(BSS) - Chattogram Custom House has initiated an e-auction of five containers of perishable goods, including 47,440 kg of fresh apples and 78,300 kg of fresh ginger, lying at Chattogram Port.

The five containers contain a total of 125,740 kg (nearly 126 tonnes) of goods, with a combined reserve price of around Tk 1.8 crore.

Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram Custom House Nazmul Hossain, who is in charge of auctions, confirmed the matter today, saying the e-auction notice was issued on November 3.

Interested bidders can submit their bids online from 9:00 am on November 4 until 2:00 pm on November 9.

According to the auction notice, two 40-foot containers hold 23,720 kg of apples each, with a reserve price of Tk 46,41,619.21 per container, totalling Tk 92,83,238.42.

The remaining three 40-foot containers contain fresh ginger, including 24,300 kg in one container and 27,000 kg in each of the other two. The combined reserve price for the ginger consignments is Tk 87,07,861.55.

The total reserve price for all five containers stands at Tk 1,79,91,099.97.

Prospective bidders can inspect the goods at the port during office hours on November 5. As the goods will be sold on an `as is where is` basis, bidders have been advised to verify their nature, quantity, quality and condition before participating in the auction.

To participate, bidders must submit a security deposit equivalent to five percent of the reserve price through a pay order, bank draft or demand draft issued by any scheduled bank in favour of the Commissioner, Custom House, Chattogram, along with the required documents.

The bids will be opened at 2:30 pm on November 9 at the auction branch of the Custom House.

The successful bidder, subject to approval of the highest bid, will have to pay 10 percent advance income tax and 15 percent VAT on the bid amount before taking delivery of the goods in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

Nazmul Hossain said the auction initiative aims to ensure the quick, transparent and competitive disposal of perishable goods, reduce congestion at the port, free up valuable storage space and protect government revenue.

He noted that prolonged storage of perishable goods at the port risks deterioration in quality while occupying valuable space, making their timely disposal essential for improving port capacity and ensuring proper revenue collection.