The Chattogram Custom House (CCH) is going to auction 291 containers of various unclaimed goods on Thursday.

Speaking to The Business Standard, CCH auction branch's Deputy Commissioner Farid Al Mamun said, "The CCH holds an auction every month. Accordingly, the next auction will be held on July 23.

"The CCH has finalised all necessary procedures to put up 189 catalogues for auction."

He added that 17 major types of goods will be at auction, including 97 containers of apple, 60 containers of amusement park equipment, 25 containers of MS pipes, 12 luxury cars of various models, soft drinks, generators, lights and TVs, onions and frozen meat.

There will be tender boxes in the offices of the Revenue Officer (Administration) of the Chattogram Customs House, office of the deputy commissioner and joint commissioner (headquarters), Customs Excise and VAT Commissionerate (Dhaka South), for those who want to participate in the auction.

The importers get 30 days to take delivery of their containers after unloading those from ships.

If an importer does not take delivery of the containers within the deadline, the customs department notifies them. And if the importer does not take delivery of their goods within the next 15 days after the notice, the customs authorities may put it up for auction.

Besides, the products which are seized for false declaration can also be auctioned, but products that have expired or prohibited are usually destroyed.

The number of containers eligible for auction continues to increase. In many cases, the process of handing over goods that are stuck continues even after the auction, if the importer of the goods files a writ petition with the higher court.

According to CCH sources, the last auction was held on June 30, and 387 containers of 174 catalogues were auctioned that day. Around 50 percent of the products in that auction have been delivered.