Ritchie Bros Auction Buyer Shipping Guide: Transport After You Win the Bid

After the Hammer Falls: What Happens Next

Once your Ritchie Bros bid is accepted and your invoice is paid in full, you'll receive a confirmation that allows you to initiate the collection process. Before scheduling transport, you need:

• Paid invoice confirmation: The auction yard will not release equipment without proof of full payment
• Bill of Lading (BOL): Your carrier will need this document to take possession of the equipment
• Export paperwork (if applicable): International buyers need export documentation before the equipment can leave the yard
• Load-out appointment: Ritchie Bros yards have specific load-out hours and may require advance scheduling, especially for large or complex equipment

Understanding Ritchie Bros Yard Load-Out Procedures

Each Ritchie Bros yard has its own load-out procedures. Key points:

• Load-out hours are typically posted on the specific auction site page — confirm before scheduling your carrier
• Large yards (Grand Prairie TX, Denver CO, Orlando FL, etc.) handle hundreds of pickups per day and may have queuing systems
• Equipment is typically staged in the yard in the order it was sold — your carrier needs the lot number to locate the machine
• Some yards have on-site loading equipment (forklifts, cranes) for non-running units; others require you to arrange your own
• Yards typically allow 10–14 days for pickup after the auction closes — check your specific auction's terms to avoid storage fees

Choosing the Right Trailer for Your Auction Purchase

The trailer type depends on what you bought:

• Tracked excavators, bulldozers, motor graders: RGN (Removable Gooseneck) or lowboy. Drive-on loading via the RGN gooseneck is standard for running machines.
• Skid steers, compact track loaders, mini excavators: Step deck or flatbed. Often legal-load, no permits required.
• Telehandlers, forklifts: Step deck. Check height — some tall telehandlers require a lowboy.
• Dump trucks, water trucks: Lowboy or step deck depending on weight and height.
• Cranes: Multi-axle RGN for the carrier; flatbeds for boom sections and counterweights. Multiple loads required.
• Generators: Flatbed or lowboy depending on weight. Large generators over 80,000 lbs require overweight permits.

Why IronHaul Beats the Auction's Default Shipping Options

Ritchie Bros integrates with VeriTread and other load board platforms for shipping quotes. Here's why working directly with IronHaul is often a better choice:

• No load board markup: Load boards add a layer of fees between you and the carrier. IronHaul quotes directly, with no hidden platform fees.
• Permit expertise: IronHaul handles oversize and overweight permits in all 50 states. Load board carriers sometimes lack permits for specific states, causing delays at weigh stations.
• Non-running equipment experience: IronHaul coordinates crane-assisted loading for non-running units — a common situation with auction purchases.
• Port delivery capability: If you're an exporter, IronHaul delivers directly to port terminals with proper documentation.
• Dedicated account management: Frequent auction buyers get a dedicated contact at IronHaul, not a different dispatcher every time.

Permit and Regulatory Considerations

Most heavy equipment purchased at auction requires oversize or overweight permits for transport:

• Federal thresholds: 80,000 lbs GVW, 8.5 ft wide, 13.5 ft tall, 53 ft long
• Permits required in every state on the route — a Texas-to-Ohio move may need permits in TX, OK or AR, MO, and OH
• Permit processing time: 1–4 business days for standard loads; 5–10 days for superloads
• IronHaul handles all permit procurement as part of the move — no separate permit broker needed

International Buyers: Export Logistics After Ritchie Bros

International buyers purchasing at Ritchie Bros need to coordinate inland transport to a US export port. IronHaul delivers to all major export ports:

• Port of Houston (TX) — primary hub for Latin America and West Africa
• Port of Savannah (GA) — strong for Europe and West Africa
• Port of Baltimore (MD) — Mid-Atlantic; strong RoRo capacity
• Port of Newark (NJ) — Northeast; major container and RoRo terminal
• Port of Long Beach (CA) — West Coast; Asia and Pacific

Ready to move your Ritchie Bros purchase? Contact IronHaul Logistics for a free quote. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or use our online quote form. We handle permits, escorts, and port delivery so you can focus on your next bid.