FlipPennsylvania sells state surplus online through GovDeals and auctions used Commonwealth fleet vehicles at a public auto auction in Grantville, open to the general public. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each have their own surplus channels plus multiple IAA and Copart yards. Start with the statewide sources below, then open a city page for verified local links.
City guides
Philadelphia and the surrounding counties: 9 verified local sourcesPittsburgh
Allegheny County: 8 verified local sources
Statewide sources
Government surplus
- PA DGS: purchase state surplus property online: Official page. Pennsylvania state surplus (furniture, equipment, supplies) is sold to the public exclusively on GovDeals.
- GovDeals: Pennsylvania listings: Every Pennsylvania 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
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- PA DGS: Commonwealth used fleet vehicle auctions: Public auctions of state fleet vehicles at Manheim Keystone in Grantville. Open to the public; register on the Saturday-Monday before the sale.
Related: Vehicle and salvage auctions in our directory · How to Buy Cars at Public and Salvage Auctions
Estate sales and local auction houses
- AuctionZip: Pennsylvania auctions: Statewide calendar of auctioneers' upcoming estate, farm, equipment and consignment sales in Pennsylvania.
Related: Estate sales and local auction houses in our directory · How to Price and Resell on eBay
Pennsylvania rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. Pennsylvania's sales tax is 6%, with an extra 1% in Allegheny County and 2% in Philadelphia. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Licensed sellers can give qualifying sellers a PA exemption certificate (REV-1220) for items bought for resale. 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 generally paid when the vehicle is titled through PennDOT. 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
- Can the public buy Pennsylvania state fleet vehicles?
- Yes. DGS holds public auctions of Commonwealth fleet vehicles at Manheim Keystone in Grantville. You must register on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday before the sale.
- Where is PA state surplus sold?
- Exclusively online through GovDeals.
- What is the sales tax in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh?
- 8% in Philadelphia and 7% in Allegheny County, versus 6% elsewhere in PA.