Eight unusable vehicles lying at Chattogram Customs House to be sold at auction

The customs authorities have taken steps to sell at auction eight unusable vehicles that have been lying at the Chattogram Customs House premises for a long time.

The auction list includes four Mitsubishi Pajeros, three Toyota saloons and one Toyota Land Cruiser. The vehicles, made between 1991 and 2009, will be sold in their present condition.

The information was given in an auction notice issued on Monday from the administration branch of Chattogram Customs House. Signed by Assistant Commissioner (Preventive and Administration) Sharif Muhammad Al Amin, the notice invites sealed-envelope bids from interested individuals and organisations.

According to the notice, bids must be submitted to the designated tender box at Chattogram Customs House by 12 noon on 25 November. The bids will be opened the same day at 12:30 pm in the presence of the bidders, if any are present.

The four Mitsubishi Pajeros on the auction list are of the 2009, 2004, 2000 and 1995 models. The three Toyota saloons are of the 1996, 1996 and 1995 models. The Toyota Land Cruiser is of the 1991 model. All the vehicles were made in Japan.

The notice says the catalogue and tender documents for the vehicles can be collected from the tender cell during office hours from 10 to 24 November. The price of the catalogue and tender documents has been fixed at 500 taka for each vehicle. The amount must be paid through a designated challan and is non-refundable.

A security deposit of 10 per cent of each vehicle's reserve price must be submitted with the bid through a pay order. Bidders must also submit copies of their updated trade licence, income tax certificate, VAT registration certificate and national identity card.

Institutions must apply on their own letterhead and individuals on plain paper, mentioning their name, full address and contact information.

The selected bidder must deposit the full bid amount in the government treasury within seven working days of receiving the letter of acceptance. Applicable VAT, advance income tax and other taxes must also be paid under the prevailing law.

Failure to collect the vehicle within the stipulated time will result in forfeiture of the security deposit. In that case, the next bidder will be considered for the auction.

Interested buyers can inspect the vehicles in person at the Chattogram Customs House premises every day during office hours from 12 noon to 4 pm. The notice makes clear, however, that the vehicles declared unusable are not eligible for re-registration.

Assistant Commissioner (Preventive and Administration) Sharif Muhammad Al Amin said the unusable vehicles lying at the Customs House premises for a long time are being sold at auction in accordance with the rules. Interested individuals and organisations can take part in the bidding by fulfilling the prescribed conditions, and the auction will be completed with transparency and in line with the rules.