Copart Virtual Bid Fee (Internet Bid Fee)
The Copart Internet Bid Fee — also called the Virtual Bid Fee — is a surcharge applied when you place your bid online rather than attending the auction in person. It ranges from $0 (for bids under $100) to $129 (for bids over $8,000). This fee is completely waived if you bid live at a Copart auction yard or use a Copart kiosk. For online bidders, it is a mandatory line item on your invoice alongside the buyer fee, gate fee, and additional fees.
Internet Bid Fee Tier Table
The internet bid fee uses an eight-tier structure based on the winning bid amount. Higher bids trigger higher internet fees, though the increments are moderate compared to the buyer fee.
| Bid Range | Internet Bid Fee |
|---|---|
| $0.00 – $99.99 | $0.00 |
| $100.00 – $499.99 | $39.00 |
| $500.00 – $999.99 | $49.00 |
| $1,000.00 – $1,499.99 | $69.00 |
| $1,500.00 – $1,999.99 | $79.00 |
| $2,000.00 – $3,999.99 | $89.00 |
| $4,000.00 – $5,999.99 | $99.00 |
| $6,000.00 – $7,999.99 | $119.00 |
| $8,000.00+ | $129.00 |
The fee applies equally to both individual and business buyers. Whether you are a public member or a licensed dealer, the internet bid fee is the same at every price point.
Online vs. Live Bidding: Cost Comparison
The most important thing to understand about the internet bid fee is that it only applies to online bidding. Here is how the two methods compare:
| Feature | Online Bidding | Live / Kiosk Bidding |
|---|---|---|
| Internet Bid Fee | $0 – $129 (based on bid) | $0 (waived) |
| Buyer Fee | Same tiered rate | Same tiered rate |
| Gate Fee | $95 | $95 |
| Additional Fees | ~$59 | ~$59 |
| Location Required | No — bid from anywhere | Yes — must be at the yard |
| Access to All Lots | Yes | Only lots at that yard |
| Pre-Bid Available | Yes | No |
The only fee difference between online and live bidding is the Internet Bid Fee. All other charges — buyer fee, gate fee, and additional fees — remain identical regardless of how you bid.
Pre-Bid vs. Live Online Bidding
Copart offers two ways to bid online, and both carry the same Internet Bid Fee:
- Pre-Bidding — You submit your maximum bid before the live auction starts. Copart's system automatically bids on your behalf up to your limit. If your pre-bid wins, the Internet Bid Fee applies based on the final winning amount.
- Live Online Bidding — You watch the auction in real time through Copart's website or app and place bids during the live event. This gives you more control but requires you to be available at auction time. The Internet Bid Fee is the same as for pre-bids.
In both cases, the Internet Bid Fee is determined by the final winning bid amount, not your maximum pre-bid or the number of bids you place.
Why Does Online Bidding Cost More?
The Internet Bid Fee reflects the infrastructure cost of Copart's online platform — servers, streaming video, real-time bidding systems, and the convenience of participating from anywhere. For buyers who live far from auction yards or want to bid on vehicles at multiple locations simultaneously, the online fee is a reasonable trade-off for the flexibility. However, if you regularly attend auctions at a local yard, bidding in person saves you up to $129 per vehicle.
Worked Examples
Example 1: $1,000 Bid — Online vs. Live
An individual buyer wins a vehicle at $1,000. Bidding online, the Internet Bid Fee is $69.00. If the same buyer had bid live, that fee would be $0. The total difference is $69.00 saved by attending in person.
Example 2: $5,000 Bid — Online vs. Live
At a $5,000 winning bid, the Internet Bid Fee rises to $99.00 for online bidders. Bidding live would eliminate this entirely, saving $99.00 on the total. For frequent buyers at higher price points, these savings add up quickly.
Calculate Your Internet Bid Fee
Use our free Copart fee calculator to see your exact Internet Bid Fee alongside all other charges. Simply enter your bid amount, select your buyer type, and choose "Online" as the auction method. For the full tier breakdown alongside buyer fees and totals, visit the Copart fee chart.