Frequently asked questions

The total has four parts: the auction price, the auction fee, shipping from the US to Baku (2 350 $–3 150 $) and customs payments (import duty, excise tax, VAT and the customs fee). Calculate a specific car in the customs calculator; every cost item is explained in this article.

After payment the car is picked up from the yard within 2–5 days, taken to the port and loaded into a container. The ship goes to a port in Georgia, and the car is delivered to Baku from there: the sea leg usually takes 25–35 days. Depending on the state, the total is 35–58 days; times by state are on this page.

Sign up on the site and pay the registration fee: your login and password arrive by SMS and email. The “Auction” button in your account takes you to Copart, where you place bids; on IAAI you take part by placing an order through a manager. The steps are on the How to take part page.

The registration fee is 800 $; your account opens once it is paid. Payment methods are on the Registration and payment page, and refund terms are set out in the contract.

The base is the customs value: the auction price, auction fee and shipping. Import duty depends on engine size and the car's age, excise tax on engine size. VAT (18%) is charged on the sum of customs value, duty and excise tax, plus the customs fee. Rate tables are in this article.

Yes. For a hybrid the calculator charges 50% of the excise tax, and for an electric car it sets import duty, excise tax and VAT to zero. Check the current terms of these exemptions with customs before clearance. To calculate, choose the fuel type in the customs calculator.

Yes. Most auction lots come from insurance companies. A salvage title means the insurer considered the car heavily damaged; it can be registered after repair. Before bidding, check the damage description and every photo: how to read a lot description.

Basic insurance is included in shipping: it covers total loss of the car in transit (for example a fire on the ship or a lost container). Full insurance is an extra and covers any damage that occurs during shipping. More: Insurance.

Backing out of a won lot leads to a penalty from the auction. That is why you should read the lot description and work out the total cost in the calculator before bidding. The terms are on the Terms page.

Every stage is visible in your account: pickup from the yard, the port, the container, the sea leg, customs and handover. As soon as the status changes you get an SMS and an email. The stages are explained on the Buy and ship page.