Finnish Customs auction off bikes left by illegal migrants

250 bikes of different types and sizes must go

Finnish Customs announced that they will hold an auction tomorrow, 20 July, to sell off 250 bicycles seized by people who had illegally crossed the eastern border with Russia. The previous owners of the two-wheelers dropped them off when apprehended and then went on to apply for asylum in Finland.

Since the Customs agency has no space or interest to hold on to these bikes, they have decided to sell them to people interested in acquiring one. However, the agency is also quick to inform that this will be a generally no-frills auction so wannabe buyers should not expect too much.

Here are the conditions for the auction

The bicycle auction will take place at Kansantie 1 in the town of Salla (in Lapland) at 10:00 AM. Prospective buyers can go earlier to preview the bicycles from 9:30 AM.

Finnish Customs is not responsible for defects or errors in bicycles or other characteristics. The agency also indicates that it is not responsible for the quality, condition, safety of use or suitability for the original purpose of use of the bicycles.

The purchase price of the goods must be paid no later than one hour after the end of the auction. The buyer gets ownership of the sold item, and the item is handed over to him when the purchase price has been paid. Customs may cancel the sale if the buyer does not pay the purchase price within the specified time.

Once the buyer pays for the bicycle, he should take it away by 6:00 PM otherwise he will forfeit ownership and he won’t be able to get his money back.

Finnish Customs is clear that it doesn’t do refunds or exchanges.  VAT of 24% is added to the auction price, however, the auction is still a good chance for people to get an affordably priced bicycle.