Imported in pieces, 4 luxury cars worth up to Tk6.7cr disguised as 'used parts' seized at Mongla Port

Four luxury cars worth an estimated Tk4.5–6.7 crore were found at Mongla Port after their major components were declared separately as "used car parts" and the vehicles were imported in just three to four large sections, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) said.

The cars were identified through a 100% physical inspection, technical assistance from experts from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), analysis of stickers, labels, markings and numbers on the parts, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a CIID press release issued today (27 August).

The shipment contained 14 types of items in 164 packages weighing around 10,220kg. The importer, Crown Auto Mobile Services, had declared items including used doors, a 2,000cc petrol engine fitted with gear assembly, suspension shock absorbers, nose cuts, headlights, tail lights, fenders, cabin, steering wheel, bumper, air cleaner box, rubber channels, differential and axle assembly as used car parts.

However, physical inspection found Front Cut, Complete Rear/Tail Cut, Front & Rear Body Cut and Roof Cut Panel Assembly with wiring harnesses, sensors and other important components still attached.

According to CIID, this indicated that the cars had not been completely dismantled into individual spare parts, but had instead been cut into only three to four large sections for import in Semi Knocked Down (SKD) condition.

The four vehicles identified were:

Range Rover Vogue, 2017 — estimated Bangladesh market value of Tk1.60–1.85 crore, BMW 650i, 2010 — Tk60–90 lakh, Lexus LX570, 2016 — Tk2–3.50 crore or more, depending on the vehicle's year and condition and Toyota Crown Athlete GRS204 — Tk30–45 lakh.

The combined potential market value of the four vehicles is estimated at around Tk4.50–6.70 crore or more, CIID said.

The shipment's Bill of Entry (B/E) number is C-6904, dated 20 April 2026, with Manifest No 2026/256. The importer is Crown Auto Mobile Services of Gandaria, Dhaka, while the exporter is Mahi Car Port of Tochigi, Japan. The vessel carrying the goods was MV MCC TOKYO.

The shipment had an invoice value of only $7,935 after being declared as 14 types of used car parts. Its assessable value was shown as around Tk9.94 lakh, against which customs duty and taxes were declared at Tk6.07 lakh, with total payable charges, including DF/CVAT/FP, amounting to Tk6.10 lakh.

CIID said its investigation found that parts having the "Essential Character" of the four vehicles had been declared as used car parts with an assessable value of around Tk9.94 lakh.

However, the authority said the exact amount of potential duty and tax evasion has yet to be determined.

This will depend on how much duty and tax would have been applicable if the goods had been properly classified and assessed as complete motor vehicles in SKD condition under GRI Rule 2(a).

CIID said its review found apparent violations of relevant provisions of the Import Policy Order 2021–24, the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950, and the Customs Act, 2023.

Under GRI Rule 2(a), incomplete, unfinished or disassembled goods may, where applicable, be classified as the complete product if they retain the Essential Character of that product. CIID said the nature and configuration of the parts found in the shipment indicated that they retained the Essential Character of complete motor vehicles.

The directorate has sent a report to Custom House, Mongla, stating that the shipment should be assessed as SKD motor vehicles. It has also recommended necessary legal action after reviewing the expert team's report.