Preparations are being made to auction off the 32 vehicles from China that were impounded by Customs more than six months ago.
The consignees had been given a September 12 deadline to return the vehicles at their own expense; however, not a single one responded.
Chief Of Customs Iuliano Falaniko told a Senate hearing during the last Fono session that options being considered were to destroy the vehicles locally or to auction them off and remove them from the territory.
KHJ News followed up with the Customs Chief if a decision has been made regarding what to do with the vehicles.
He said that the vehicles will be auctioned off and this will happen soon.
Falaniko explained that Customs is working with the Attorney General’s Office on guidelines for the auction before making an announcement, but he said the auction would take place soon.
The vehicles were withheld by customs because they did not meet several transportation safety regulations and standards. For example, they did not have U.S.-recognized Vehicle Identification Numbers, lacked Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards certification labels verifying that the vehicles conform to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, and the manufacturers were not registered with the National Highway Traffic Administration.
The vehicles cannot be used in the territory.
KHJ News understands that some business people in Samoa have shown interest in the vehicles, which are allowed there.
