Business Report :
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has granted permission for the delivery of containers carrying imported goods bound for Dhaka’s Inland Container Depot (ICD) from Chittagong Port and Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT).
This decision was made in light of the severe container congestion caused by the recent anti-discrimination student protests, which disrupted transportation.
The directive, issued by the NBR on Thursday, applies to 1,856 containers intended for Dhaka ICD that have been stranded due to the suspension of rail transportation from Chattogram Port. Importers will be able to avail this opportunity until 31 October, under four specified conditions.
Previously, the Chattogram Port Authority had sought instructions regarding the approval of delivery for import containers destined for Dhaka ICD via Chattogram Port or Pangaon ICT through amendments to the Import General Manifest (IGM).
In response, the NBR approved the release of goods in 1,856 containers stuck at Chattogram Port, with delivery permitted to Chattogram Custom House, Dhaka ICD Custom House, and Pangaon Custom House.
The permission was granted through a letter signed by Mukitul Hasan, second secretary (customs policy) at the NBR.
The NBR has set conditions for the release of these goods. Depending on the importer’s preference, the goods can be delivered from any port under the jurisdiction of Chattogram Custom House, ICD Custom House, or Pangaon Custom House.
In the case of release from Chattogram Customs and Pangaon Customs, importers or their respective clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents must apply to the relevant Customs House, specifying the list of containers and the desired location for release.
Containers moved from Chattogram Port to Pangaon ICT must be transported exclusively by water under the management of the Chattogram Port Authority. This directive remains in effect until 31 October, covering the release of the 1,856 affected containers. According to Chattogram port, after containers are unloaded from ships at Chattogram Port, importers typically take delivery from the port yard. Alternatively, they may have the containers transported by ship to Pangaon ICT in Keraniganj, Dhaka, or by train to Dhaka ICD in Kamalapur.
However, the anti-discrimination student movement has led to the suspension of rail transport at several points, resulting in Dhaka-bound containers becoming stuck at Chattogram Port. Despite Dhaka ICD’s storage capacity being 800 TEU, 2,700 TEU containers have accumulated, exacerbating the congestion.