At a glance
| What's sold | Used industrial machines, vehicles, equipment and surplus stock |
| Lots located in | Germany (52%), Italy (31%), Bulgaria (6%), Spain (3%), Romania (2%) |
| Who can bid | Businesses only, under the terms |
| Buyer's premium | 19%, shown on each lot page; the auction terms let it vary by lot and sale |
| VAT on premium | Yes, at the lot country's rate (Germany 19%) |
| Payment deadline | Straight after the sale; by pickup day at the latest |
| Pickup deadline | Within one week; often 1–2 fixed days per auction |
| Verdict | Real B2B stock, but high extra costs and weaker support since 2025 |
What's sold
Surplex sells used industrial goods from insolvencies, factory closures and consignments. Typical lots are metal- and woodworking machines, CNC, construction and farm machines, forklifts, trucks, lab equipment and office IT. Since 2025 many lots come from sister brands such as Troostwijk, and the brand that lists a lot is the party you contract with.
Who can bid
- Private buyers: Consumers are excluded by the terms. The shared platform has a personal account type, but under the terms anyone who is not a business may use Surplex only with its express consent. Some lots state that only business accounts may bid.
- Businesses: You must declare that you are a business (Unternehmer). Your company data is checked, and you may be asked for official ID and proof that you can act for the company. Some lots need a deposit (Kaution) of at least EUR 500 before you can bid above EUR 5,000. Each auction sets its own allowed countries, based on your registered company country.
Registration
- Sign up free with your email address and enter the confirmation code.
- Confirm your mobile number with the SMS code.
- Add your company details and complete buyer verification (Käuferverifizierung).
- Verify a payment method; you cannot bid without it.
- Pay the bid deposit if a lot you want asks for one.
Fees and real total cost
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer's premium (Aufgeld) | 19% | Shown on each lot page; about 18% before 2025 |
| VAT | Lot country's rate (DE 19%, ES 21%) | Charged on hammer and premium |
| Dismantling and loading (D+V) | Per lot, e.g. EUR 200–1,000, plus VAT | Due if marked binding, even if you collect yourself |
| Collection supervision (Abholüberwachung) | Not published | Charged to you as buyer |
| Storage after deadline (Standgeld) | EUR 50 per day plus VAT | From the German auction terms |
| Payment fees | None charged by Surplex | EUR only; cards only outside SEPA, up to EUR 350 |
| VAT deposit (MwSt.-Kaution) | Equal to the VAT | For EU buyers with a VAT ID and non-EU buyers; refunded with export proof |
Worked example, German lot, German business buyer:
| Line | EUR |
|---|---|
| Hammer price | 1,000.00 |
| Premium 19% | 190.00 |
| VAT 19% on hammer and premium | 226.10 |
| Collection supervision | Not published |
| Total paid | 1,416.10 |
This total excludes collection supervision and transport. If the lot carries binding D+V of EUR 1,000 net, you pay EUR 2,606.10.
How bidding works
- You can leave a maximum bid (Bietagent), which bids for you one step at a time. When two maximums are equal, the earlier one usually wins.
- Bid steps rise with the price, e.g. EUR 10 at about EUR 90 and EUR 500 at EUR 15,000. There is no published table.
- A bid in the final minute adds 2 minutes to that lot. Lots close in sequence, so check each lot's own end time.
- No-reserve lots go to the highest bidder. On reserve lots (Mindestpreis), the seller can still accept a lower bid within 48 hours.
- On allocation lots (Zuteilung), the seller must approve the top bid, so you can win and still not receive the item.
- Every confirmed bid is binding and cannot be withdrawn. You stay bound while the seller decides.
- Surplex can withdraw lots or reject bids without giving a reason.
Watch out
- Binding D+V and transport can double your cost; open the full breakdown (Gesamtübersicht anzeigen) before bidding.
- Goods are sold as seen, with no warranty or right of withdrawal; weights and photos are not binding.
- VAT-deposit refunds are slow, and collecting yourself in Spain, Bulgaria or Croatia forfeits the deposit.
- The pickup address appears only on the invoice after payment. By default you dismantle and collect yourself; Surplex can organise a forwarder or parcel service, at your cost, so ask for a quote early.
- Since February 2025 buyers report slow support, goods moved between warehouses, and short or wrong lots.
Verdict: Surplex is a genuine source of used machinery for businesses, but budget well above the hammer price. Inspect the lot, check who the seller is and plan pickup before you bid.