Customs forms auction committee to ease container congestion at Ctg port

To reduce container congestion and associated security risks at the Chattogram Port, the Custom House, Chattogram has formed a dedicated auction committee tasked with swiftly auctioning, impounding, or destroying disposable goods lying idle at the port.

The committee was established following a special directive from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), as per an office order signed by Custom House Commissioner Mohammad Shafiuddin on Tuesday (8 July).

Custom House spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Saidul Islam confirmed the development to The Business Standard, saying the initiative aims to maintain smooth port operations and reduce unnecessary pressure on container storage.

According to the order, the committee will be responsible for disposing of all auctionable goods, except vehicles, linked to import or export orders by 31 December 2023.

Customs sources said Additional Commissioner Mohammad Tafsir Uddin Bhuiyan has been appointed as the convener of the committee. 

Other members include Additional Commissioner Md Ruhul Amin, all Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Revenue Officers of the Auction Branch, and Assistant Revenue Officers of the Auction Customs Branch. 

The assistant revenue officers will serve as the member secretaries.

The initiative is grounded in provisions of the Customs Act and aims to prevent long-term stockpiling of undeclared, confiscated, or duty-unpaid goods. 

Officials say quick auction and destruction processes will not only help clear space at the port but also prevent the wastage of state resources and strengthen security.

According to Chattogram Port Authority data, the port has a container storage capacity of 53,518 TEUs. 

As of 8 July , 10,060 TEUs of auctionable containers are occupying space in the yard, accounting for nearly 19% of total storage capacity.