How it works

How it works

The U.S. Embassies are selling surplus movable property (SMP) via a Web Based Electronic Auction. Each auction will be activated for a period clearly stating the start and end date. This information is available on the information panel of the web application. During this period, you can actively take part and submit your bid for the surplus property. 

The auction is live and active 24 hours per day, every day.  At any time while the auction is active, you may submit your bid for the lots that are put in the Auction.   To bid on any lots, you must register on the website and log in on subsequent visits, and you must abide by the requirements and regulations set forth on the website.  Prior to the start of the auction, you can browse the lots online, but you cannot place a bid.  

When there is a maximum number of bids you may place on a lot, it is stated for each lot.  Each lot may also have a minimum and/or maximum amount that bids can be raised.  These amounts will be clearly stated.  All bidding will be done in Francs CFA. 

During the auction you should watch the progress of your bids so you can act if somebody outbids you and you want to post a higher bid.  Please pay close attention to when the auction is going to end.  The person with the highest bid at the end of the auction is the winner of the lot. 

At the end of the auction, if you are a winner, you will receive an email with a link back to the website where you can review the lots you have won, after successful login. 

All lot winners must pay for the lots won within two days after they are notified.  Payment should be in cash at the embassy following the instructions in the "How to Pay" section.  Winners must pick up their lots in person, either by the winners themselves or through representatives authorized by the registered winners. All lots must be paid for prior to being picked up. 

Winners who fail to make prompt payment according to the instructions below will be blocked from participation in future auctions.  If the winner with the highest bid fails to pay within two working days, the U.S. Embassy reserves the right to award the lot to the next highest bidder or reserve the lot for inclusion in the next auction. 

The U.S. Embassy does not provide any warranties on working order or condition of the items sold on auction even if such information is provided in the description of the specific lot. Customers are responsible for paying all local taxes related with the purchase they make on the online auction. This auction is non-refundable, return or exchange is not allowed, items are sold as is. Customers are responsible for picking up items they purchased on a date and time specified by the Embassy in the email notification. 

How to pay for your items

Payment

1. Payment for online items won from a U.S. Embassy Cotonou online auction should be made to the U.S. Embassy Cashier Counter.  All payments must be made in CASH.
2. All receipts must reflect the amount deposited and match the winning bid price(s). 
3. Taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). You will be asked an additional amount representing 1% of the winning bid for registration formalities to abide by the legislation in Benin.
4. Items can be retrieved only when successful payment has been received.
5. All payments, regardless of scheduled pickup date, must be made within two (2) working days after the winner is notified.
6. All winners that have met the above requirements should present proof of payment (cash deposit slip) and a valid photo ID to pick up their lots at the designated time.
7. All winners who may not be able to pick up personally should let their representatives present proof of payment, an authority note, a copy of the winner's photo ID as well as a valid photo ID of their representative to pick up the lot(s) at the designated time.
8. Winners who fail to pay for the lots they won will forfeit the items and will be blocked from participation in future auctions. 

How to pick-up your items

Pickup

In order to retrieve your items, you must present the original receipt of payment with all required details.

Any paid items that are not picked up during the scheduled time frame will be disposed of, and there will be no possibility for their retrieval.

After successful confirmation of payment for your items, our staff will move your items out to the front of the storage building. From that time on, you are the owner of your merchandise. You will have the full responsibility for subsequent handling procedures and removal from Embassy property in a timely manner. If items are not removed in a timely manner they may be considered abandoned and disposed of.