Federal Surplus Personal Property Program Restrictions

Donees can learn about restrictions they must agree to in order to receive federal surplus personal property.

In order to receive an item of federal surplus personal property, the donee must agree to specific restrictions for its use and specific time periods for placing it in use. The restrictions are tied to the original acquisition cost of the item, or if the item is a motor vehicle, or if it is an item that the Federal Government has categorized as an "In Perpetuity Item."

Restrictions

  • If the item had an original acquisition cost of less than $5,000, the Donee must agree to place the item in use for the purpose for which it was intended within 12 months from the date the Donee picked it up and must agree to place it in continuous use for 12 months from the date the Donee first placed it in use. During this period of restriction, the Donee may not sell, trade, lease, lend, bail, cannibalize, encumber, or otherwise dispose of the item or remove it permanently for use outside the State of California without the prior approval of the California Federal Surplus Personal Property (CFSPP) program or the Federal General Services Administration.
  • If the item had an original acquisition cost of $5,000 or more or is a passenger motor vehicle, regardless of its original acquisition cost, the Donee must agree to it place in use for the purpose for which it was intended within 12 months from the date the Donee picked it up, and must agree to place it in continuous use for 18 months from the date the Donee first placed it in use. During this period of restriction the Donee may not sell, trade, lease, lend, bail, cannibalize, encumber, or otherwise dispose of the item or remove it permanently for use outside the State of California without the prior approval of the CFSPP or the Federal General Services Administration.
  • If the item is categorized as an "In Perpetuity Item", regardless of the original acquisition cost of the item, title to the item remains with the Federal Government and never passes to the Donee, and the Donee is never permitted to sell, trade, lease, lend, bail, cannibalize, encumber, or otherwise dispose of the item or remove it permanently outside the State of California.