Alabama auctions

Alabama's state surplus program, run by ADECA in Montgomery, holds periodic public auctions with listings on GovDeals. Birmingham and Huntsville each have IAA and Copart yards and local auction companies that run estate, vehicle and equipment sales across north and central Alabama. Start with the statewide sources below, then open a city page for verified local links.

City guides

Statewide sources

Government surplus

• ADECA Surplus Property Division: Alabama's state surplus program. Public auctions are posted with dates and pickup details in Montgomery.
• GovDeals: Alabama listings: Every Alabama agency selling on GovDeals in one search, filterable by city and seller.

Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals

Estate sales and local auction houses

• AuctionZip: Alabama auctions: Statewide calendar of auctioneers' upcoming estate, farm, equipment and consignment sales in Alabama.

Related: Estate sales and local auction houses in our directory · How to Price and Resell on eBay

Alabama rules worth knowing

General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.

• Sales tax and reselling. Alabama's state sales tax is 4%, but local taxes push combined rates higher in most cities. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Alabama Department of Revenue. Licensed retailers can generally buy inventory for resale without paying sales tax if they provide the documentation the seller requires. Government auctions may still charge tax unless you provide the paperwork they ask for.
• Vehicles: titles and taxes. Make sure you get a properly assigned title (or the documents the auction specifies). Sales tax on vehicles is collected by your county licensing official when you title and register. See ALDOR motor vehicle. Title and register through the state motor vehicle agency. Salvage-branded vehicles need extra steps before they can be driven on the road again.
• Storage auctions. Facilities must follow the state's notice and advertising rules before a lien sale, and tenants can often pay and pull a unit right up to the sale.
• Buying across state lines. The selling state's tax and pickup rules usually apply at the time of sale.

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Frequently asked questions

How does Alabama sell state surplus?

ADECA's Surplus Property Division holds periodic public auctions, with listings on GovDeals and pickup in Montgomery. Items are sold as is.

Where do I pay tax on an auction car in Alabama?

With your county licensing official when you title and register the vehicle.

Where are salvage auctions in Alabama?

IAA has branches near Birmingham (Bessemer) and Huntsville (Athens), and Copart has yards near both cities.

All locations →