Benapole Land Port misses Tk300 crore revenue target
Business Report :
Bangladesh’s largest land port, Benapole, has fallen short of its revenue target by Tk300 crore in the first quarter (July–September) of the current fiscal year, mainly due to reduced imports from India and delays in customs clearance.
According to Benapole Customs, the port collected Tk1,550 crore in revenue against a target of Tk1,850 crore.
Officials said imports of consumer goods, electronics, cosmetics, and garments from India have dropped by about 20–25 percent.
The slowdown comes amid ongoing strains in Bangladesh-India relations since August 2024, which have negatively affected cross-border trade.
Customs officials also mentioned that delays in product testing and inspection have further reduced daily revenue collection.
Former president of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, Mofizur Rahman Sojan told The New Nation “poor infrastructure, scanner shortages, and complicated customs procedures are major challenges.”
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Although around 800 to 1,000 trucks enter the port daily, congestion, limited storage space, and slow unloading have led to long waiting times, higher transport costs, and delayed revenue processing.
Benapole Customs Commissioner Khalid Md Abu Hossain said several steps have been taken to improve the situation. “We are expanding digital clearance and online payment systems to assist traders and ensure faster processing,” he said.
The revenue shortfall has also hit the local economy. Many workers and truck operators are earning less as fewer goods are being cleared.
Local businessman Md Zakaria Hossain told The New Nation, “We used to make two or three trips a day, but now even one trip is uncertain due to the delays.”
Another C&F agent, Mirza Hossain, added that limited scanners and parking space continue to cause slow operations.
To fix these issues, Benapole Customs and port authorities have started implementing new measures from October, including adding more scanners, expanding parking areas, and introducing fully digital customs clearance.
Commissioner Khalid Md Abu Hossain expressed hope that once these initiatives are fully in place, revenue collection will increase and traders will face fewer obstacles in importing goods from India.
