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How it works

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 of time 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 maximum number of bids on one item is stated for each item. Increasing your bids is possible only in the local currency name. PLEASE NOTE: LOCAL CURRENCY IS PAYABLE IN NEW LEONES. During the auction, you should monitor your bids so you can react to all bid's price development. The U.S. Embassy Freetown is not permitted to recoup amounts in excess of the original purchase price of the lots. If bids exceed the original purchase price, the auction will be voided and postponed to a later date.

Should you win any taxable items, you will need to pay all applicable taxes in Freetown to the NRA before we are able to release the item to you.  Also, all items must be picked up directly from the embassy.  There is no delivery to any other location, and we will not be able to release any item to anyone other than the person whose name is on the winning bid. 

Email for winners will consist of a link to the auction application where you can review your items, after successful login.

PROCESS:

  • The items that will be auctioned in a “as is” basis with no warranties and without refund.
  • In cases where a winning bidder refuses to pay their full bid amount, that bidder will be disqualified. The next highest bidder will then be deemed a winner and informed.  If bids exceed the original purchase price, auction of the lot will be voided and rescheduled.
  • Winning bidders will be contacted via phone and email. 
  • Payment for winning bids is only possible via bank transfer.  Winners must mention their name and bidder number on the bank transfer and pickup is a day after the payment have been made through the bank.  
  • Customs and NRA taxes WILL apply to the auction items based on the assessment of Customs and NATIONAL REVENUE AUTHORITY (NRA) representatives.  Tax may be as high as 45% of the winning bid and is in addition to your bid payment to the Embassy.  The U.S. Embassy has no method to receive and transmit taxes assessed on behalf of the NRA.  
  • Winning bidders of taxable lots will need to pay applicable customs and taxes directly to NRA.  Buyers are obliged to provide their Tax Identification Number [ TIN #] to NRA and Customs.  They will also need to provide their bidder numbers.  
  • Taxable items will be released to the buyers ONLY AFTER all the applicable the taxes have been paid and the appropriate receipt has been presented to the embassy representative.
  • FOR VEHICLE SALES, bidders must pay the full amount of their bid. Then they will be given a Bill of Sale and a Bill of Lading for customs and registration purposes, and they are expected to complete transfer of ownership process. Only after the completion of the transfer of ownership will the vehicle be released to the buyer.  Vehicles must be picked up directly from U.S. Embassy Freetown and will not be delivered to any location.  



How to pay for your items

Payment for your items is possible only by bank money transfer to the Embassy bank account: 


  1. In the item "Message for recipient" fill in word "Auction" and lot numbers you're paying for.

  2. In the item "Variable symbol" fill in your Unique Identification Number (UID) which can be found at "Winner's info" auction website section.

  3. In the item "Amount" fill in the total amount in the local currency of your bid(s).

In the case you have bid and won more than one item you can pay the total amount due of all items in one payment, but all lot items must be identified as described in item 1 above. Items can be retrieved only when successful payment has been received. Receipt of payment is considered complete when money reaches the U.S. Embassy bank account.

Note: It could take more than one day to transfer money from your bank to the U.S. Embassy bank. It will not be possible to pick up your items if your payment is not indicated on the U.S. Embassy bank account. Payment must be made within two to three working days from the time you receive notification of winning, or else the next person will be contacted


How to pick-up your items

In order to retrieve your items, you must present the original receipt of bank money transfer with all required details included in the payment paragraph above or a printed version of the Internet banking money transfer.

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. In special cases or circumstances, you may arrange a different pick-up date and time by contacting the auction manager.

After successful confirmation of payment for your items, our staff will move your items out to the front of the Embassy Warehouse. 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.