Export-import activities halted at Ctg Port amid NBR officials' 'complete shutdown'

Export-import activities at the Custom House, Chattogram (CHC) remained suspended today (29 June) for the second day due to the "complete shutdown" enforced by officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) under the banner of the NBR Unity Council.

As a result, container transport for both exports and imports at the Chattogram Port has been entirely suspended. No export containers are being transported from any of the 19 inland container depots (ICDs) in Chattogram to the port.

Due to the disruption, vessels are departing the port without carrying export-bound containers.

Yesterday, a ship left the port without loading around 120 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of export cargo.

ICD operators said that since export containers failed to reach the port yesterday, two more vessels may leave today without over 1,000 TEUs of scheduled export containers.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Md Omar Faruk said that due to the complete shutdown enforced by NBR officials, customs officers are refraining from work, making it impossible to deliver import-laden containers from the port.

"No export containers are arriving at the port either," he added.

TBS attempted to contact CHC Deputy Commissioner Saidul Islam for comment, but he was unavailable.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official at the Custom House told TBS that some customs officers have travelled to Dhaka to join the "March to NBR" programme, while those still in Chattogram have also stopped working.

"The Custom House is practically deserted," the official said.

Meanwhile, trade activities at the Akhaura Land Port in Brahmanbaria, Bhomra Land Port in Satkhira, Benapole Land Port in Jashore and Tamabil Land Port in Sylhet have come to a standstill due to the complete shutdown.

Since today morning, no goods have been exported to India through the ports, and import activities have also been suspended. However, passenger movement remains unaffected by the shutdown.

NBR officials and employees have been enforcing a "complete shutdown" and a "march to the NBR headquarters" since yesterday, demanding the removal of the NBR chairman. The protest is being organised under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council.

To ensure the success of the march, officials from the tax, customs, and VAT offices in Dhaka and other districts have gathered in the capital.