Bidding For Confiscated Items , Now Electronic Auction. Nigeria Customs

In an attempt to ensure the public have seamless access to purchase seized items during auction by the Nigerian Customs Service, the agency has opened an electronic e-auction platform for the purpose. Disclosing the new technology, the Comptroller General of Customs,Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) told any body interested in the purchase of seized items form the Service to do so through the e-auction platform at https://app.trade.gov.ng/auction. He stated the move is to eliminate the intractable activities on on-line criminals who open fake facebook accounts and make use of other on-line marketing channles to defraud unsuspecting public under the guise that they will buy seized items being auctioned by Customs.

The process according to Ali will also ensure that all proceeds from auctioned items are paid directly into government coffers as applicants are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of One Thousand Naira only as administrative charge and winners will also pay the winning prize within a stipulated period. According to the Comptroller General, all who want to participate in the e-auction process must have a valid TIN issued by the FIRS with an active e-mail account.

The applicant are also expected to note that any item purchased through the platform shall not be returned for exchange, replacement or reimbursement as “an Item is auctioned “as is” as such request for replacement or refund shall not be entertained.” The successful bidder shall make payment within five (5) working days, failure to pay within five (5) working days the item reverts to the second (2nd) highest bidder.

NCS also stated that successful bidder has two (2) weeks from the date of payment to remove the item bidded for or forfeit same at the expiration of the two (2) weeks. Applicants are warned that any auction item not removed from the warehouse within fourteen (14) days from the date of payment shall revert to its pre-bidding status and the winner shall forfeit any payment made for such item. The Comptroller further warned “Take note for overtime cargo, that the successful bidder shall in addition pay 25% charges for Shipping line and Terminal operator respectively’. To ensure that the public makes maximum use of the opportunity to purchase as much items as they may wish, NCS explained that bidders shall be allowed to bid for more than 2 items per bidding window.

To ensure that successful bidders are not swindled during the process of claiming the winning items, NCS stated that successful winners shall present among other things, ” A valid copy of paid assessment and bank receipt (optional in case of e-payment); e-mailed code to identify owner after payment; a notarized letter in case owner sends representative (where owner is present uploaded photo on registration will do.),provide proper identification with the notarized letter such as International passport, Driver’s licence, Voters card or National I.D” while third pary claims shall not be entertained. NCS disclosed that the electronic auction channel is a real time transaction and shall operate only Twenty-Eight (28) days in a month.

To ensure transparency and fairness, the Comptroller General stated that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service are excluded from participating in this auction as well as owners of the seized items.