How it works

How It Works

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

Bids can only be increased 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 following the conclusion of the auction.

Auction Rules:

To ensure a fair and transparent auction process, please take note of the following rules:
• Each participant must use a single account for bidding.
• Multiple accounts used by the same individual for bidding are strictly prohibited.
• Only the official winners of an auction lot are allowed to make payments for their successful bids.
• Payments on behalf of another bidder are not permitted.
• Violating these rules may result in bid cancellation, payment forfeiture and suspension from future auctions.

Terms and Conditions:

• ALL SALES ARE FINAL. The sale will be considered closed when the buyer signs the receipt at the time of pickup.
• All assets are sold in their current condition, “as is,” with no guarantee regarding their functionality or condition. The U.S. Embassy Paris makes no warranties, express or implied.
• Bidders are strongly encouraged to assess the condition of items based exclusively on the photographs provided. In-person inspection is not permitted under any circumstance. By placing a bid, participants acknowledge they have reviewed and understood the Terms and Conditions of Sale as well as the How It Works section available on the auction platform.
• All sales are irrevocable. No exchanges, returns, or refunds will be considered or accepted under any condition.
• Successful bidders are solely responsible for all arrangements and associated costs related to the removal of purchased items. All items must be collected in full. Partial pickups, failure, or refusal to collect your items will result in disqualification from future auctions and forfeiture of any payments made.
• Bidders interested in vehicles are allowed up to 10 bids per vehicle.
• All vehicle auctions are subject to a mandatory bid validation process. Therefore, all bidders are required to submit a clear copy of a valid government-issued photo ID to parisauctionbidvalidation@groups.state.gov before the close of the auction. 

Acceptable forms of identification include:

• A valid national identity card

• A driver’s license

• An international passport

Only bidders who successfully complete the validation process will be authorized to proceed with payment, provided they are the winning bidder.  Please note: No payment should be made until you receive an official validation email from our team confirming your eligibility.

Important Notice Regarding Vehicles:

• The U.S. Embassy sells vehicles "as is," without a contrôle technique (French technical inspection).
• While any known defects will be disclosed, no warranties are provided concerning the vehicle’s operational condition.
• Buyers will be responsible for all fees and taxes associated with the purchase. This includes customs duties, which must be paid directly by the purchaser.
• Bidders are strongly encouraged to verify the exact registration process for vehicles purchased from a diplomatic mission. Vehicles with "USA specifications" may require specific inspections and modifications before they can be registered in France. The buyer will bear all costs related to these processes.
• The U.S. Embassy will not assist in the registration or exportation of vehicles, and the buyer assumes full responsibility for these procedures, including all related customs duties.
• French VAT (TVA) must be paid by all winning bidders, regardless of the country of residence, except for U.S. Embassy diplomats.

We appreciate your understanding of these terms and encourage all bidders to carefully consider the responsibilities associated with purchasing surplus property, particularly vehicles.

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 :

1. 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
2. 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.