at the gate
- Not sending the lot number, member number or gate pass to the carrier
- Skipping the photos at pickup, which makes it hard to show what damage was already there
- Forgetting the size of the car. A large truck or SUV costs more to ship and may need a different trailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to pick up a car from Copart?
Copart gives you 3 days from the day of sale before storage fees start, and payment is due within 3 business days, including the day of sale. Cars not removed by 5 p.m. local time on the third business day go to locked storage, with an extra gate fee.
Can a transport company pick up from IAA without me?
Yes. You can schedule your own transporter, who checks in with the IAA Tow App. All fees must be paid before the driver can collect the car.
How do I ship a car from Copart?
Pay for the car, then either order delivery through Copart’s Payments Due page or book your own carrier and give the driver your member number and the lot number.
How much does it cost to ship a car from an auction?
The same as any car of that size over that distance, from about $400 to $700 under 500 miles to $1,000 to $1,700 for 2,000 miles and up on an open carrier. A non-running car costs more, and storage can add to the total if pickup is late.
Can you ship a non-running car from an auction?
Yes. Tell the carrier whether it starts, rolls, steers and brakes, so a truck with a winch is sent.
What information does the transport company need?
The auction and yard address, the lot or stock number, your member or buyer number, any gate pass or release, the yard’s hours and the car’s condition.
What happens if I do not pick up my auction car in time?
Daily storage fees start. At IAA, a car paid for but not collected within 30 days can also be charged a cancellation fee.
Is my auction car insured during shipping?
The carrier’s cargo insurance covers damage the carrier causes during transport. It does not cover damage that was already there, which is why the pickup inspection and photos matter.
Ship Your Auction Car With ABC Auto Shipping
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that arranges pickup from Copart, IAA, dealer auctions and private sellers. Book the day you win: we start matching your car with a carrier the next business day, and if it does not run, we match it with a carrier that has a winch. There is no deposit, and you pay only once your carrier is secured. Get a free quote today.
