Chattogram customs sees 9% revenue growth in Jul-Feb, still faces Tk7,138cr deficit
Revenue collection rose by Tk4,351 crore year-on-year, with February 2025 alone generating Tk6,152 crore
Customs House, Chattogram (CHC), the country's largest customs station, collected Tk48,271 crore in revenue during the first eight months (July–February) of FY2024-25, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period last year.
Revenue collection rose by Tk4,351 crore year-on-year, with February 2025 alone generating Tk6,152 crore — Tk1,237 crore more than February 2024, reflecting a 20% growth.
Despite this increase, CHC continues to face a widening revenue deficit.
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The target for the first eight months was Tk55,409 crore, but actual collection fell short by Tk7,138 crore or 12.88%. The full-year revenue target stands at Tk83,432 crore.
In the previous fiscal year (2023-24), the customs house collected Tk68,866 crore against a target of Tk77,616 crore, resulting in a shortfall of Tk8,750 crore.
Customs officials attribute the ongoing deficit to factors such as the dollar crisis and complications related to letters of credit (LCs), which have negatively affected imports over the past two years.
Additionally, the anti-discrimination movement that began in July, along with political instability following the shift in government in August, disrupted customs operations and revenue collection.
However, conditions have gradually improved since January 2025. The easing of the dollar crisis and increased imports ahead of Ramadan contributed to the rise in February's revenue collection.
Importers and exporters have also noted a decline in the practice of releasing goods without paying duty due to political influence. Stricter customs enforcement and measures against false declarations have helped curb duty evasion, boosting revenue.
CHC Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Islam told The Business Standard that despite February 2025 having one less day than February 2024, which was a leap year, revenue collection still increased by more than Tk1,000 crore.
He described this as a positive sign for revenue growth.
Regarding the revenue deficit, Saidul Islam expressed optimism that as economic and political stability improves, import volumes will rise in the coming months.
He projected that total revenue collection for the current fiscal year would surpass that of the previous year.
