Import-export at Chattogram at a standstill

Even after finishing all the processes of taxation, around 1,500 containers have remained stuck at the Chattogram port as customs is unable to issue out-passes. Similarly, import-export chalan cannot be documented at the customs.

Daily, nearly 6,000 chalan is documented at the port customs. Hence, nearly 12,000 remain undocumented in the last two days. Because of the curfew, traders are facing difficulties in transporting export containers. Many containers could not reach the port because of the unrest created by the quota reform movement in the last 3 days.

Such complications were created at the Chattogram port and customs house as a result of internet shutting down and rendering the servers unusable.

The customs house at Chattogram alone manages transactions of around Tk 200 crore daily. Due to the internet outage, it is estimated that the customs house faced around Tk 400 crore losses in the first two days of curfew.

Speaking to the Daily Samakal, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam said, traders are facing many obstacles while trying to release goods at the port and customs. Goods cannot be released even after taxation process completion as the server isn’t working. If the problem is not solved, many perishable goods will spoil.

Chattogram Chamber President Omar Hazzaz said, customs house takes care of taxation at Chattogram port. They’re the ones who issue the out-pass. Without it, goods cannot be taken out of the port. Nearly 1,500 containers are now stuck at the port. Export containers also cannot be sent abroad.

Meanwhile, Chattogram Customs House Commissioner Md Faizur Rahman said, due to the internet outage, NBR server isn’t working. We hope this problem will soon be solved. We are now focusing on quickly loading export containers on ships. Urgent export containers are being processed through manual taxation.

Chattogram Port Secretary Omar Faruq said, many containers are waiting to be released at the port. They cannot be released without receiving out-pass from customs. However, goods loading-unloading activities are normal inside the port.