Customs allows UNHCR imports after over a month

The customs department has unlocked the business identification number of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), after locking it more than a month ago over alleged irregularities involving vehicles imported under the duty-free facility.

Md Abdul Hannan, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Customs House, told The Business Standard, that the UNHCR's business identification number was unlocked on Tuesday, which means there will be no obstacles in importing any goods for the agency.

However, he could not say if the UN refugee agency agreed to pay the amount demanded by the customs authorities as duties and fines.

On condition of anonymity, a senior official of the National Board of Revenue told TBS that the UNHCR's business identification number has been unlocked on humanitarian grounds. The agency has to import various goods including the relief material for the Rohingya refugees, which was being hampered due to locking their business identification number. So, the authorities have decided to unlock it.

He also said, "The National Board of Revenue has rules regarding the transfer of duty-free vehicles. UNHCR's vehicles are used by certain individuals and organisations for which duties and taxes apply, but the organisation has violated that rule."

However, he refused to elaborate on ways of resolving the alleged irregularities committed by the UN refugee agency.

Earlier, the Chattogram Customs House issued a notice demanding Tk76 crore as duty-tax from UNHCR, alleging that the UN agency had handed over 46 vehicles – imported under duty-free facility – to various individuals and organisations without the National board of Revenue's permission. As the agency did not pay that amount, the customs house locked its business identification number on 21 June to bar it from importing more goods.

The UNHCR is involved in various types of humanitarian work, including providing relief to about 10 lakh Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.