FlipTampa is headquarters for Tampa Machinery Auction, which sells State of Florida surplus vehicles and equipment, so Tampa Bay buyers get first look at state fleet inventory. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office also sells surplus, seized and unclaimed property through public auctions, and the Bay area has strong fine-art and estate auction houses.
Every link below was checked in October 2026. FlipTheBid is not affiliated with these agencies or companies. Listings change, so confirm terms on each site.
Where to buy at auction in Tampa
Government surplus
- Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office: public auctions: Official HCSO page listing auctions of surplus, seized and unclaimed property and the companies that run them.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- Tampa Machinery Auction: Sells State of Florida surplus vehicles and equipment to the public.
- IAA Tampa branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 1208 17th St. East, Palmetto. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Tampa (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in the Tampa area. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
Related: Vehicle and salvage auctions in our directory · How to Buy Cars at Public and Salvage Auctions
Storage unit auctions
- StorageTreasures: Tampa storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Tampa. Save a search to get alerts on new units.
Related: Storage unit auctions in our directory · How Storage Unit Auctions Work
Estate sales and local auction houses
- Wilson's Fine Art: Tampa Bay auction house (St. Petersburg) offering estate services and auctions.
- EstateSales.net: Tampa estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Tampa area, with photos, addresses and the company running each sale.
Related: Estate sales and local auction houses in our directory · How to Price and Resell on eBay
Florida rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. Florida's state sales tax is 6%, plus a county discretionary surtax in most counties. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue. Registered dealers get an Annual Resale Certificate they can give to qualifying sellers. 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 when you title and register through your county tax collector. 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.
More statewide sources are on our Florida auctions page.
Haul it, store it, ship it
Some of these are affiliate links; see our disclosure.
- Pirate Ship: Free shipping-label software with discounted USPS and UPS rates. No subscription.
- uShip: Marketplace for shipping furniture, equipment and vehicles.
- Montway Auto Transport: Door-to-door car shipping quotes.
- Neighbor: Rent garages and spare space from locals, often cheaper than a storage unit. You can also list your own space.
- SpareFoot: Compare and reserve self-storage units near you.
Frequently asked questions
- Where are Florida state surplus vehicles sold?
- Mostly through Tampa Machinery Auction and Public Surplus.
- Does the Hillsborough County Sheriff hold auctions?
- Yes. HCSO's public auctions page explains how it sells surplus, seized and unclaimed property and which auction companies it uses.
- Is there an IAA near Tampa?
- IAA's Tampa branch is in Palmetto, and Copart has a Tampa-area yard.
Other Florida cities
Miami · Orlando · Jacksonville