Provenance of lots
The wines and spirits on offer come mainly from estates, private cellars and business closures, sold by German art auction houses. There are also seized lots at Justiz-Auktion, from bailiff or court proceedings. Catalogues state the producer, vintage, format and sometimes the declared origin. A lot without a clear history remains a risky lot. Check whether the bottle has been stored upright or lying down, in a temperature-controlled cellar or in a display cabinet. German terms describe the condition: "defekt", "ungeprüft", "wie besichtigt". Read the original description, not just the translation. Ask for photos of the cork, label and fill level before bidding.
Checkpoints before bidding
At private auction houses, buyer's premiums are added, often between 25 and 33%, plus German VAT of 19% depending on the scheme, VAT added, VAT included or margin scheme. Bidorado displays the all-in price, making comparison easy. Note the published estimate, the Schätzpreis, and possible purchase orders. In catalogue sales in the room, bidding takes place live online; in timed sales, closing is automatic. Check the fill level, condition of capsules, integrity of labels and presence of the original case. For spirits, check the strength, volume and tightness of the cork. An EU professional with a valid intra-community VAT number can often buy without German VAT, with proof of transport.
Collection, delivery and export
Many lots are for collection on site, marked "nur Abholung". Some sellers ship within Germany or the EU, but shipping bottles is fragile and sometimes refused. A specialised carrier or a relay address in Germany can bring a lot to you. For valuable cultural goods, an export licence may be required outside the EU; the droit de suite, Folgerecht, applies to certain works by living or recent artists, but not to wines and spirits. Allow for packaging, insurance and any excise duties on import. Many lots go unsold without a single bid, due to lack of visibility outside Germany: that is the purpose of Bidorado's Radar.