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.
Increasing your bids is possible only in the local currency which is the Euro €. During the auction, you should monitor your bids so you can react to price developments.
Successful bidders will be notified via email immediately following the conclusion of an auction.
ALL SALES ARE FINAL and are considered to be closed when the buyer signs the receipt at the time of pick up.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING VEHICLES:
The U.S. Embassy sells vehicles “as is” without a “contrôle technique”. While all known defects will be identified, no warranties are implied concerning operating conditions. Bidders will be required to pay all associated fees and taxes. Payment of any/all customs duties is the responsibility of the purchaser. Bidders are also strongly encouraged to verify the exact registration process for vehicles purchased from a diplomatic mission. Vehicles with "USA specs" may need specific inspection and modifications to be registered in France, the buyer bears all cost and responsibility for these procedures. The Embassy bears no responsibility in assisting the buyer(s) with the registration of auctioned / sold vehicles. No assistance can be given for exporting the car to another country. Buyer is responsible for exportation and all customs duties due. Due to stringent documentation requirements by the French Foreign Ministry, ALL winners, regardless of country of residence, must pay the French TVA taxes (with the exception of US Embassy diplomats only).
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 (for vehicles, please refer to the special instructions below) :
The U.S. Embassy's bank account information is as follows:
Bank: Societe Generale
Code Banque: 30003
Code Guichet: 03392
No. Compte: 00050362988
Cle RIB: 73
IBAN: FR76 3000 3033 9200 0503 6298 873
BIC-ADRESSE SWIFT: SOGEFRPP
If you have bid and won more than one Lot you can pay the total amount due of all Lots in one payment. Lots 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 several days to transfer money from your bank to the U.S. Embassy bank. It will not be possible to pick up your Lot(s) if your payment is not indicated on the U.S. Embassy bank account or if you do not have your OF-158 receipt of payment.
SPECIAL PROCDURE for vehicles: Payment can be made by electronic funds transfer or by Bank Draft (cheque banquière). A separate Bank Draft for the amount of tax made out to "Trésor Public" must be delivered to the Embassy. After receipt of full payment and taxes, the Embassy will process the relevant documentation needed to complete the sale. Once all documents have been processed, the winner will be notified, pick up of vehicle and relevant documentation will be in Paris 08.
How to Pickup Your Items
Each auction will display the pick-up address for your merchandise. Pick up locations may vary. In order to retrieve your items, you must present a printed copy of your OF-158 payment receipt which will list the lots you have won. This receipt will be provided by to you by email after the Embassy has received and processed your payment.
Pick-up must be within 5 business days after notification of payment and receipt of your receipt (which you must present for pickup)- by appointment. You will have the full responsibility for subsequent handling procedures and removal of Embassy property within these dates. If items are not removed in a timely manner, they will be considered abandoned and disposed of.
PLEASE NOTE: All items are sold as is. The sale is considered final when the items are retrieved and the receipt is signed by the buyer or their designee.
The Embassy will dispose of all items not picked up by the deadline. There are no exceptions to this rule and the Embassy will not provide refunds for items not picked up before the deadline.
Please note that the Embassy warehouse does not deliver items purchased at the auction. Therefore, all buyers are responsible for picking up their own purchases. No assistance will be given to load your vehicle so please ensure that you come with adequate help to manage your merchandise.
For collection of vehicles please refer to the information in the "How to Pay" section.
