The Bengaluru Customs office at Kempegowda International Airport is set to conduct a major e-auction of high-value seized electronics later this month. The digital sale, scheduled for December 30, will see a total of 227 confiscated, seized, and unclaimed electronic items go under the hammer as a single, consolidated lot.
What's Up for Grabs? Premium Gadgets in Bulk
The inventory, currently stored in the customs godown at the airport, is dominated by premium smartphones and wearables. The highlight of the auction is a massive collection of 175 Apple iPhones spanning multiple models and variants. Accompanying these are 26 high-end Android flagship phones, 21 Apple smartwatches, four iPads, and one large 65-inch television.
All these items were seized under 22 separate detention memos. The customs department has clarified that everything will be sold strictly on an 'as-is-where-is' basis. This critical condition means the authorities will not provide any guarantee regarding the functionality or condition of the devices, placing the onus of quality assessment and valuation entirely on the bidders.
Strict Rules for Bidders and the Auction Process
This auction is specifically targeted at bulk traders, refurbishment companies, and authorised recyclers, given the large, single-lot nature of the sale. It will be hosted on the official platform of the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation (MSTC) Limited and is open exclusively to registered buyers on that portal.
A senior Bengaluru customs official outlined the stringent participation criteria. "The auction falls under the reverse charge mechanism (RCM), making a valid GST registration mandatory for any bidder," the official stated. This mechanism transfers the full responsibility of tax payment and statutory compliance to the successful buyer.
Interested parties can physically inspect the items at the customs godown until December 29 to assess their nature, quantity, and condition. The department has made it clear that no complaints regarding defects, shortages, or functionality will be entertained after the bidding concludes.
Rigid Payment Timelines and Penalties
The customs department has set non-negotiable payment deadlines for the winning bidder. The rules include strict provisions for post-bid earnest money deposits and the timeline for the balance payment. Any delay in adhering to these schedules will attract penalties.
The consequences for default are severe. Failure to comply with the payment timelines can result in the forfeiture of the deposited earnest money and even the temporary deactivation of the bidder's account on the MSTC platform. This move underscores the department's intent to ensure a swift and smooth disposal process for the seized goods.
