42 luxurious vehicles imported by ex-AL MPs stuck at Ctg port

Forty-two luxurious vehicles, imported under duty-free privileges by former Awami League MPs, have been lying at Chattogram Port for the past five months, creating complications for the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

The NBR has decided to auction the vehicles as per regulations, following the failure of the ex-MPs to clear the vehicles after the fall of the Awami League government.

This move is expected to generate at least Tk400 crore in additional revenue for the government.

According to sources, these high-end vehicles have been parked in the port's car shed since 14 September last year.

Importers were supposed to clear them by 14 October but failed to do so, prompting the port authority to transfer the paperwork for 24 vehicles to the Chattogram Custom House for auction.

The Custom House has already requested the importers to pay customs duties totalling Tk8.5 crore for 24 vehicles. But traders are concerned that the high duties might deter buyers.

Chittagong Port Authority officials said the vehicles, imported by former MPs using duty-free privileges, remain unclaimed due to the MPs fleeing after the student-led movement that toppled the government.

Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Customs House Mohammad Saidul Islam said, "If the importers pay the required customs duties, the vehicles will be cleared. Otherwise, they will be auctioned."

The estimated import price of each vehicle from Japan ranges between Tk1 crore and Tk1.5 crore. With the addition of customs duties, the market value is expected to rise to Tk12 crore to Tk15 crore, raising concerns among vehicle traders about their market viability.

Omar Faruk, Secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority, emphasised the need for clearing the vehicles, either through auction or importer clearance, to free up space at the port.

However, some stakeholders worry about potential legal complications if the vehicles are handed over to importers without an auction.

Ferdous Ahmed, president of the Chattogram Custom House Bidders' Association, said, "If this decision is made in the interest of the NBR, we have no objections. But the vehicles should be auctioned as per standard procedures."

Md Gias Uddin Chowdhury, vice-president of the Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA), called for swift action. "The customs house should urgently issue letters to the importers and arrange an auction," he said.

Among the 42 vehicles, seven belonging to high-profile individuals, including cricketer Shakib Al Hasan and Syed Sayedul Haque Suman, were cleared in July last year. The remaining vehicles, including those linked to actress Tarana Halim and Jannat Ara Henry, are still stuck at the port.