Disposal of unclaimed cargo under Section 48: time bound custodian Customs process leading to regulated e auction and clearance. Procedure under Section 48 prescribes a coordinated, time bound sequence: custodians must list unclaimed cargo (with IGM details), notify importers, prepare inventories, and seek Customs' NOC. Customs segregates consignments for retention, identifies regulatory/testing requirements, and within set periods authorises consignments for e auction or triggers clearance/testing. Custodians appoint approved valuers to fix reserve prices; auctions proceed through e auction with Customs oversight, bid reporting, buyer wise consolidated bill(s) of entry, assessment, payment of dues and release. Provisions address testing, destruction when unfit, refunds of earnest money, and disbursement of sale proceeds under the Act.