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This document is published in English, and the English version is the binding one. The French version is a translation provided for convenience; if the two differ in meaning, the English prevails.
This Public Auction Regulation Code ("Code") sets the operating standards for auctions conducted through Online Auctions24.
Our objective is to provide a transparent, fair, secure, and auditable auction process for buyers, sellers, banks, insurers, public institutions, development partners, UN agencies, and other organisations.
This Code applies to all public auctions listed on the Online Auctions24 Platform unless a specific auction notice or written agreement states otherwise. It must be read together with our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and the terms published for the relevant auction.
Online Auctions24 is committed to the following principles:
Online Auctions24 is an administrator-managed online auction platform. Unless expressly stated in the applicable auction terms, we act as an auction facilitator or agent and do not own the lots offered for sale.
The seller or consignor is responsible for having the legal authority to sell the lot and for providing accurate information, documents, and instructions for the auction.
Online Auctions24 may review, organise, publish, postpone, suspend, withdraw, or correct a listing where necessary to protect auction integrity, comply with law, address a material error, or follow the lawful instruction of the seller or a competent authority.
Each auction will be published through the Platform with an auction notice containing, where applicable:
Online Auctions24 may correct an obvious listing error. Where a correction is material, we may pause, extend, reschedule, or cancel the auction to ensure fairness.
Lots are generally sold on an "as is, where is" basis, with all faults, unless specific auction terms provide otherwise.
Descriptions, photographs, condition reports, valuations, and statements about a lot are provided for information only. They do not replace the buyer's duty to inspect the lot and conduct independent due diligence.
Before bidding, buyers are responsible for verifying, where relevant:
Where inspection is offered, buyers are strongly encouraged to inspect before bidding. A buyer who cannot attend an inspection remains responsible for their bidding decision.
A buyer must create an account and provide accurate, complete, and current information before bidding.
Online Auctions24 may require email verification, telephone verification, proof of identity, business registration documents, authority letters, or other compliance information before allowing a buyer to bid.
We may approve, reject, restrict, suspend, or terminate an account where there is a reasonable concern about identity, authority, fraud, security, sanctions, money laundering, bid manipulation, or non-compliance with this Code, our Terms of Service, or applicable law.
A bid placed through the Platform is a legally binding offer to purchase the relevant lot at the bid amount, subject to the applicable auction terms.
By placing a bid, the buyer confirms that they:
The Platform uses server time as the official record of the time a bid is received. The Platform record of bid amount, bidder account, and time of receipt is authoritative unless a proven system error is identified.
Unless the auction notice states otherwise:
Online Auctions24 may refuse to award a lot or cancel an auction where there is a material error, credible fraud concern, unlawful conduct, system failure, seller withdrawal, lack of authority to sell, or instruction from a competent authority.
The following conduct is prohibited:
Online Auctions24 may investigate suspected misconduct; preserve relevant records; cancel or reject affected bids; restrict access; report matters where required; and cooperate with sellers, institutional clients, regulators, law enforcement, and competent authorities.
Online Auctions24 staff, contractors, and authorised representatives must disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest related to an auction.
A person with a conflict of interest must not influence the relevant listing, valuation, buyer approval, bidding process, award decision, or dispute review unless appropriate safeguards have been applied.
Online Auctions24 will not permit staff or representatives with direct responsibility for an auction to bid in that auction without prior written approval, disclosure, and controls designed to protect fairness and integrity.
All prices are stated in the currency shown in the auction notice or invoice. The auction notice or invoice will identify applicable buyer's premiums, VAT, administration charges, deposits, storage charges, transport charges, and other fees.
The successful bidder must pay the full amount due within the deadline stated in the auction notice, invoice, or auction-specific terms.
A lot may not be released until cleared funds have been received and the seller or Online Auctions24 has issued collection authorisation.
Unless otherwise stated in the auction-specific terms:
Sellers and institutional clients must provide:
For banks, insurers, public institutions, UN agencies, development partners, and other organisations, a separate written auction-services agreement may apply. Where there is a conflict, the signed agreement and auction-specific terms prevail over this Code to the extent of the conflict.
Online Auctions24 does not claim endorsement, affiliation, or authorisation by an organisation unless confirmed in writing.
Online Auctions24 maintains appropriate records relating to auctions, including listing publication, buyer registration, bid history, system timestamps, material communications, invoices, and auction outcomes.
Bidder identities are generally masked in public bid history. Access to personal and commercially sensitive information is restricted to authorised persons who need it for auction administration, compliance, security, audit, dispute resolution, or legal requirements.
Records will be retained for periods required by applicable law, contractual obligations, audit requirements, fraud prevention, and dispute resolution.
We aim to maintain a reliable Platform. However, technical outages, connectivity failures, cyber incidents, maintenance, third-party service interruptions, natural events, or other exceptional circumstances may affect an auction.
Where a material technical issue affects the fairness or integrity of an auction, Online Auctions24 may pause, extend, reschedule, or cancel the affected auction. We will take reasonable steps to notify affected registered participants through the Platform or their registered contact details.
Buyers are responsible for ensuring they have suitable internet access and for monitoring auctions in which they intend to participate.
A participant who believes that an auction has been affected by a material error, unfairness, or breach of this Code should contact us promptly at info@onlineauctions24.com.
The complaint should include:
We will acknowledge a complaint within three business days and aim to provide a substantive response within ten business days, subject to complexity and the need to obtain information from other parties.
Submitting a complaint does not automatically stop an auction, payment obligation, or collection process. However, Online Auctions24 may take temporary action where necessary to preserve fairness, evidence, or legal compliance.
Online Auctions24 processes personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection laws.
We collect and use personal data only as necessary to operate auctions, verify users, prevent fraud, maintain audit records, comply with legal and contractual obligations, and resolve disputes.
We may amend this Code from time to time to reflect legal, operational, security, or Platform changes.
The current version will be published on the Platform with its effective date. Material changes affecting an active auction will be communicated where reasonably practicable and will not override auction-specific terms already accepted unless necessary for legal compliance, safety, or auction integrity.
This Code is published in English. A French translation is provided for convenience only. If there is any difference in meaning between the two versions, the English version prevails.
For questions about this Code, auction operations, or complaints, contact:
Online Auctions24, CYAMUNARA RWANDA Ltd, Nyarugenge, Kigali, Rwanda.
Email: info@onlineauctions24.com
Telephone: +250 787 334 130 / +250 788 822 147
The agreement governing accounts, bidding, successful bids, payment, and collection on Online Auctions24.
How Online Auctions24 collects, uses, shares, transfers, and protects personal data, and the rights you hold over it.
Each auction also publishes its own terms, which you must accept before your first bid on that lot. Where auction-specific terms conflict with these documents, the auction terms and any signed written agreement prevail to the extent of the conflict.