Bidding Farewell to an Odd Bundle of Loot : Customs: The government is auctioning everything from pooper scoopers to a Jaguar today.

Dog owners can breed a sigh of relief these days. The federal government is helping to clean up after all those propagating pups by offering a great deal--on 12,000 pooper scoopers.

Want to buy in bulk? There also are 778,000 Desert Storm pins, 75,000 lock washers and 4,000 semi-conductors. Need something to decorate the family sedan? Try 11,016 NFL bobble-head toys.

It’s time once again for the U.S. Customs Service to reduce its back load of confiscated and abandoned loot, where things exquisite and extraordinary as well as those sublime and ridiculous are offered up to the highest bidder. The line forms in Rancho Dominguez at 9 a.m. today. Auction officials swear that even the so-called Doggie Valets will be snapped up.

“Rarely, rarely does something not sell,” said Josie Plachta, spokeswoman for E G&G; Dynatrend, which handles auction services for the Customs Service. “There’s a big market out there for some of this stuff.”

Plachta bases her assessment on the fact that somebody once bought a 70-pound feather-plucking machine at one of the agency’s auctions. Compared to that, unloading 400 pounds of Korean-made women’s polyester blouses is a breeze.

Customs officials say the auctions are attractive to buyers because of the variety and volume of items. There just aren’t many places where you can get a mint-condition 1989 Jaguar XJS convertible and 20,000 plastic beehive parts.

Most of the items were seized in drug busts, raids on illegal manufacturing operations or confiscated by Customs agents at various U.S. ports of entry. A 23 1/2 foot Excalibur racing boat was seized by agents in San Francisco. The Jaguar’s previous owner lost his wheels in Arizona. Officials couldn’t remember where the 15 ruble, 1897 Nicholas II gold coin came from, but they’re sure someone will be on hand to buy it.

“One time we had a coffin seized,” said Plachta. She couldn’t remember if anybody bid on it.

Although the federal government has been trying to reel in more private individuals for the auctions, the majority of those who do show up are wholesalers and suppliers eager for a chance to grab televisions, toolboxes and tea sets for below flea market value. Need a five-piece set of Buddhas? This is your place.

Importers and exporters are particularly prized auction attendees because some of the merchandise being sold must be shipped out of the country. Those items include dome tents, duffel bags, blankets and baby carriers that failed to meet federal regulations, trade embargoes or quota restrictions.

Although the Customs Service doesn’t publicize minimum bids, it doesn’t give the items away for a handshake and some change. Officials say if a bid is too low, they will keep the item until the next go-round, which will take place at the same site, 2332 East Pacifica Place near the Cal State Dominguez Hills campus, on Sept. 3.

By the time the auction ends today, more than 110,000 clothing items, 28,000 pieces of computer equipment and 3,800 men’s and ladies watches will have been picked over by bidders. The government often takes in more than $1 million during such auctions around the country, with all of the money dutifully deposited in the U.S. Treasury.

“Some of the stuff we get we don’t even know what it is,” Plachta said. “But there’s a market out there for it. The pooper scoopers will go. Just watch.”