Ctg customs revenue target falls despite growth

Chattogram Custom House saw a 12.37 per cent year-on-year rise in revenue collection in FY2025-26, but still missed its revenue target by more than Tk20,824 crore because outstanding customs dues from government-owned entities remained above Tk25,000 crore.

In accordance with official data, the country’s largest customs station collected Tk81,471.37 crore during the fiscal year against a target of Tk102,295 crore, leaving a shortfall of Tk20,823.63 crore.

The collection was up from Tk72,502.41 crore in FY2024-25, representing an increase of Tk8,968.96 crore.

The customs house also ended the fiscal year on a strong note, collecting Tk3,885.1 crore in June alone, a 68.96 per cent increase compared with the same month a year earlier.

Despite the improvement in revenue, the authority continues to grapple with substantial unpaid customs duties from state-owned organisations.

Outstanding dues stood at Tk25,237 crore at the end of FY2025-26, down slightly from Tk26,250 crore a year earlier after recovering Tk1,013 crore during the fiscal year.

Petrobangla accounted for the largest share of unpaid dues, with Tk21,846 crore outstanding. No recovery was made from the state-owned energy company during the year.

Outstanding dues from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) stood at Tk3,922 crore, while dues under the deferred payment system fell sharply to Tk69 crore after customs recovered Tk423 crore.

Confirming the figures, Chattogram Custom House spokesperson Sharif Al Amin told The Business Standard that revenue collection largely depends on import volumes handled through Chattogram Port.

“Without growth in import volume, it is difficult to increase revenue. Despite the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, we achieved a 12.37% growth in revenue collection during the last fiscal year,” he said.

On the outstanding dues, he said customs authorities are continuing efforts to recover the money through regular communication with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the relevant government agencies.