GovPlanet vs Ritchie Bros (2026): Fees, Inventory & Which to Use

GovPlanet and Ritchie Bros both move serious iron - trucks, heavy equipment, and fleet. The difference is who's selling. GovPlanet is a government and military surplus channel; Ritchie Bros is the largest commercial industrial auctioneer in the world. The right one depends on whether you want ex-government inventory or the broadest commercial selection.

TL;DR

GovPlanet sells US military and federal surplus - tactical vehicles, fleet trucks, generators, and equipment - with documented inspection reports and a ~15% buyer's fee.

Ritchie Bros runs huge unreserved commercial auctions of construction and transportation equipment from dealers, contractors, and fleets worldwide. Selection is enormous, condition reporting is strong, and the transaction fee is tiered (around 10% on smaller lots, declining on larger ones) plus administrative fees.

Quick decision

• Specifically after ex-military or federal-government equipment
• Looking for tactical or specialized government rolling stock
• Fine with off-road titling and government paperwork

• After the widest selection of commercial construction and transport equipment
• Buying higher-value lots where the declining fee tier helps
• Wanting strong inspection reports and a global, liquid marketplace

Side by side

Where each platform actually wins

Source of the inventory This is the whole decision. GovPlanet is where government and military assets get disposed; you simply will not find a demilitarized HMMWV or an ex-DoD tactical trailer on Ritchie Bros. Conversely, if you want late-model commercial excavators, dozers, or over-the-road tractors at volume, Ritchie Bros has far more of them from private sellers.

Fee structure on bigger lots The fee math flips with price. On a $5,000 lot, GovPlanet's 15% and Ritchie Bros' ~10% (plus admin fee) are close, with Ritchie Bros usually a bit cheaper. On a $60,000 machine, Ritchie Bros' declining tier can land well under 5% while GovPlanet's effective rate sits near 10%. For high-value buyers, Ritchie Bros' regressive fee is a real advantage; for sub-$10k lots, the gap is smaller and GovPlanet's inventory may justify it.

Note on fees Ritchie Bros publishes tiered transaction fees that vary by region and event, plus administrative and internet-bidding charges. Always read the buyer fees on the specific sale - the numbers here are representative, not a quote.

Inspection and trust Both lean on documented condition. GovPlanet's IronClad Assurance and Ritchie Bros' inspection reports both reduce blind-bidding risk, which matters because both attract remote buyers shipping equipment long distances.

Should you check both?

For ex-government inventory, GovPlanet is the channel to watch, and you can track it (alongside GovDeals, GSA, Public Surplus and more) in one place with a meta-search like GovAuctions. Ritchie Bros sells through its own marketplace, so for commercial lots you'll still bid there directly - but cross-checking a comparable machine's government-surplus price first tells you whether the commercial lot is actually a deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ritchie Bros charge a buyer's premium? Ritchie Bros uses a tiered transaction fee rather than a single flat premium - commonly around 10% on lots up to roughly $12,000 (with a per-lot minimum), declining on higher-value lots, plus administrative and online-bidding fees. Rates vary by region and event, so check the buyer fees on each sale.

Which has cheaper fees overall? On low-value lots they're close, with Ritchie Bros usually slightly lower. On high-value lots Ritchie Bros' declining tier is clearly cheaper. GovPlanet's value is the government and military inventory you can't get elsewhere, not the fee.

Can I find government equipment on Ritchie Bros? Occasionally - some government sellers consign there - but GovPlanet is purpose-built for federal and military disposal and carries far more of it.

Are both sites safe for remote buying? Both publish inspection or condition reporting on many lots, which lowers the risk of buying sight-unseen. Still budget for transport and verify title and condition details before bidding.