The Mauritius Revenue Authority’s Customs Department published a notice on 9 September 2026 inviting public tenders for the sale of abandoned and unclaimed goods currently held in customs warehouses across the island, under Quotation No. Quo202609. This exercise is conducted pursuant to Section 94 of the Customs Act 1988 and the Customs (Sale of Goods) Regulations, which authorize the disposal of goods that remain unclaimed for more than 90 days after arrival or goods forfeited due to non-compliance with customs formalities. The lots comprise a diverse range of merchandise including electronic devices, textiles, vehicle parts, and household appliances, stored at the Port Louis Harbour, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, and the Freeport Zone. Interested bidders must register with the MRA Procurement Unit by 23 September 2026, submit a refundable deposit of MUR 25,000, and attend a mandatory pre-tender viewing session scheduled for 25 September 2026. The tender closes on 30 September 2026 at 14:00. Successful bidders are required to settle the full purchase price within five working days and remove goods within 14 days, failing which storage charges accrue daily. The MRA reserves the right to reject any or all bids without assigning reasons. Proceeds from the sale are applied first to outstanding customs duties, taxes, and storage charges, with any surplus remitted to the Consolidated Fund.
Key Takeaways
- Transparent Disposal Process: The public tender mechanism ensures fair market value realization for state-held assets while clearing warehouse congestion.
- Bidder Due Diligence: Prospective buyers should inspect goods thoroughly during viewing sessions as sales are on an “as is, where is” basis with no warranties on condition or quantity.
- Customs Compliance Signal: The volume of abandoned goods reflects ongoing challenges with import documentation compliance; importers are reminded to file timely customs declarations to avoid forfeiture.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement