Customs resumes electronic auction sales

Abiola Seun |

The Nigeria Customs Service has resumed its abandoned online auction sales of seized goods at the ports.

The electronic platform, which was introduced in 2017 to replace the manual auction sales, was abruptly abandoned after fits and starts that characterised its introduction.

However, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it has resumed the electronic auction of seized vehicles that has gone through court condemnation.

Spokesman for the NCS, Joseph Attah who announced the resumption in a press release circulated on social media, added that bidding period will be 48 hours starting by 12noon on Mondays and terminates same time on Wednesdays

Attah, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs , also said the electronic platform will be opened live for interested persons with valid Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) issued by Federal Inland Revenue Service.

He concluded that the system will be devoid of any form of human or physical interaction

He wrote “Following the re-engineering of the Nigeria Customs Service e-auction process, the electronic portal is now opened (live) for interested persons with valid Tax Identification Number (TIN) to log in and bid for items of their choice.

“The link is: app.trade.gov.ng/eauction.
“As usual, the bidding period for every week is 48 hours, beginning from Monday 12noon to Wednesday 12noon.

“Please note that the process is fully automated and requires no physical intervention of any kind to win.

“While you choose and make your bid along side other interested Nigerians, we wish you good luck” he said.

The resuscitation of the otherwise moribund electronic auction platform is expected to decongest the already congested Customs warehouses filled with seized goods all over the country.