Quick Answer
To ship a car from Copart, complete your auction payment and confirm that the vehicle is ready for pickup. Next, book a car shipping service with Ship A1 Auto Transport and authorize the assigned carrier through your Copart account so the driver can access the necessary pickup details. Once authorized, the carrier will collect the vehicle from the auction yard and deliver it to your chosen address. You won a car at Copart. Now you need to get it home, to your repair shop, or to your dealership. If the auction is several states away, arranging pickup may be easier than traveling there yourself.
There are a few things to handle first. Copart has payment and pickup deadlines, and some auction cars need extra care when loading. This guide walks you through the process, from checking your purchase to receiving the car.
What Is Copart and How Does It Work?
Copart is an online auction marketplace where people and businesses buy used, damaged, salvage-title, and clean-title cars. Buyers can search listings, review available car details, bid in auctions, and pay for purchases through their accounts. Some lots are open to individual buyers, while others have licensing requirements.
Once you buy a car, you need to arrange its removal from the auction location. Copart offers delivery on eligible purchases, and buyers can also use an independent transport company. If you want help with the broader process, see Ship A1's auto auction vehicle transport guide.
How to Ship a Car from Copart Step by Step
Step 1. Complete Your Copart Payment
Start by checking the Payments Due section in your Copart account. Pay the winning bid and applicable auction charges, and make sure the car is eligible for release before sending a driver.
Do not assume the vehicle can be collected the moment the auction ends. Payment processing, seller approval when required, or another release hold may affect the pickup date. Keep your invoice and confirm the car's current status.
Step 2. Check the Car's Condition and Pickup Location
Open the lot details and write down the exact Copart yard address, lot number, vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, and model.
Look closely at the condition information. Does the car start? Can its wheels roll? Does it steer and brake? Are the keys available? If the listing shows collision damage, save the photos and tell the transport company what you know.
Remember that Run and Drive does not guarantee the car will run at pickup. Copart uses that label for a car that met certain movement checks earlier in the process. Its condition may have changed since then.
Step 3. Choose an Auto Transport Company
Compare the available delivery options and ask for a quote based on the actual auction location, destination, car size, and condition. When choosing an auction car shipping service, ask about pickup timing and special loading needs.
Ship A1 Auto Transport helps customers arrange Copart car shipping through assigned carriers. The carrier physically picks up, loads, transports, and delivers the car. Ship A1 is not Copart, and choosing Ship A1 does not replace Copart's payment or release requirements.
Ask whether the quoted service can handle your car's condition. A standard open trailer may work for a car that rolls and steers, while a badly damaged car may need more specialized equipment.
Step 4. Authorize Your Transporter Through Copart
Copart has a process for assigning a third-party transporter. After your purchase is ready, select the car in Payments Due and choose Send to Transporter. Follow the prompts to provide the transporter's email address.
Copart sends pickup information, including a gate PIN and instructions for the Copart Transportation App. The transporter uses those details to arrange the appointment and check in. Follow Copart's current pickup instructions because the steps may change.
Step 5. Schedule Pickup From the Copart Yard
The carrier coordinates a pickup during the yard's available hours. Copart staff may move the car to a loading area, but loading arrangements depend on the lot and facility. Heavy or unusual cars can have different requirements.
Copart does not allow customers to simply drive a purchased car off the property. Plan for proper truck or trailer transport, even if the car starts.
If the scheduled pickup changes, check whether any storage charges will apply. Auction fees and carrier transportation charges are separate.
Step 6. Receive and Inspect Your Car at Delivery
At pickup, the driver should record the car's visible condition on a Bill of Lading (BOL), the document used to record the shipment and its condition. Photos can help, especially when the car already has damage.
At delivery, inspect the car before signing the final paperwork. Compare its condition with the available pickup record and note any new concerns. The assigned carrier has primary responsibility for transport insurance, subject to its policy terms, limits, and claim procedures.
What Information Do You Need to Ship a Car from Copart?
Have these details ready when requesting transportation:
| Information | Why the Carrier Needs It |
|---|---|
| Copart lot number and yard address | To locate the correct car |
| Buyer details and release status | To complete authorized pickup |
| Year, make, model, and VIN | To identify the car and plan trailer space |
| Running and rolling condition | To choose suitable loading equipment |
| Delivery address and contact | To arrange the destination handoff |
| Pickup deadline | To plan around yard storage charges |
You can request an initial quote before every document is ready, but the carrier needs correct release details before arriving at Copart.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from Copart?
The price depends on where the car is, how far it must travel, its size, and the equipment needed to move it. Carrier availability and pickup timing also affect the quote.
For an everyday car, open transport is often the lower-cost option. Enclosed transport usually costs more and may be worth comparing for a classic or high-value car. Neither option is automatically available for every damaged auction purchase.
Consider the full cost after winning a bid:
- Copart charges: Buyer, bidding, gate, or other applicable auction fees.
- Storage charges: Possible daily fees if pickup is delayed.
- Shipping charge: The agreed price for the assigned carrier's transportation.
- Special handling: Possible additional cost for a car that cannot be loaded normally.
These are different expenses. There is no single accurate shipping price for every Copart car. Get a quote for your particular route and car condition.
Can You Ship a Damaged or Non-Running Car from Copart?
Yes, many damaged auction cars can be shipped, but some require equipment that a standard carrier may not have. Salvage car shipping is especially dependent on the car's ability to roll and steer.
For example, a car that does not start but still rolls and steers may be loaded with a winch. Locked wheels, missing wheels, damaged suspension, or loose parts can make pickup more difficult. Tell the transport company about these problems before booking and share photos when available.
Under Ship A1's supplied Terms and Conditions, a $150 non-operable car fee is assessed at delivery if a car is inoperative at pickup or becomes inoperative during transport. Confirm the current booking terms and total charges for your shipment.
Copart Pickup Deadlines and Storage Fees
Timing matters because Copart's payment deadline and storage deadline are not necessarily the same thing.
Copart's U.S. payment guidance generally calls for payment within three business days, including the sale day, and lists a late-payment fee when that deadline is missed. Its pickup guidance describes a short complimentary storage period before daily storage charges begin. Exact storage rates can vary by location.
Check the specific yard's current deadline as soon as you win. If payment is still processing or pickup cannot be scheduled, ask Copart what applies to your lot. Booking early can help reduce the risk of extra charges, but pickup and delivery dates remain estimates.
Copart Gate PIN, Transporter Authorization, and Pickup Rules
Your transporter needs authorization to collect the car. Copart's current process sends the assigned transporter a gate PIN and lot details, along with instructions for the Transportation App and appointment check-in.
You do not need to share your Copart account password with a driver. Use the official assignment process instead. Confirm the driver's pickup details and the correct lot before the truck visits the yard.
Pickup hours and loading procedures can differ among Copart locations. The driver should follow that facility's directions and use equipment suitable for the car.
What Happens to the Car Title After Copart Shipping?
The car and its title are handled separately. Receiving the car does not automatically mean the ownership paperwork will arrive with it.
Copart offers title mailing and, in eligible cases, title pickup. A Limited Power of Attorney may be required to have a title mailed or released to an authorized third party. Some states require notarization. Check the title status and follow Copart's title instructions before expecting the carrier to collect any paperwork.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping a Car from Copart
- Waiting too long to book: Storage charges may start while the car is still at the yard.
- Giving the wrong pickup location: Confirm the actual yard address, including offsite locations.
- Skipping transporter authorization: A driver may be unable to collect the car without the required details.
- Calling a damaged car fully running: Incorrect condition information can lead to unsuitable loading equipment.
- Ignoring the inspection: Save auction photos and review the pickup and delivery paperwork.
Copart Car Shipping FAQs
Q1: Can I hire my own transport company to pick up a car from Copart?
Copart allows buyers to assign third-party transporters through their accounts. The transporter must follow the applicable authorization, appointment, and pickup rules.
Q2: How soon can a car be picked up from Copart?
Pickup depends on payment, release status, yard hours, and carrier availability. Check your lot's current status and storage deadline before scheduling.
Q3: Can I ship a non-running car from Copart?
Often, yes. Tell the transport company whether the car rolls, steers, and brakes. A suitable carrier may need a winch or other loading equipment, and additional charges may apply.
Q4: Do I need to be present when the carrier picks up my car?
Usually not if you have properly authorized the transporter. Arrange for yourself or another responsible person to receive and inspect the car at delivery.
Q5: Can I ship a Copart car to another state?
Yes, when the car is eligible for release and a suitable carrier is available. For longer trips, review Ship A1's guide to shipping a car across the country .
Q6: Does Copart help load cars onto transport trailers?
Copart may bring purchased cars to a loading area and assist with loading, but the arrangements depend on the facility and type of lot. Confirm the requirements before sending a truck, especially for heavy or severely damaged cars.
Get a Copart Car Shipping Quote With Ship A1 Auto Transport
If you have purchased a car from Copart, Ship A1 Auto Transport can help arrange shipping through an assigned carrier. Share your lot number, pickup yard, delivery ZIP code, and car condition to get started.
