R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-25: Sale of property to pay duties — Perishable property.

The director of the department of environmental management may dispose of so much of the property by public auction, within thirty (30) days after taking the property into his or her custody, as shall be sufficient to pay all duties thereon which he or she shall have paid, or for which the director shall become liable, to the customhouse, and may dispose of any property which is of a perishable nature.