Benapole Port reports Tk300cr revenue shortfall as Indian imports decline

Bangladesh's largest land port, Benapole, has recorded a significant revenue shortfall of Tk300 crore in the first quarter of the current fiscal year as imports from India declined and customs clearance slowed down, preventing the port authorities from meeting their revenue target.

According to Benapole Customs sources, the revenue target for July–September was set at Tk1,850 crore, but collections reached only Tk1,550 crore.

Customs officials attributed the shortfall to a 20–25% drop in imports of consumer goods, electronics, cosmetics, and garments from India. 

The strains in Bangladesh-India relations, persisting since August 2024, reverberate through the country's import-export sector. Consequently, the volume of imports from India has seen a marked decline.  

Officials also pointed to the delays in product inspection and testing that have further slowed daily revenue collection.

Mofizur Rahman Sojan, former president of the Benapole Customs Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agents Association, said infrastructure limitations, scanner shortages, and complex customs procedures have become major obstacles for businesses. "Only about half of the imported goods are cleared on time each day," he noted.

Although 800-1,000 trucks enter the port daily, congestion, inadequate storage space, and slow unloading force many to wait for hours, raising transportation costs and delaying revenue processing.

Benapole Customs Commissioner Khalid Md Abu Hossain said initiatives have been taken to ensure greater transparency and speed in the clearance process. "We are expanding digital clearance and online payment systems to assist traders," he added.

The revenue slowdown has also impacted the local economy and labour market. With fewer goods being cleared, work opportunities for labourers have shrunk, and transport operators are facing losses.

Local businessman Md Maruf Hossain said, "We used to make two to three trips a day, but now even one trip is uncertain due to delayed clearance." Another C&F official, Rubel Hossain, said limited scanners and parking spaces continue to slow operations.

To address the issue, Benapole Customs and port authorities have introduced new measures from October, including the installation of additional scanners, expansion of parking facilities, and full implementation of digital clearance and online payment systems.

Commissioner Khalid Md Abu Hossain expressed optimism, saying, "Once these initiatives are implemented, revenue collection will improve, and traders will face fewer obstacles in importing goods."