How it works

How It Works

The U.S. Embassies conduct the sale of surplus movable property (SMP) through an online Web-Based Electronic Auction platform. Each auction is live for a specified period, with clear start and end dates displayed on the auction’s information panel. During this time, you can place bids on the available surplus property.

Bids can only be made in the local currency, Euros (€). It is important to actively monitor your bids during the auction to respond to any price changes or competition.

Notification of Winning Bid: Successful bidders will be notified via email immediately after the conclusion of the auction.

Bidder Validation Requirement

Bidder Identification: All bidders are required to submit a valid government-issued photo identification (national identity card, driver’s license, or passport) to parisauctionbidvalidation@groups.state.govprior to the commencement of the auction.
Previously Submitted IDs: Bidders who have already submitted a valid ID during a previous auction are not required to resubmit it.
Bidder Validation: Only bidders who have been formally validated will be authorized to proceed with payment in the event of a successful bid.
Payment Requirement: Payments must not be made until an official bid validation confirmation email has been received. Any payment made prior to receiving this confirmation will be deemed invalid and will not be refunded.

Note: This ID submission requirement applies to all asset classes, including vehicles and non-vehicle assets.

Auction Rules

To ensure a fair and transparent auction process, please note the following rules:

Each participant may only use one account for bidding.
Multiple accounts used by the same individual are strictly prohibited.
Only the official winners of a lot are permitted to make payments.
Payments on behalf of another bidder are not allowed.
Violations of these rules may result in bid cancellation, forfeiture of payment, and suspension from future auctions.

Terms and Conditions

All Sales Are Final: Sales are considered closed when the buyer signs the receipt at the time of pickup.
As-Is Sales: All assets are sold in their current condition, “as is,” with no guarantee of functionality or condition. The U.S. Embassy Paris provides no warranties.
Inspection: Bidders must assess items solely based on photographs provided. On-site inspection is not permitted.
Irrevocable: No exchanges, returns, or refunds are permitted under any circumstances.
Pickup Responsibility: Successful bidders are responsible for all arrangements and costs related to removing purchased items. All lots must be collected in full during a single visit. Partial pickups or failure to collect items may result in disqualification from future auctions and forfeiture of payments.

Vehicles

Vehicle auctions are subject to the same ID validation process as all other assets.
Vehicles are sold as-is, without a French technical inspection (contrôle technique).
Any known defects will be disclosed, but no warranties are provided regarding operational condition.
Buyers are responsible for all fees and taxes, including customs duties.
Registration of vehicles purchased from a diplomatic mission may require specific inspections or modifications. The buyer bears all associated costs.
The U.S. Embassy will not assist with registration or exportation.

How to pay for your items

How to pay:

Payment is due within two working days and payment for your items is possible only by Electronic Funds Transfer to the U.S. Embassy bank account. Once your payment has been made, please send your proof of payment to the following email address immediately: parisauctionpayments@groups.state.gov

Failure to send proof of payment will result in disqualification of your winning bid and a ban from future auctions, even if the payment has been made.

Payment Instructions :

Message for Recipient:

Include the word "Auction"
Enter your Unique Identification Number (UID), which can be found in the "Winners Information" section of the auction website
Specify the lot number(s) you are paying for

Amount:

Enter the total amount in Euros (€) for your winning bid(s).

U.S. Embassy Bank Account Information:

Bank: Société Générale
Code Banque: 30003
Code Guichet: 03392
Account Number: 00050362988
Cle RIB: 73
IBAN: FR76 3000 3033 9200 0503 6298 873
BIC/SWIFT: SOGEFRPP

Once the payment has been received and verified, we will process the necessary documentation to finalize the sale of the vehicle.

Note:

If you have won multiple lots, you may make a single combined payment for the total amount due.
Your lot(s) will only be available for pickup once payment has been received and processed.
Payment is considered complete when the funds have been credited to the U.S. Embassy’s bank account.
It may take several days for the transfer to be processed.
Pickup will not be permitted unless the payment is reflected in the U.S. Embassy’s bank account.
You must have the official OF-158 receipt of payment to collect your lot(s).

Special Procedure for Vehicles: For vehicles purchased, please ensure that you follow the special payment instructions outlined below:

Payment for vehicles can be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or by Bank Draft (chèque bancaire) for the tax payment.
If using a Bank Draft, it must be made out to "Trésor Public" and delivered directly to the Embassy.
Once full payment, including taxes, has been received, the Embassy will process the relevant documentation needed to complete the sale.
After processing the documents, the winner will be notified, and arrangements for vehicle pickup and relevant documentation will be made at the U.S. Embassy in Paris 08.

How to pick-up your items

How to Pick up Your Items

Each auction will display the pick-up address for your merchandise. Pickup locations may vary.
To retrieve your items, you must present a printed copy of your OF-158 payment receipt, which lists the lots you have won. This receipt will be provided to you by email after the Embassy has received and processed your payment.

Pickup Details:

Pickup must be completed within 5 business days after payment notification and receipt confirmation.
Pickup is by appointment only. You will have full responsibility for handling and removing the items within the given time frame.
Items not removed within the allowed time will be considered abandoned and disposed of.

Important Notes:

All items are sold "as is." The sale is final once the items are retrieved, and the receipt is signed by you or your designee.
The Embassy will dispose of any items not picked up by the deadline. No exceptions will be made, and no refunds will be provided for items not retrieved before the deadline.
The Embassy warehouse does not deliver auction items. All buyers are responsible for picking up their own purchases.
No assistance will be given to load your vehicle, so please ensure you come with adequate help to manage your items.
The items sold are not inclusive of the pallets. Therefore, if you require pallets for transport, you will need to arrange for your own pallets or appropriate packaging.

For vehicle collection, please refer to the information in the "How to Pay" section.