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Customs to auction seized e-scooters in Chennai on March 18, inspection on March 16–17
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under the Ministry of Finance has announced an e-auction of confiscated goods through MSTC Limited. The auction will be conducted by the Chennai Customs Commissionerate on March 18, 2026, according to an official notice issued from the Customs House in Chennai.
The auction includes a lot of 24 e-scooters in semi-knocked down (SKD) condition, classified as e-waste. The goods are currently stored at the Ennore Cargo Container Terminal container freight station.
Interested bidders will be allowed to inspect the goods on March 16 and March 17, 2026 before participating in the e-auction. The lot carries an earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs 40,000.
According to the customs department, the e-scooters are part of confiscated cargo linked to a bill of entry filed in December 2013, and were ordered for disposal through an official adjudication order issued in May 2014.
Since the goods fall under the e-waste category, the customs department has laid down specific eligibility conditions for bidders:
Participants must hold a valid registration certificate as an e-waste recycler issued by the relevant Pollution Control Board (PCB).
For electrical and electronic items, bidders must possess a valid Central Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificate or licence.
Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities (LMPC) registration is mandatory for packaged commodities.
Bidders are also required to ensure compliance with applicable domestic regulations such as BIS standards, environmental rules, and licences from authorities like the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) where applicable.
The customs department clarified that the goods will be sold strictly on an “as-is-where-is” basis, meaning the successful bidder will accept the items in their current condition without any guarantee regarding quality, quantity or usability.
Prospective bidders have been advised to physically inspect the cargo and verify the description, quantity and weight with the warehouse or custodian staff before placing bids.
Additional costs and GST
Successful bidders will have to pay GST at the applicable rate before taking delivery of the goods. In addition, handling, storage and other charges levied by the container freight station (CFS) must be borne by the buyer at the time of delivery.
The auction process will be conducted online through the MSTC e-auction platform, which is widely used by government departments for disposing of seized or surplus goods.
The Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai-III, under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has announced an e-auction vehicles scheduled for March 4, 2026. According to an official communication (F. No. GEN/DISP/EAUC/683/2025-WandD dated February 19, 2026) addressed to MSTC Ltd., the auction will be conducted online, with inspection of goods permitted on March 2 and March 3, 2026. The vehicles will be sold on an “as-is-where-is” basis, and participation is restricted to registered vehicle scrappers under the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Rules, 2021.
The auction features five lots of used and old vehicles currently stored at various Container Freight Stations (CFS), warehouses, and port locations in Chennai:
Lot No. 18/24
Vehicle: Old & Used Mitsubishi Lancer
Weight: Approx. 1,500 kg
Location: Chennai Container Terminal Pvt Ltd, O Yard CFS, Rajaji Salai (Inside Chennai Port, Near Zero Gate)
EMD: ₹3,000
Lot No. 11/1998
Vehicle: Maruti Esteem (Reg. No. TN09F7684)
Location: CGO DRI, M1 Godown, Chennai Port Authority
EMD: ₹2,000
Lot No. 97/25 – WH&D
Vehicle: Used EMax Scooter
Weight: Approx. 500 kg
Location: Chennai Container Terminal Pvt Ltd, O Yard CFS
EMD: ₹1,000
Lot No. 123/25 – WH&D
Vehicle: Used & Old BMW 520D SE
Weight: Approx. 1,500 kg
Location: West Quay II (Near Gate No. 5), Ambedkar Dock, Chennai Port Authority
EMD: ₹50,000
Lot No. 103/25 – WH&D
Vehicle: Used Ford C-Max SEL Hybrid
Weight: Approx. 1,636 kg
Location: Ennore Cargo Container Terminal Pvt Ltd
EMD: ₹42,500
Customs authorities have clarified that bidding will be conducted strictly on a lot basis. Only vehicle scrappers registered under the 2021 scrapping facility rules are eligible to participate. Successful bidders will be responsible for cancellation of the Registration Certificate (RC), if applicable, and must bear all related charges.
Participants are advised to physically inspect the vehicles, verify cargo description, weight and quantity with warehouse staff or custodians, and ensure compliance with applicable domestic laws including BIS certification, LMPC norms, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Pollution Control Board (PCB)/MoEF clearances, and DGFT licensing requirements before placing bids.
Additionally, bidders must ascertain handling, storage and other incidental charges directly with the respective CFS, warehouse or custodian, as these costs will be borne by the successful bidder at the time of delivery. GST, as per prevailing rates, must be paid prior to taking possession of the goods.
Entry for inspection inside the Chennai Port premises will require obtaining a gate entry pass from the Chennai Port Authority.
The e-auction will be managed by MSTC Ltd., with further coordination through Customs officials and designated contact persons at respective storage locations.
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