41,314 containers stuck amid customs strike
Staff Reporter :
A crippling customs officials’ strike has brought operations at Chattogram Port to a near standstill, leaving over 41,000 containers stranded and causing severe delays in the clearance of imported goods.
Now in its second consecutive day, the work stoppage-organized in protest of the government’s plan to restructure the National Board of Revenue (NBR)-has disrupted trade flow ahead of the Eid season, threatening market supply chains and economic activity across the country.
According to the Chattogram Custom House, the strike began at 9am and will continue until 5pm.
The protest, spearheaded by the NBR Reform Unity Council, is in response to the government’s proposed move to dismantle the National Board of Revenue (NBR) – a plan customs officials strongly oppose.
“Normally, the port handles about 35,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), but the number has now risen to 41,314,” said Saidul Islam, Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson for the Chattogram Custom House.
Customs agent sources report that nearly 90 ercent of clearance and assessment activities have been suspended. The disruption has created a bottleneck of imported goods at a critical tim
e – just ahead of the Eid shopping and sales rush.
“On a regular day, 1,200 to 2,500 consignments are assessed and about 80% are cleared the same day,” said Kazi Mahmud Imam Bilu, former secretary general of the Chattogram Customs Agents Association.
“Now, everything has stopped. Importers cannot receive their goods, which may severely impact market supply before Eid.”
The strike’s economic ripple effect is being felt widely. Around 2,800 clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents operate at the port, with approximately 10,000 employees dependent on these operations.
“Not only is trade paralysed, but C&F agents are also struggling to pay their workers,” Bilu added.
As container backlogs increase and delivery operations remain suspended, importers and exporters alike are urging the government and striking officials to reach a resolution quickly.
Business leaders have warned that continued disruption may lead to supply chain shocks, increased costs, and market shortages, especially with Eid approaching.
The port authority has yet to announce any emergency measures, and unless a breakthrough is reached, Chattogram port may face one of its worst logjams in recent years.
