Benapole Customs sees Tk1,013cr revenue shortfall in first 6 months of FY26

Benapole Customs House recorded a revenue shortfall of Tk1,013 crore in the first six months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, against its target, mainly due to a decline in imports, trade restrictions, and a rise in duty evasion through false declarations, officials and stakeholders have said.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) set a revenue target of Tk8,370 crore for Benapole Customs House for FY26. Of this, the target for July-December was Tk4,133 crore, while actual collection during the period stood at Tk3,120.5 crore.

Business leaders said that following the political changes in August 2024, weaker trade security created opportunities for dishonest groups to smuggle imported goods and evade duties. 

Import restrictions on several items have also significantly reduced port activity, they added.

Importer Habibur Rahman said, "Benapole port has the capacity to generate around Tk10,000 crore in revenue annually. However, after the political changes on 5 August 2024, trade security weakened, allowing some unscrupulous traders to smuggle goods and evade duties. At the same time, import bans on several products have severely disrupted revenue collection."

Mustafizujjoha Selim, office secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, said, "Many traders have reduced their use of Benapole port due to the lack of legitimate facilities. If restrictions are lifted, goods are released quickly, and a business-friendly environment is ensured, both imports and revenue will increase."

"While security is necessary, prolonged detention and searches of trucks are discouraging traders. If modern scanning machines are installed at entry points like in India, harassment will be reduced and trade will gain momentum, " said Benapole Transport Owners Association General Secretary Azim Uddin Gazi. 

Jashore Chamber of Commerce President Mizanur Rahman Khan said revenue collection has fallen due to lower imports and trade restrictions.

Benapole Port Authority officials said daily imports, which usually range between 600 and 700 trucks, have now dropped to around 250, affecting revenue as well as the labour and transport sectors. 

Port Director Shamim Hossain said that on 10 January, only 256 trucks of goods were imported from India, while 80 trucks were exported.

"Although there is a shortfall in the first six months, we are hopeful of achieving the annual revenue target by the end of the fiscal year," Benapole Customs House Assistant Commissioner Rahat Hossain said, adding that punitive action, including fines, has been taken under customs law against those involved in duty evasion.