IronPlanet Equipment Buyer's Shipping Guide: Transport After the Auction

The 8-Business-Day Pickup Window: Your Most Important Deadline

After your IronPlanet auction closes and payment is confirmed, the clock starts ticking. IronPlanet requires all equipment to be removed from the seller's premises within 8 business days of the auction close date. Miss this window and you may face:

• Storage fees: Sellers can charge daily storage fees after the 8-business-day window expires. These fees vary by seller but can range from $25 to $150+ per day depending on the equipment size and location.
• Abandonment risk: Equipment not picked up within 60 days may be deemed abandoned. IronPlanet can dispose of the equipment and deduct associated costs and commissions from any proceeds — meaning you could lose both the equipment and your purchase price.
• Relationship damage: Sellers who experience repeated late pickups may flag buyers in the system, affecting future auction access.

Best practice: Book your carrier before the auction closes, not after. If you are actively bidding on a piece of equipment, have a transport quote in hand so you can dispatch immediately upon winning.

The Item Release Form: Your Authorization to Pick Up

After full payment is confirmed, IronPlanet sends an Item Release Form to your account. This form contains:

• The seller's contact information or IronPlanet's contact information for scheduling pickup
• The equipment's location (yard address, GPS coordinates for remote sites)
• Any special pickup instructions from the seller
• Documentation requirements for the carrier

Your carrier will need a copy of the Item Release Form to take possession of the equipment. Make sure your transport provider has this document before they arrive at the pickup location — sellers will not release equipment without it.

Loading Responsibility: What IronPlanet Does and Doesn't Cover

This is where many first-time IronPlanet buyers get surprised. IronPlanet's terms are clear: sellers are not required to assist in loading equipment. Specifically:

• Sellers are not obligated to load equipment onto your carrier's trailer
• Sellers are not required to dismantle equipment for transport
• Any loading assistance from the seller must be negotiated directly and may involve additional fees

This means your carrier needs to be equipped to load the equipment independently. For tracked equipment (excavators, dozers, CTLs), this typically means the machine must be operational and able to drive onto an RGN trailer under its own power. If the machine is non-operational, your carrier needs to bring a crane or loading equipment — or you need to arrange a separate loading crew at the pickup site.

Always confirm the machine's operational status before booking transport. A non-running excavator requires a very different (and more expensive) transport setup than a running one.

Choosing the Right Carrier for Your IronPlanet Purchase

IronPlanet integrates with VeriTread and Ritchie Bros. Logistics for transportation quotes during checkout. However, you are not required to use these services — you can book any licensed carrier. When evaluating carriers for your IronPlanet purchase, consider:

• Experience with auction pickups: Carriers who regularly handle auction pickups understand the Item Release Form process, seller communication protocols, and the importance of the 8-day pickup window.
• Trailer availability: Confirm the carrier has the right trailer for your equipment (flatbed, step-deck, lowboy, or RGN) and that it is available within your pickup window.
• Permit capability: If your equipment requires oversize permits, confirm the carrier handles permit applications — not all carriers do.
• Insurance: Verify the carrier's cargo insurance coverage. IronPlanet's Ironclad Assurance program covers equipment condition at the time of sale, but transit damage is the carrier's responsibility.

Tax Documentation: Avoiding Sales Tax on Out-of-State Purchases

IronPlanet collects sales tax in many states. If you are purchasing equipment for resale or moving it out of state, you may be eligible for a tax exemption — but you need the right documentation:

• Resale certificate: If you are a dealer purchasing for resale, provide a valid resale certificate for the state where the equipment is located.
• Bill of Lading: If you are moving the equipment to another state, a Bill of Lading confirming interstate transport can support a sales tax exemption claim.
• Export documentation: For international exports, submit final domestic Bills of Lading and export documentation (port of export, final destination) within 5–10 days of delivery, depending on state regulations.

International Buyers: Additional Logistics Steps

If you are purchasing equipment on IronPlanet for export, additional steps are required:

• Arrange a freight forwarder or customs broker (IronPlanet customer support can provide a list)
• Coordinate transport from the pickup location to the export port (Houston, Savannah, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Long Beach, New Orleans, Jacksonville, or Newark are the most common US export ports for heavy equipment)
• Ensure all export documentation is filed within IronPlanet's deadlines to avoid tax complications
• Confirm container or RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping arrangements with your freight forwarder before the equipment arrives at the port

How IronHaul Logistics Handles IronPlanet Pickups

IronHaul Logistics regularly handles equipment pickups from IronPlanet auction sites across the United States. Our process:

1. You provide the Item Release Form and pickup location
2. We confirm the equipment's operational status and dimensions
3. We dispatch the appropriate trailer (flatbed, step-deck, lowboy, or RGN)
4. We handle any required oversize permits for the route
5. We coordinate pickup scheduling with the seller within your 8-day window
6. We deliver to your specified destination with proof of delivery documentation

Won something on IronPlanet and need it moved fast? Call IronHaul Logistics at (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or use our online quote form. We move quickly — because your 8-day window doesn't wait.