---
title: "GovDeals buyer's premium: how much, who sets it"
description: "GovDeals' premium is set per agency, up to 12.5% in a 2022 state contract (8% on New York's vehicle sales). Totals on $50, $200, $1,000 wins, tax, pickup."
canonical: https://resellerindex.com/sourcing/govdeals-buyer-premium/
last_updated: 2026-10-23
publisher: "The Reseller Index"
---

# GovDeals buyer's premium: how much it is and who sets it

GovDeals' buyer's premium is set agency by agency, up to the 12.5% ceiling in GovDeals' 2022 price schedule for Maine's statewide contract: $6.25 on a $50 win, $25 on $200 and $125 on $1,000. New York State's surplus vehicle and equipment auctions add 8%, and an agency can also pay part or all of GovDeals' fee itself or pass it on as an "administrative fee."

The listing's Bid Box shows what applies, and sales tax comes on top unless your exemption paperwork is accepted: at a 6% tax rate, a $200 win at 12.5% comes to $238.50 before you haul it away. Payment and removal deadlines are the agency's too: Oklahoma's current terms give 5 business days to pay and 5 to remove, then charge $10 a day storage; one Alabama county's 2018 terms allowed 10 business days and $25.00 a day after.

Rates verified on Oct 23, 2026

## GovDeals at a glance

- **Buyer's premium**
  Set per agency: 12.5% ceiling in a 2022 state contract; New York State's vehicle auctions add 8%
- **Payment**
  Set by each agency: 5 business days in Oklahoma (wire only from $5,000)
- **Pickup or removal**
  Set by each agency: 5 business days in Oklahoma, then $10 a day storage
- **Sales tax**
  Charged by the auction's location; file exemption forms before you pay
- **If you don't pay or pick up**
  Set by each agency: Oklahoma locks your account; unremoved items can be resold
- **What it sells**
  Surplus from state and local government agencies

**Where this comes from:** GovDeals' own pages returned an Access Denied page to our checker on Oct 19 and again on Oct 23, 2026, so nothing here comes from govdeals.com. The rates and terms come from government agencies' own pages and documents: the State of Oklahoma's current GovDeals terms (page last modified Jun 17, 2026), a 2022 State of Maine contract price schedule, a 2018 Alabama county agreement, New York State's surplus page and a 2016 Kentucky city information sheet. The listing's Bid Box shows what applies to it.

## GovDeals: what a $50, $200 and $1,000 win costs

Worked from the published rates linked in each row. Sales tax uses a 6% example rate (Kentucky's statewide rate, which has no local add-ons) on the bid and premium; with an accepted resale certificate it is zero, and some states also tax the fees and shipping.

*The listing's Bid Box can show a lower premium, an "administrative fee" instead, or none. Freight or your trip to collect it is on top, and so is storage if you are late. Sources are linked in each row label and listed at the end of the page. Shipping, freight or your trip to collect it is not included.*

| What you pay | $50 win | $200 win | $1,000 win |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Winning bid | $50.00 | $200.00 | $1,000.00 |
| [Buyer's premium at 12.5% (the ceiling in GovDeals' 2022 Maine price schedule)](https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementservices/files/inline-files/2022%20Price%20Schedule%201662487279_GovDeals%20-%20Price%20Catalog.pdf) | $6.25 | $25.00 | $125.00 |
| Bid + premium (what you pay with a resale certificate accepted) | $56.25 | $225.00 | $1,125.00 |
| Sales tax at the 6% example rate, on bid + premium | $3.38 | $13.50 | $67.50 |
| Total before shipping or pickup, taxed | $59.63 | $238.50 | $1,192.50 |
| [Taxed total at New York State's 8% (its vehicle and equipment auctions)](https://ogs.ny.gov/vehicle-and-equipment-auctions) | $57.24 | $228.96 | $1,144.80 |
| [Storage for each day past Oklahoma's 5 business days to remove](https://oklahoma.gov/omes/divisions/capital-assets-management/surplus/public-online-auction-information.html) | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| [Storage a day past 10 business days in Baldwin County's 2018 terms (may be charged)](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf) | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| [Paid how, in Oklahoma's terms](https://oklahoma.gov/omes/divisions/capital-assets-management/surplus/public-online-auction-information.html) | Card, debit or PayPal | Card, debit or PayPal | Card, debit or PayPal |

## The buyer's premium

- GovDeals' 2022 price schedule for Maine's statewide contract sets the ceiling: no seller fee and a 12.5% buyer's premium. ([Maine price schedule, Attachment C, A.5](https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementservices/files/inline-files/2022%20Price%20Schedule%201662487279_GovDeals%20-%20Price%20Catalog.pdf)) “Pricing: US- 0% Seller Fee with 12.5% Buyer's Premium”
- That is a ceiling, not a fixed rate: GovDeals can price lower case by case by asset type, value or sales volume. ([Maine price schedule, Attachment C, A.4](https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementservices/files/inline-files/2022%20Price%20Schedule%201662487279_GovDeals%20-%20Price%20Catalog.pdf)) “The pricing provided below is GovDeals' ceiling pricing.”
- The agency decides who pays GovDeals' fee. The schedule says most pass it to buyers as a buyer's premium; it can also be paid by the seller or split. ([Maine price schedule, Tier One table, item 1](https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementservices/files/inline-files/2022%20Price%20Schedule%201662487279_GovDeals%20-%20Price%20Catalog.pdf)) “Most often clients have buyers pay GovDeals' Fee as a Buyer's Premium”
- New York State's surplus program sells vehicles and highway equipment on GovDeals with an 8% premium, down from the 13% it added at live auctions. ([NY OGS auctions, About](https://ogs.ny.gov/vehicle-and-equipment-auctions)) “An 8 percent buyer premium will be added to the final auction price”
- A 2018 agreement with Baldwin County, Alabama, shows how the split works: the buyer's premium could be 0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% or 12.5%, with the county paying a seller fee of 7.5%, 7.5%, 5%, 2.5% or 0% (at least $5.00 when it pays one). ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit A, Flexible Pricing Options](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf))
- Under another option in that agreement the agency pays a 7.5% fee and passes it on, so the extra charge on your invoice may be called an administrative fee rather than a buyer's premium. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit A, Option A2](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf)) “pass the entire fee on to the winning bidder as an Administrative Fee”
- Whatever the Bid Box shows is added to the selling price, and taxes come on top of that. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit C, Buyer's Premium & Additional Fees](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf)) “will be added to the final selling price of all items in addition to any taxes imposed”
- Custom services (photos, listing, transport, storage) can carry an extra fee with a 20% ceiling that may be split between buyer and seller. Real estate fees are below 12.5%. ([Maine price schedule, Tier One table, 2b; A.6 and A.7](https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementservices/files/inline-files/2022%20Price%20Schedule%201662487279_GovDeals%20-%20Price%20Catalog.pdf)) “This additional fee may be split between buyer and seller.”

## Sales tax and tax-exempt buyers

- When an agency has GovDeals collect payment (Tier Two), GovDeals says it becomes the marketplace facilitator: it applies sales tax by asset type and location and handles exemption paperwork. ([Maine price schedule, Attachment C, Tier Two, item 3](https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementservices/files/inline-files/2022%20Price%20Schedule%201662487279_GovDeals%20-%20Price%20Catalog.pdf)) “we collect buyers' tax- exempt documents, apply these accordingly, and ensure these remain current”
- Oklahoma's surplus program, which sells on GovDeals, charges tax by where the auction says the item is. Buyers seeking an exemption must complete Liquidity Services' tax exemption forms through GovDeals, and Oklahoma recommends doing it before the auction closes or before paying. ([Oklahoma OMES auction terms, Sales tax](https://oklahoma.gov/omes/divisions/capital-assets-management/surplus/public-online-auction-information.html)) “When applicable, sales tax is calculated based upon the auction’s advertised location.”
- Agencies that collect their own payments handle tax themselves. Baldwin County's 2018 terms gave buyers 24 hours from the close to send tax-exempt documents, before paying. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit C, State/Local Sales and/or Use Tax](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf)) “Buyers must provide any applicable tax exempt documents to Seller within 24 hours of the auction closing and before payment is made.”
- Is the premium taxed? A 2016 GovDeals information sheet published by the City of Berea, Kentucky, says it usually is, at the rate for the asset's location. Your state's rules decide. ([Berea GovDeals sheet, Fees](https://www.cityofberea.org/DocumentCenter/View/197)) “In most cases, the buyer's premium is considered a taxable amount”
- GovDeals' 2022 schedule also says most states now require tax on internet purchases, including government surplus, and some extend it to vehicles. ([Maine price schedule, Tier Two, item 3](https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementservices/files/inline-files/2022%20Price%20Schedule%201662487279_GovDeals%20-%20Price%20Catalog.pdf)) “The majority of states now require applicable tax collection on internet purchases, to include the purchase of government-owned surplus assets.”

## Payment and removal: two agencies’ terms

- Each agency sets its own terms; in Baldwin County's 2018 terms, the instructions on the asset page override the general ones. Below are two agencies' terms: Oklahoma's current ones and Baldwin County's from 2018. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit C, Acceptance of Terms](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf)) “Specific Instructions (Payment, Removal, and Special) appearing on the asset page will override certain sections of these Terms and Conditions.”
- Oklahoma (current terms): payment within five business days of the close, and any invoice of $5,000 or more by wire. Depending on your GovDeals history, the number of auctions you can join and the amount you can pay by card or PayPal can be limited. ([Oklahoma OMES auction terms, Payment](https://oklahoma.gov/omes/divisions/capital-assets-management/surplus/public-online-auction-information.html)) “Payment is due within five business days of auction closure.”
- Oklahoma: no shipping, pickup by appointment made at least 24 hours ahead, removal within five business days of the Buyer's Certificate, and $10 a day storage after that, paid when you collect. You pack, load and haul, and must take everything on a pallet. ([Oklahoma OMES auction terms, Pickup and removal](https://oklahoma.gov/omes/divisions/capital-assets-management/surplus/public-online-auction-information.html)) “Items not acquired within five business days will be subject to a storage fee of $10 per day”
- Oklahoma: default on its terms and your account with Liquidity Services is locked; leave part of a pallet and you are barred from buying from the State of Oklahoma on GovDeals. ([Oklahoma OMES auction terms, Default; Pickup and removal](https://oklahoma.gov/omes/divisions/capital-assets-management/surplus/public-online-auction-information.html)) “Everything on the pallet must be taken or you will be barred from purchasing from the State of Oklahoma via GovDeals.”
- Baldwin County, Alabama (2018 terms): payment in full within 5 business days of the close. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit C, Payment](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf)) “Payment in full is due not later than 5 business days from the time and date of the close of the auction.”
- When GovDeals collects payment, it took PayPal, card or wire under that agreement, and the agency releases the item only after GovDeals confirms you paid. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit B, Financial Settlement Services](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf))
- Baldwin County: removal within 10 business days. You pack, load and haul, and a $25.00 daily storage fee may be charged after that. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit C, Removal](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf)) “A daily storage fee of $25.00 may be charged for any item not removed within the ten (10) business days allowed”
- Default (late payment or removal) can mean suspension from future sales, and the agency can reclaim and resell what you left. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit C, Default](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf))
- Once it leaves the agency's premises, it's final: any claim that an item doesn't match its description has to be made before removal. ([Baldwin County agreement, Exhibit B, Bill of Sale; Exhibit C, Description Warranty](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf)) “Once the asset is removed from the seller's premises there is no refund of monies previously paid”

## What to do

1. Open the listing's Bid Box: it shows the buyer's premium or administrative fee and any additional fees added to your bid.
2. Read the payment and removal instructions on the asset page; they override the agency's general terms.
3. Buying for resale? File your exemption paperwork early: Oklahoma requires Liquidity Services' tax exemption forms through GovDeals and recommends completing them before the auction closes or before paying.
4. Work out your maximum bid with the premium, tax and your trip or freight added; the landed-cost calculator works it backwards from a budget.
5. Inspect before you bid if the listing allows it: in the county terms we read, a claim that an item is misdescribed has to be made before you remove it.

Price the whole lot before you bid with the [landed cost per item calculator](https://resellerindex.com/sourcing/landed-cost-per-item/).

## Questions

### How much is the GovDeals buyer's premium?

Up to 12.5% of the winning bid, the ceiling in GovDeals' 2022 price schedule for Maine's contract. Agencies can choose less: New York State's vehicle and equipment auctions add 8%, and a 2018 Alabama county agreement offered 0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% or 12.5%, with the county paying the rest of GovDeals' fee.

### Is the buyer's premium the same on every GovDeals listing?

No. Each agency picks its pricing option, and GovDeals can negotiate lower pricing by asset type, value or volume. The Bid Box on the listing shows what applies, and it may be labeled an administrative fee.

### Do you pay sales tax on the GovDeals buyer's premium?

Often. A 2016 GovDeals information sheet published by the City of Berea, Kentucky, says the premium is "in most cases" taxable at the rate for the asset's location, and the California, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, New York and Wisconsin tax agencies all treat a buyer's premium as part of the taxable price. Your state's rules decide; check with a tax professional.

### How do resellers buy tax-exempt on GovDeals?

File the exemption before you pay. Oklahoma, which sells through GovDeals, requires Liquidity Services' tax exemption forms completed through GovDeals and recommends doing it before the auction closes or before paying. When GovDeals collects payment for an agency, its 2022 price schedule says it collects buyers' tax-exempt documents and applies them; agencies that collect their own payments set their own rules.

### How long do I have to pick up a GovDeals item?

It is set by each agency and shown on the asset page. Oklahoma's current terms allow 5 business days from the Buyer's Certificate, then charge $10 a day storage; Baldwin County, Alabama's 2018 terms allowed 10 business days, with a $25.00 daily storage fee possible after that.

### How long do I have to pay on GovDeals?

The agency sets it. Oklahoma's terms give five business days from the close and require a wire for any invoice of $5,000 or more; Baldwin County's 2018 terms also gave 5 business days.

General information from each site's and agency's own published pages, checked Oct 23, 2026; not legal or tax advice. Each auction's own terms control, so read them before you bid, and check with a lawyer or tax professional where it matters.

## Sources

Rates verified on Oct 23, 2026 from each official page below.

- [State of Maine, Bureau of Procurement: GovDeals price schedule, Attachment C, 2022 (PDF)](https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementservices/files/inline-files/2022%20Price%20Schedule%201662487279_GovDeals%20-%20Price%20Catalog.pdf)
- [New York State Office of General Services: Vehicle and Equipment Auctions](https://ogs.ny.gov/vehicle-and-equipment-auctions)
- [Baldwin County Commission (Alabama): GovDeals Online Auction Memo of Understanding, V7 9/12/2018 (PDF)](https://open.baldwincountyal.gov/OpenAgreements/docs/2021-09-22%20114101_GovDeals%20Online%20Auction%20Memo%20of%20Understanding%2020181016.pdf)
- [Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services: Public Online Auction Information (last modified Jun 17, 2026)](https://oklahoma.gov/omes/divisions/capital-assets-management/surplus/public-online-auction-information.html)
- [City of Berea, Kentucky: GovDeals information sheet (PDF, created Apr 11, 2016)](https://www.cityofberea.org/DocumentCenter/View/197)
- [Kentucky Department of Revenue: Sales & Use Tax](https://revenue.ky.gov/Business/Sales-Use-Tax/pages/default.aspx)

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---

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