The entrance to Mahajanga port, the entry point for imported goods. Two lots have been withdrawn from the upcoming public auction by sealed bid, scheduled for September 21-25 at the Mahajanga Customs offices. Officials discovered that merchandise in two containers consisted of expired dairy products. They were subsequently sealed at Mahajanga port.
This discovery occurred as the Mahajanga Customs office was preparing to organize an auction of forty-three lots of merchandise. Agents from the Regional Commerce and Consumer Affairs Directorate (DRCC) of Boeny conducted an inspection on September 7. They found that the expiration date of the products had long passed.
"Lots numbers 13 and 14 are excluded from the sale since the merchandise, condensed milk, is already expired according to inspection results. The procedure for destroying products unfit for consumption is already underway," states an official statement signed September 11 by Customs Receiver Russel Gérard Biankinana.
"The products, whose expiration date was April 2026, remained at Mahajanga port due to non-payment of customs duties by the importing company. At the request of the Customs Receiver, DRCC Boeny inspected them on September 7, 2026," explains the Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Regarding the auction, the Mahajanga Customs Receiver also clarified the deadlines to be observed after posting the ballot count results. "These deadlines must be respected to ensure the proper conduct of the sale, in accordance with the public auction notice by sealed bid, and to preserve the rights of all participants. Payment of 14% of the hammer price to the auctioneer must be made before September 28 at 11 a.m. IM9 declarations must be registered and settled before September 28 at 5 p.m. In case of default by the first buyer, the second must pay the auctioneer 14% of the price corresponding to their bid before September 28 at 5 p.m.," the statement specifies.
Access to the port for viewing lots stored in warehouses will be free from September 21-23, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.