How it works

How it works

The U.S. Embassy is 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.  Usually, it will be active from Monday to Friday lasting one week.  During this period, you can submit your bids for the surplus property. 

Maximum number of bids on one item is stated at each item.  Increasing your bids is possible only in the local currency.  During the auction you should monitor your bids so you can react to higher bids. 

We strongly recommend you read all the information published online regarding the condition of items being offered for sale before submitting bids, as lots are offered on an "as is and where is" basis and are nonrefundable once payment is made and cannot be returned once picked up.

Lot winners on the Embassy London Online-Auction can retrieve their goods at the below address during the designated times.

Location Address: Storawayze, 10 Wilberforce Road, West Hendon, London NW9 6AW

Viewing times for the vehicles are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30, 2024

When the auction closes at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2024, an automated email will be sent to the winners and will consist of a link to the auction application where, after successful login, you can review your items.  Please note the designated dates and times for collection on your winner's e-mail. Please PRINT your winner's email or save to your personal device as this must be presented as proof of purchase with the listed lots when making your collection.  If someone else is collecting on your behalf, please ensure they have a copy of the printed winner's email.

Please note: We do not provide packaging and postal or courier services for sending items.  Winners are required to arrange their Pickup.

Lot winners for Vehicles should make payment by money bank transfer within 5 calendar days (see ‘How to Pay’ section).  Please contact the U.S. Embassy Property Office by Email LondonGSOInventory@state.gov to confirm once payment is made and provide your full postal address and contact details. You will receive an Email confirmation once we receive payment.

You must then supply the following documents by postal recorded special delivery service mailed directly to General Services Shipping Office, Box 11, Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US and you can send the postal tracking number of confirmation by Email to LondonGSOInventory@state.gov (Please note: the winning bidder applying for new keeper ownership must have a current UK address to register a Vehicle)

1. Form V55/5 Application for first vehicle tax and registration of a used motor vehicle (form cannot be completed online).  This is the link for V55/5: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-a-used-vehicle-for-the-first-time-v555
2. Cheque or Postal Order for vehicle road tax payable to DVLA – see V149 on www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables
3. Cheque or Postal Order for first registration fee payable to DVLA (£55)
4. Proof of name and address – see V355/5 for a list of acceptable identity documents which is available from www.gov.uk/dvlaforms
5. Insurance certificate or cover note is required if the vehicle is to be registered in Northern Ireland (downloaded insurance certificates will be accepted, as will faxed copies of original or downloaded insurance certificates)

When we are in receipt of all required documents, please allow at least 7 - 14 calendar days for re-registration to be processed in order for you to receive new keeper registration document for obtaining new license plates and insurance to enable collection of your purchased Vehicle.  V5C would be posted to the address provided.  

For any questions, you should contact the DVLA Specialist Registration Team by Email: dac@dvla.gsi.gov.uk or telephone: 0300 123 1347

The Embassy takes appropriate steps to safeguard personal data provided in connection with the registration process.

Payment

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

US Embassy London Payments
IBAN:GB69-MYMB-2305-8028-4958-38
Acct Nr: 28495838
Sort Code: 23-05-80 

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 "Winners 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.

Pickup

In order to retrieve your items, you must present the 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.  Please PRINT your winner's email or save to your personal device as this must be presented as proof of purchase with the listed lots when making your collection.  If someone else is collecting on your behalf, please ensure they have a copy of the printed winner's email.

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 storage building.  From that point 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.