Instantly estimate total auction costs including buyer fees, gate fee, virtual bid fee, environmental fee & sales tax.
Gate Fee
$95
All purchases
Environmental
$15
Per sold item
Title Handling
$20
Standard fee
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Fee Calculator
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Fee Breakdown
Bid Amount—
Buyer Fee—
Virtual Bid Fee—
Gate Fee—
Environmental Fee—
Title Handling Fee—
Sales Tax—
Total Cost$0.00
Common Questions
The buyer fee (also called bidding fee) is a percentage or flat amount charged on top of your winning bid. It varies based on the final bid price and whether you used a secured or unsecured payment method. For bids over $15,000 it becomes a percentage — 7.5% secured or 12.5% unsecured.
The virtual bid fee is charged when you bid online (Pre-Bid or Live Bid). It ranges from $0 for bids under $99, up to $149 for Live Bids over $8,000. Kiosk bidding in-person has no virtual bid fee.
Yes — a flat $95 gate fee applies to all Copart vehicle purchases in the US, regardless of bid price. It covers administrative and vehicle relocation costs at the yard.
Secured payments (wire transfer, ePay, debit card, cash, cashier’s check) qualify for lower buyer fees. Unsecured payments (credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay) have slightly higher buyer fees due to chargeback risk.
This calculator uses the official Copart US Non-Licensed fee schedule updated June 2026. Estimates are accurate for standard non-licensed buyers. Licensed dealers may have different fee structures. Always verify the final total on Copart’s website before bidding.
Buyer Fee Table
Bid Price Range
Secured
Unsecured
$0 – $49.99
$25.00
$27.50
$50 – $99.99
$45.00
$50.00
$100 – $199.99
$80.00
$90.00
$200 – $299.99
$130.00
$145.00
$300 – $349.99
$132.50
$150.50
$350 – $399.99
$135.00
$155.00
$400 – $449.99
$170.00
$192.50
$450 – $499.99
$180.00
$205.00
$500 – $549.99
$200.00
$227.50
$500 – $599.99
$205.00
$235.00
$600 – $699.99
$235.00
$270.00
$700 – $799.99
$260.00
$300.00
$800 – $899.99
$280.00
$325.00
$900 – $999.99
$305.00
$355.00
$1,000 – $1,199.99
$355.00
$415.00
$1,200 – $1,299.99
$380.00
$445.00
$1,300 – $1,399.99
$400.00
$470.00
$1,400 – $1,499.99
$410.00
$485.00
$1,500 – $1,599.99
$420.00
$500.00
$1,600 – $1,699.99
$440.00
$525.00
$1,700 – $1,799.99
$450.00
$540.00
$1,800 – $1,999.99
$465.00
$565.00
$2,000 – $2,399.99
$500.00
$620.00
$2,400 – $2,499.99
$525.00
$650.00
$2,500 – $2,999.99
$550.00
$700.00
$3,000 – $3,499.99
$650.00
$825.00
$3,500 – $3,999.99
$700.00
$920.00
$4,000 – $4,499.99
$725.00
$935.00
$4,500 – $4,999.99
$750.00
$1,000.00
$5,000 – $5,999.99
$775.00
$1,025.00
$6,000 – $6,999.99
$800.00
$1,050.00
$7,000 – $7,999.99
$825.00
$1,075.00
$8,000 – $9,999.99
$850.00
$1,100.00
$10,000 – $14,999.99
$900.00
$1,250.00
$15,000+
7.5%
12.5%
Virtual Bid Fees
Bid Price
Pre-Bid
Live Bid
Kiosk
$0 – $99.99
$0
$0
$0
$100 – $499.99
$39
$49
$0
$500 – $999.99
$49
$59
$0
$1,000 – $1,499.99
$69
$79
$0
$1,500 – $1,999.99
$79
$89
$0
$2,000 – $3,999.99
$89
$99
$0
$4,000 – $5,999.99
$99
$109
$0
$6,000 – $7,999.99
$119
$139
$0
$8,000+
$129
$149
$0
Complete Guide · 2026
Copart Fees Explained: Everything You Need to Know Before You Bid
Most bidders focus only on the hammer price — and then get a nasty surprise when the total invoice arrives. This guide breaks down every single Copart fee, shows you exactly how they stack up, and gives you real strategies to keep more money in your pocket.
Copart is one of the largest online vehicle auction platforms in the world, operating over 200 locations across the United States alone. Every week, tens of thousands of salvage, clean-title, and donated vehicles go through their auctions — sourced from insurance companies, banks, dealerships, and fleet owners.
Unlike a traditional car auction where you walk into a room and raise your hand, Copart runs almost entirely online. You create an account, pay a membership deposit (currently $400 for a basic membership), and then you can bid on any vehicle in any Copart yard across the country — or internationally.
When you win a vehicle, the price you see on your screen is not what you pay. That’s the bid price. On top of that, Copart layers multiple fees before you can take the car home. Understanding those fees before you bid is the single most important thing a buyer can do.
Every Copart Fee Type Explained
Here is a complete breakdown of every charge you may encounter on a Copart invoice in 2026:
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Buyer Fee (Bidding Fee)
The largest variable fee. Calculated from a tiered table based on your final bid amount. Ranges from $25 on a $50 car to 12.5% on a $15,000+ vehicle.
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Gate Fee
A flat $95 administrative fee charged on every single purchase. Covers vehicle relocation to the gate area for pickup. No exceptions.
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Environmental Fee
A flat $15 fee per sold vehicle. Covers environmentally compliant handling of fluids and hazardous materials in the car.
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Virtual Bid Fee
Charged when you bid online (Pre-Bid or Live Bid). Ranges from $0 on bids under $100 up to $149 for Live Bids over $8,000. Kiosk bidding in person avoids this fee entirely.
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Title Handling Fee
A flat $20 fee for processing the vehicle title paperwork. Applied to virtually all purchases regardless of vehicle type or state.
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Sales Tax
Varies by state — anywhere from 0% to over 10%. Some states have specific rules for salvage vehicles. Always check your state’s DMV guidelines.
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Late Payment Fee
$50 per vehicle if payment is not received within 3 business days of the sale date. This is strictly enforced — don’t miss the window.
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Vehicle Relist Fee
If you win a vehicle and fail to pay, Copart charges 10% of the final sale price (minimum $600) to relist it. This can easily cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Buyer Fee Deep Dive (With Real Examples)
The buyer fee is where most of the confusion — and most of the money — lives. It’s a tiered flat-fee structure for bids up to $14,999.99, and switches to a percentage for anything above $15,000. The amount you pay also depends on whether your payment method is classified as secured or unsecured.
Here’s a practical look at what the buyer fee looks like across different price points:
$1,000 bid
Secured: $355Unsecured: $415
Difference: $60
$4,000 bid
Secured: $725Unsecured: $935
Difference: $210
$10,000 bid
Secured: $900Unsecured: $1,250
Difference: $350
$20,000 bid
Secured: $1,500Unsecured: $2,500
Difference: $1,000
The pattern is clear: the higher the bid, the more it pays to use a secured payment method. On a $20,000 vehicle, the payment method choice alone saves you a full $1,000 on the buyer fee. That’s not pocket change.
One thing that catches new buyers off guard: the buyer fee is calculated on your highest bid — not just the amount you actually win at. If you Pre-Bid at $5,000 but the car sells for $3,000, you still pay the buyer fee based on the $3,000 winning price. The virtual bid fee, however, can be based on your highest submitted bid depending on the scenario.
Virtual Bid Fee — What Most People Miss
This is the fee that surprises newcomers most. Any time you bid online — either by submitting a Pre-Bid before the auction or by entering a Live Bid during the auction — Copart charges a virtual bid fee on top of everything else.
The fee scales with the bid amount and also depends on the type of online bid you place. Live bidding (clicking in real time during the auction) costs slightly more than submitting a Pre-Bid in advance. The only way to completely avoid this fee is to bid in person at a Copart kiosk.
For most buyers, driving to a Copart location to use the kiosk just to save $49–$149 doesn’t make practical sense. But if you’re buying vehicles locally and regularly, it’s worth knowing the option exists.
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Pro tip: If you’re going to bid online anyway, using Pre-Bid instead of Live Bid saves you $10 across most price tiers. Over many purchases, that adds up. The tradeoff is that Live Bidding gives you the ability to react in real time if the price is moving.
Secured vs. Unsecured Payments: The Difference Matters More Than You Think
Copart classifies every payment method as either secured or unsecured — and this single factor changes your buyer fee by anywhere from $2.50 to hundreds of dollars depending on your bid.
✅ Secured (Lower Fees)
Wire Transfer
ePay (Copart’s own system)
Debit Card
Cash
Cashier’s Check
Money Order
MoneyGram / Western Union
❌ Unsecured (Higher Fees)
Credit Card
PayPal
Apple Pay
Google Pay
Company Check
The logic makes sense from Copart’s perspective: unsecured payments carry chargeback risk. A credit card payment can be disputed and reversed weeks later. A wire transfer cannot. They pass that risk premium on to the buyer through higher fees.
If you’re a frequent buyer, setting up wire transfer capability with your bank is worth the one-time effort. Most banks can process domestic wires for $15–$30 per transaction — still cheaper than the buyer fee premium on anything over a $500 bid.
Real Cost Example: What a $3,500 Bid Actually Costs You
Let’s walk through a realistic scenario to make all of this concrete. You’ve found a 2019 Honda Civic with repairable front-end damage. The bidding ends and you win at $3,500. Here’s the full invoice breakdown:
FeeSecuredUnsecured
Bid Amount$3,500.00$3,500.00
Buyer Fee$700.00$920.00
Virtual Bid Fee (Pre-Bid)$89.00$89.00
Gate Fee$95.00$95.00
Environmental Fee$15.00$15.00
Title Handling$20.00$20.00
Total (before tax)$4,419.00$4,639.00
That’s a $220 difference just from the payment method choice — and we haven’t even factored in sales tax or transportation to your location yet. The takeaway: a $3,500 car actually costs you between $4,400 and $4,640 before it even moves from the yard.
This is why using the Copart Fee Calculator above before every bid is not optional — it’s essential budgeting.
5 Proven Ways to Reduce Your Copart Fees
01
Always use a secured payment method. Wire transfer is the gold standard. Set it up with your bank once and you save on every future purchase. On a $5,000+ vehicle, the buyer fee difference between secured and unsecured is $250 or more.
02
Use Pre-Bid instead of Live Bid when you can. Pre-Bidding costs $10 less than Live Bidding in most price tiers. If you already know your max, submit a Pre-Bid and let the system work.
03
Bid at Copart kiosks for local purchases. If the yard is nearby and you have flexibility, kiosk bidding eliminates the virtual bid fee completely. On a $4,000 car, that’s $99 back in your pocket.
04
Pay within 3 business days — always. The $50 late fee per vehicle sounds small, but it’s completely avoidable. Keep your payment ready before you bid, not after you win.
05
Run the numbers before bidding, not after. Use this calculator before placing any bid. Enter your max bid, select your payment type, and see the real total. Then decide if the deal still makes sense at that number.
Biggest Mistakes Copart Buyers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
After following Copart auctions closely, the same costly errors come up over and over. Here are the ones that hurt buyers the most:
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Forgetting the fees exist
First-time buyers often bid based on what they’re willing to pay for the car, not accounting for $200–$1,000+ in fees on top. Always work backward from your total budget.
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Using a credit card by default
It’s the easiest payment method, but it’s also the most expensive. On a $6,000 bid, using a credit card instead of wire transfer costs an extra $250 in buyer fees.
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Not researching repair costs first
Buying at auction means buying as-is. A vehicle that looks like a $2,000 fix can turn into a $6,000 fix once you get it to a shop. Use Bidfax and VIN history reports before every bid.
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Ignoring transportation costs
Copart yards aren’t always nearby. Towing or shipping a non-running vehicle 200 miles can cost $300–$600. This is a real cost that has to be in your budget calculation.
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Winning without a plan to pay
You have 3 business days. If you haven’t arranged a wire transfer or have funds ready, you’re risking a $50 late fee — or worse, a 10% relist fee if you can’t pay at all.
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Bidding emotionally on auction day
Live auctions move fast. Decide your absolute maximum before the auction starts and never go above it. The next similar vehicle will come along — Copart lists thousands every week.
Last verified against Copart’s official US Non-Licensed fee schedule: June 2026.
1. Does Copart charge sales tax on salvage vehicles?
Yes — in most U.S. states, sales tax applies to salvage vehicle purchases at Copart, though the exact rate and calculation method varies by state. Some states apply the full standard sales tax rate to the hammer price. Others calculate it on the vehicle’s depreciated or book value, and a few states (like Oregon, Montana, and New Hampshire) have no sales tax at all. Always input your state’s rate into the Copart sales tax calculator at the top of this page to get an accurate total before you bid. For the definitive rate in your state, check your local DMV or Department of Revenue.
2. What are Copart fees for non-licensed buyers in 2026?
Non-licensed buyers (regular members of the public, not licensed dealers) pay the standard Copart fee schedule. In June 2026, this includes: a tiered buyer fee ranging from $25 on bids under $50 up to 7.5–12.5% on bids over $15,000; a flat $95 gate fee; a $15 environmental fee; a $20 title handling fee; and a virtual bid fee of $0–$149 depending on bid type and amount. Non-licensed buyers cannot access the lower dealer fee tiers, which is why some frequent buyers pursue a dealer license through their state DMV.
3. Has the Copart fee schedule changed from 2025 to 2026?
The core fee structure — buyer fee tiers, gate fee ($95), environmental fee ($15), and title handling fee ($20) — remained consistent from 2025 into 2026. The virtual bid fees have also held steady. However, Copart reserves the right to update their published fee schedule at any time. This calculator reflects the fee table as of June 2026. Before placing any high-value bid, it’s always worth double-checking directly on Copart’s website under Member Fees for the most current official schedule.
4. Where can I find the official Copart fees chart or PDF?
Copart publishes its official US Non-Licensed Fees chart on their website at copart.com under the Member Resources or Buyer Information section. You can also find a downloadable PDF version of the fee schedule linked directly on the fees page. The complete buyer fee table is also reproduced in full on this page above the FAQ section, so you can reference it without leaving this calculator.
5. How do Copart buyer fees work for bids over $15,000?
For bids at or above $15,000, Copart switches from the flat-fee tier table to a percentage-based model. Secured payment methods (wire transfer, debit card, ePay, cash) are charged 7.5% of the final bid price. Unsecured methods (credit card, PayPal, Google Pay) are charged 12.5%. So on a $20,000 vehicle, a secured buyer pays $1,500 in buyer fees alone, while an unsecured buyer pays $2,500. This is by far the most expensive fee range — choosing your payment method wisely at this level saves you significant money.
6. Are Copart fees the same for motorcycles and regular vehicles?
The buyer fee table itself applies equally to motorcycles and regular vehicles — the fee is determined by the final bid price, not the vehicle type. However, storage fees and gate fees may differ depending on the size and type of vehicle in some locations. For standard non-licensed buyers, you can use the same calculator above for motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and other vehicles — just enter the expected winning bid and the results will reflect accurate fee estimates.
7. What is the Copart 3rd party finance fee?
If you use a third-party financing company to fund your Copart purchase (such as an auto auction finance service), Copart charges an additional $69 processing fee on top of all standard fees. This fee covers the administrative cost of coordinating payment from an external lender. If you’re financing a vehicle through your own bank and paying via wire transfer, this fee does not apply — it specifically applies to financing arranged through a third-party provider integrated into Copart’s system.
8. Can I calculate Copart fees before I register for an account?
Absolutely — and you should. The Copart Fee Calculator on this page requires no account, no login, and no registration. Just enter your expected bid amount, select your payment method and bid type, and click Calculate. You’ll see the full fee breakdown instantly. It’s a smart habit to run the numbers on any vehicle you’re seriously considering before you even open Copart’s website — that way you know your real ceiling before the auction begins.
9. Does Copart charge a storage fee, and how much is it?
Copart does charge storage fees if you delay picking up your vehicle after the payment has cleared, though the amount varies by location and vehicle type. Typically, a grace period of a few days is offered after payment confirmation before storage charges begin. After that, daily fees apply — commonly in the range of $20–$50 per day depending on the yard. To avoid storage fees entirely, arrange transportation or pickup as soon as your payment clears. Contact the specific Copart yard where your vehicle is located to confirm their storage policy and daily rate before you plan your pickup.
10. Is there a Copart fee calculator for non-US buyers?
This calculator is built specifically for US non-licensed buyers using the official US fee schedule. Copart operates internationally — in the UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, and other countries — but each region has its own separate fee structure, membership tiers, and currency. International buyers purchasing vehicles from US Copart yards will still use the US fee table (as shown in this calculator) but will additionally need to factor in international shipping, import duties, and their home country’s import regulations. For buyers in other Copart markets, check your regional Copart website for the applicable local fee schedule.
The Bottom Line
Copart auctions offer genuinely great deals on salvage and clean-title vehicles — but only if you go in with your eyes open. The bid price is just the starting line. By the time you account for the buyer fee, virtual bid fee, gate fee, environmental fee, title handling, and any applicable sales tax, a “cheap” car can quietly become an expensive one.
The good news is that all of these fees are completely predictable. Use the calculator at the top of this page before placing any bid, choose your payment method wisely, and always build in a buffer for transportation and repairs. Do that consistently, and Copart becomes one of the best sourcing tools available to individual buyers and dealers alike.
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People Also Ask
These are the most commonly searched questions about Copart fees on Google — answered in full below.
On a $5,000 bid, the Copart buyer fee is $775 for secured payments (wire transfer, ePay, debit card) and $1,025 for unsecured payments (credit card, PayPal, Google Pay). Add the standard $95 gate fee, $15 environmental fee, $20 title handling fee, and any applicable virtual bid fee ($99 Pre-Bid / $109 Live Bid), and your total before tax is approximately $6,004–$6,264 depending on payment method and bid type.
A $1,000 bid at Copart using a secured payment method with a Pre-Bid will cost: $1,000 (bid) + $355 (buyer fee) + $69 (virtual bid fee) + $95 (gate fee) + $15 (environmental fee) + $20 (title fee) = $1,554 total before tax. Using an unsecured payment like a credit card raises the buyer fee to $415, pushing the total to $1,614. Always use the calculator above to get the exact figure for your specific scenario.
No — Copart does not charge any fees if you bid and lose. The buyer fee, virtual bid fee, and all other charges only apply when you are the winning bidder. This means you can freely bid on as many vehicles as you want, across multiple auctions simultaneously, and you will only be invoiced for vehicles you actually win. There’s no risk to bidding conservatively on several options at once.
Non-licensed buyers are regular members of the public who pay the standard published fee table shown on this page. Licensed dealers — those with a valid dealer license registered with Copart — access a separate, typically lower fee schedule that is not publicly listed. The exact dealer fees vary and are provided directly by Copart to credentialed dealer members. If you’re purchasing vehicles frequently for resale, obtaining a dealer license in your state and registering it with Copart can meaningfully reduce your per-vehicle costs over time.
Use the Copart Fee Calculator at the top of this page. Enter your bid amount, select your payment method (secured or unsecured), choose your bid type (Pre-Bid, Live Bid, or Kiosk), and type your state’s sales tax rate into the tax field. Click Calculate and you’ll see a complete breakdown including buyer fee, virtual bid fee, gate fee, environmental fee, title handling, tax amount, and the grand total. It’s the fastest way to verify whether a vehicle fits your budget before you bid.
As of June 2026, Copart’s core non-licensed fee structure has remained consistent with 2025 rates. The buyer fee tiers, flat fees (gate, environmental, title), and virtual bid fees have not seen significant increases. Copart periodically reviews and updates their fee schedule, so there’s always a possibility of changes. This calculator is maintained with the current 2026 schedule. For critical purchases, always cross-reference with the official fee page at copart.com before finalizing your bid strategy.
The cheapest payment strategy at Copart is: (1) use a secured payment method — wire transfer is the most reliable and has no chargeback risk, giving you the lowest buyer fee tier; (2) submit a Pre-Bid instead of a Live Bid to save $10 on the virtual bid fee; and (3) if the yard is local, consider bidding at a Copart kiosk in person to eliminate the virtual bid fee entirely. Combining all three on a $4,000 vehicle saves you over $300 compared to bidding live with a credit card.
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People Also Search For
Related topics buyers commonly research alongside Copart fees — answered here so you don’t have to leave the page.
Copart Fees Calculator 2026
This page is the most up-to-date Copart fee calculator for 2026, last verified in June 2026. The buyer fee table, virtual bid fees, gate fee ($95), environmental fee ($15), and title fee ($20) all reflect the current official Copart US Non-Licensed schedule. Use the calculator at the top of the page for instant results.
Copart Fees Chart
The full Copart buyer fee chart is published in the tables above on this page — covering every price tier from $0 to $15,000+, for both secured and unsecured payment methods. You can also find the virtual bid fee chart showing Pre-Bid, Live Bid, and Kiosk rates across all bid ranges. No PDF download required — everything is right here.
Copart Fees Chart PDF
Copart publishes an official PDF of their fee schedule at copart.com under Member Fees. However, PDFs go stale — the interactive tables on this page are kept current and are easier to reference on any device. If you need a printable version, you can print this page directly from your browser (File → Print) and both fee tables will print cleanly.
Copart Fees Calculator 2025
Searching for the 2025 fee calculator? Good news — the Copart fee structure carried over into 2026 without major changes. The buyer fee tiers, gate fee, and virtual bid fees you’d have used in 2025 remain the same in June 2026. This calculator reflects both years accurately. No need to find an older version.
Copart Fees 2026
Current Copart fees as of June 2026: Gate fee $95 (all purchases), Environmental fee $15, Title handling $20, Buyer fee $25–12.5% depending on bid price and payment method, Virtual bid fee $0–$149 depending on bid type and amount. Late payment fee $50/vehicle. Vehicle relist fee 10% of sale price (min. $600). All fees above are for US non-licensed buyers.
Copart Fees Non Licensed
Non-licensed buyers are general public members without a dealer license. They pay Copart’s standard public fee schedule — the one shown in the tables and calculator on this page. Licensed dealers access a separate (generally lower) fee tier. If you purchase vehicles regularly, getting a dealer license in your state and registering it with Copart is worth investigating as a long-term cost reduction strategy.
Copart Sales Tax Calculator
The calculator above includes a built-in sales tax field. Enter your state’s rate (e.g., 6.25% for Texas, 7.25% for California, 0% for Oregon) and it calculates the exact tax amount on your total and adds it to the final cost. Sales tax at Copart is typically applied to the total invoice including fees, though state rules vary — confirm your local rules with your state DMV or tax authority.
Copart Buyer Fees
Copart buyer fees are the largest variable charge in your invoice. They’re determined by a tiered flat table for bids up to $14,999.99 — for example, a $3,000 bid costs $650 secured or $825 unsecured. For bids $15,000 and above, it becomes 7.5% (secured) or 12.5% (unsecured) of the bid price. The full 35-tier buyer fee table is published on this page above the FAQ section.
