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In many cases, the gadgets were either brought into the country without proper declaration or left behind by travelers who failed to complete customs formalities.
Buyers must accept the items in their existing condition, and any after-sales complaints related to defects, damage or missing components will not be entertained. (Image: Canva)
As air travel volumes increase and enforcement checks intensify, customs departments at major Indian airports are increasingly dealing with unclaimed and confiscated baggage. A similar exercise is now set to take place in Bengaluru, where customs officials are preparing to dispose of a large batch of seized electronic items through a structured online auction later this month.
Bengaluru Customs at Kempegowda International Airport will conduct e-auction of seized, seized and unclaimed electronic gadgets on December 30, 2025. The auction will be conducted through the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Limited online platform, commonly known as MSTC, which is used by several government departments for transparent disposal of consignments.
Description of items to be auctioned
A total of 227 electronic items will be auctioned under this process. The inventory includes a wide range of high-value consumer electronics. These include 175 Apple iPhones of various models, 26 Android smartphones, 21 Apple smartwatches, four iPads and a 65-inch television set.
Customs officials said these items were seized or seized in connection with 22 separate cases at the Kempegowda International Airport. In many cases, the gadgets were either brought into the country without proper declaration or left behind by travelers who failed to complete customs formalities. Over time, as the goods remained unclaimed, they became eligible for disposal under customs rules.
Auction Format and Terms of Sale
The entire consignment of 227 items will be sold as a single consolidated unit rather than as separate pieces. Officials said the approach is aimed at attracting bulk buyers such as electronics traders, refurbishers and authorized recyclers rather than individual retail consumers.
All items will be sold strictly on an as-is, where-is basis. This means that the Customs Department will not give any guarantee regarding the condition, quality, functionality or completeness of the gadget. Buyers must accept the items in their existing condition, and any after-sales complaints related to defects, damage or missing components will not be entertained.
Inspection Window for Interested Bidders
To allow bidders to take informed decisions, customs officials have provided a physical inspection window. Interested participants will be allowed to inspect the goods till December 29, a day before the auction date.
During this inspection period, bidders can verify the number of items and assess their external condition. However, officials clarified that no functional testing, charging or technical verification of the gadget will be allowed. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to evaluate the potential risks and value.
Eligibility and Registration Requirements
Participation in the auction is limited to buyers registered on the MSTC portal. Additionally, bidders must have valid Goods and Services Tax registration. Customs officials said this requirement is mandatory and non-negotiable.
The auction will be conducted under reverse charge mechanism. Under this system, the buyer is responsible for paying applicable taxes and fulfilling statutory obligations related to the transaction. Officials said this ensures tax compliance while disposing of unclaimed or seized goods.
Payment Terms and Penalties
Successful bidders will be required to adhere to strict payment deadlines after the auction ends. It involves depositing the earnest money and paying the balance within the period specified by MSTC.
Failure to comply with the payment schedule may result in forfeiture of the deposit. In some cases, a bidder’s MSTC account may also be temporarily suspended, preventing participation in future auctions until the issue is resolved.
purpose of auction
Customs officials said the auction serves multiple purposes. It helps clear storage space in customs warehouses, ensures transparent disposal of seized goods and prevents long-term accumulation of unclaimed high-value goods.
For businesses involved in electronics refurbishing or recycling, auctions provide access to premium equipment that may not be available through traditional resale channels. Also, the structured auction process allows the Customs Department to realize value while adhering to regulatory and taxation norms.
December 24, 2025, 11:00 IST
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