Customs Says It’s Going Ahead With E-Auction Of Seized Smuggled Goods 

Despite sweeping criticisms, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)  has restated  that its electronic auction (e-auction), platform at https://app.trade.gov.ng/eauction/ is still functional.

The service averred that the platform  remains the only authentic means of auctioning goods to members of the public.

Timi Bomodi,  National Public Relations Officer,  NCS, in a statement for the Controller General of  Customs, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali  (Rtd), said that the  reminder was pertinent in light of rumours making the rounds that a special auction of over 7000 cars would soon be held by the Service.

Bomodi, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs said: “We wish to state that auctions are periodic and advertised in advance on our website to avail members of the public the opportunity of selecting and bidding for items of their choice.

“It will be recalled that the Service deployed the e-auction platform in July 2017 specifically to improve efficiency in revenue generation to the federal government, as well as provide equal opportunities to all Nigerians in the seamless disposal of seized/condemned and overtime/abandoned cargoes.

“Since its implementation, the e-auction has lived up to expectations by guaranteeing transparency and integrity in the auctioning process.”

The Customs National image maker explained that requirements to take part in the e-auction bidding process by interested public/bidders include:

“Applicant must have a valid tax identification number (TIN) issued by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), with an active e-mail account for the issued TIN.

“Conditions and Terms of this auction are to be carefully considered by an interested person before acceptance.

“Applicant must ensure he/she has an authentic and nationally accepted means of identification i.e. international passport, driver’s license, national identity card or voters card.”

He said  other guidelines could be found on the e-auction portal at https://app.trade.gov.ng/eauction/.

He called on the  owners of uncleared vehicles at Customs  ports to avail themselves of the VIN-Valuation protocols, which have simplified, automated and made user-friendly the clearance procedure.