How to Ship Equipment You Bought at an IronPlanet Auction
Winning a bid on IronPlanet is the easy part — arranging transport for your new equipment is where many buyers get tripped up. IronPlanet does not provide transportation; that's entirely the buyer's responsibility. And with an 8-business-day pickup deadline before storage fees kick in, you need to move fast. Here's a practical guide to getting your IronPlanet purchase picked up and delivered without stress.
Step 1: Get Your Item Release Form
Once your payment is fully processed, IronPlanet will make an Item Release Form available in your account. This document is your authorization to pick up the equipment — no carrier can access the equipment without it. Download it immediately after payment clears and send it to your transport provider.
If the item is marked as having "IronPlanet Pickup Support," contact IronPlanet Customer Care at 1-888-513-8895 to verify the site address and schedule a pickup window. For other items, the seller's contact information may be released to you directly for scheduling.
Step 2: Know Your Pickup Deadline
IronPlanet requires buyers to remove equipment from the seller's location within 8 business days of the auction. Missing this deadline allows the seller to charge storage fees. Equipment left for 60 days may be declared abandoned. Book your transport immediately after winning — don't wait until the deadline is approaching.
Step 3: Get the Equipment's Dimensions and Weight
Before calling a carrier, gather the equipment's specifications:
- Operating weight (listed in the IronPlanet lot details or manufacturer specs)
- Overall length, width, and height (with any attachments or booms in transport position)
- Whether it's running/drivable (critical for trailer selection and loading)
- Pickup location address (exact address, not just city)
- Delivery address (including any site access restrictions)
This information determines what trailer is needed, whether oversize permits are required, and what the transport will cost. Providing accurate specs upfront gets you a faster, more accurate quote.
Step 4: Choose the Right Trailer Type
The trailer type depends on your equipment's weight and dimensions:
- Flatbed: For compact equipment under 48,000 lbs and within legal height/width limits (compact track loaders, small forklifts, attachments)
- Step Deck: For taller equipment that needs extra height clearance (telehandlers, motor graders, large forklifts)
- RGN / Lowboy: For heavy excavators, cranes, large dozers, and any machine over 13.5 ft tall or 80,000 lbs
Step 5: Understand Permit Requirements
If your equipment exceeds federal thresholds, oversize/overweight permits are required in every state on the route:
- GVW over 80,000 lbs → overweight permit
- Width over 8 feet 6 inches → wide-load permit
- Height over 13 feet 6 inches → height permit
A reputable heavy-haul carrier handles permit coordination as part of the service. Ask your carrier to confirm they handle permits — don't assume.
Step 6: Handle Non-Running Equipment
If your IronPlanet purchase is non-running or inoperable, you need to arrange loading equipment at the pickup site:
- A crane or heavy forklift is required to load non-running equipment onto the trailer
- IronPlanet sellers are not required to provide loading assistance — confirm availability in advance
- If the seller cannot provide loading equipment, your carrier may be able to arrange it (at additional cost)
- Confirm the pickup site has firm, level ground capable of supporting the trailer and loading equipment
Step 7: Prepare for International Export (If Applicable)
If you're exporting your IronPlanet purchase overseas:
- Declare your U.S. port of export during the IronPlanet checkout process
- Provide a domestic Bill of Lading (showing pickup location) and valid export documentation to IronPlanet within 5 business days of delivery for sales tax exemption
- For titled vehicles, notify IronPlanet's title department in advance to ensure paperwork is ready before pickup
- Work with a licensed customs broker for export documentation and AES filing
Get a Quote for Your IronPlanet Purchase
IronHaul Logistics specializes in auction equipment transport, including IronPlanet pickups nationwide. We move fast, handle permits, and coordinate loading logistics so you meet your pickup deadline without stress. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit a quote request online — have your equipment specs and pickup location ready for the fastest response.
Common questions
How long do I have to pick up equipment from an IronPlanet auction?
IronPlanet requires buyers to remove equipment within 8 business days of the auction. After that, the seller can charge storage fees. Equipment left for 60 days may be declared abandoned.
Does IronPlanet arrange transportation for buyers?
No. IronPlanet does not provide transportation — it is entirely the buyer's responsibility. IronPlanet does offer access to VeriTread for non-binding quotes, but buyers must arrange their own carrier.
What is an Item Release Form and why do I need it?
The Item Release Form is IronPlanet's authorization document that allows your carrier to pick up the equipment. It becomes available in your account after payment is processed. Your carrier cannot access the equipment without it.
What if my IronPlanet purchase is non-running?
Non-running equipment requires crane or heavy forklift loading at the pickup site. IronPlanet sellers are not required to provide loading assistance, so confirm availability in advance. IronHaul can help coordinate loading equipment if needed.
Can IronHaul pick up from any IronPlanet seller location in the U.S.?
Yes. IronHaul has a nationwide carrier network and can coordinate pickups from IronPlanet seller locations across the country. Provide the pickup address and equipment specs for a fast quote.
Ready to move a machine?
Tell us what you're shipping and where. We quote direct — no bidding wars, no load-board runaround.