A Copart or IAAI win is the start of a clock, not the end. Storage fees begin immediately. Title can take two to four weeks. Drivers want clean releases. The cheapest car at the auction can become the most expensive shipment if any of those clocks slip.
The auction-to-vessel timeline
Four overlapping clocks run from auction day onward. The car has to be paid for, picked up, titled, and ocean-booked — usually in that order, but with overlap so storage doesn't burn money.
- 01
Auction day
Pay and receive a gate pass
Pay within Copart's or IAAI's deadline (typically 2 business days). Storage fees start day 3. Get the digital gate pass into our portal so we can dispatch a driver.
- 02
Days 1-7
Driver dispatch
We send a flatbed (running) or tow (non-running). Driver presents the gate pass, pays any auction fees, hauls to a staging yard or direct to the loading port.
- 03
Days 7-28
Title release
Auction releases the title to the buyer (or to us as your agent). This is the variable. Salvage titles take longer than clean. State of issue matters.
- 04
Days 14-35
Port arrival, AES, sailing
Once the title is in hand, AES is filed, dock receipt issued, and the vessel scheduled. We hold the car at the staging yard if title is delayed — never burning auction storage.
Storage fee math - why timing matters
Copart and IAAI charge storage by the day after the grace window. Per-day fees climb fast on higher-value lots — a car sitting 30 days quietly stacks four figures of pure storage on top of the purchase price.
Our standard play: pick up within 5 days, stage at our yard or a partner yard near the loading port, then wait for the title release without burning auction storage.
Title release - the realities
Clean title cars
Title typically released in 7-14 days. Mailed paper title or electronic title (eTitle) depending on state.
Salvage / rebuilt cars
Title can take 14-30 days. Some states (CA, NY, NJ, FL) take longer. Some lots are sold without title - verify before bidding.
If the title is mailed, the auction sends it to the buyer's address. If you bid through a broker, the broker holds the title. Tell us at booking who is receiving the title - we cannot ship without it in hand.
Power of attorney - should you give us one?
If you are bidding through a US broker, the broker typically holds title and POA. If you are bidding directly (Copart Direct or IAAI registered international buyer), you may want to assign POA to Icon so we can act on your behalf at the loading port. We provide the form. It is revocable any time.
Vehicle types at auction - what ships well
Sedans, SUVs, pickups
By far the most common. RoRo is almost always cheapest. Salvage status does not change shipping logistics, just title timing.
Total-loss / non-running
Loaded on a low-pro mafi trailer at the port. Add ~$150-$250 for mafi handling. Verify the car can be pushed/winched onto the mafi.
Heavy-damage shells
Cars stripped or with no doors/wheels. Sometimes ship cheaper as scrap or in a container, not RoRo. We assess case by case.
Trucks and box trucks
RoRo by linear meter - pricier per unit but doable. F-150s and similar fit standard RoRo.
Motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis
Container or pallet groupage usually beats RoRo. Bundle with other small items in an LCL.
Coordination tips that save real money
Stack your wins. If you buy three cars in the same week from the same auction, we can pick them up on one truck or rail move. Single-car drayage is the most expensive per-car you'll pay.
Match the loading port to the cargo origin. Copart Phoenix to Newark is $1,200+ in trucking. Copart Phoenix to Galveston is closer and may save $400-$700 on the same RoRo lane to Lagos.
Book the ocean leg early. RoRo vessel slots fill in peak season. We can hold a slot tentatively and confirm once the title arrives.
Auction shipper?
Send us the lot link or auction receipt. We'll quote pickup, drayage, ocean, and destination clearance in one combined number.