Ctg customs revenue falls Tk5,621cr short of target in H1
Decline in false declarations and fraud help steady growth in revenue collection, officials say
Revenue collection at Chattogram Custom House, the country's largest customs station, fell short of the target by Tk5,621.45 crore during the first six months of the fiscal 2024-25.
The customs house collected Tk35,903.41 crore in revenue during the July-December period against a target of Tk41,524.86 crore.
However, revenue collection increased year-on-year by Tk2,382.1 crore during the period, registering a 7.11% increase from Tk33,521.31 crore.
The annual revenue target for FY25 is Tk83,432 crore. The revenue shortfall in the first six months casts a shadow over the prospect of achieving the year's target.
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Customs officials attribute the shortfall to various challenges, including the ongoing dollar crisis and complications related to letters of credit, which have negatively impacted imports over the past two years.
Furthermore, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which began in early July 2024 and toppled the Sheikh Hasina-led government on 5 August, led to periodic disruptions in port customs operations.
Despite these hurdles, officials highlighted the positive impact of the Customs Audit Investigation and Research wing's intensified efforts. Its initiatives have curtailed false declarations and fraud, contributing to the steady growth in revenue collection.
A minimum penalty for false declarations – set at double the evaded revenue amount by the National Board of Revenue in June 2020 – has also significantly reduced fraudulent activities.
Saidul Islam, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Custom House, acknowledged the revenue shortfall but expressed optimism about the remaining months of the fiscal year.
"Although we could not meet the target in the first six months, revenue collection has grown compared to the previous fiscal year. We hope to see a positive trend in the coming months," he told TBS.
Growth in container handling at ICDs
Inland container depots (ICDs) associated with Chattogram Port, also witnessed significant growth in container handling in 2024.
According to the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association, ICDs handled 7,50,559 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of laden export containers, registering a 13.52-percent increase from 6,61,152 TEUs in 2023.
Import container handling also surged by 23.97%, with 2,68,499 TEUs handled in 2024 compared to 2,16,537 TEUs in 2023.
Additionally, empty container handling grew by 7.15%, rising from 5,82,605 TEUs in 2023 to 6,24,302 TEUs in 2024.
Ruhul Amin Shikder, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association, noted that despite the political unrest in 2024, import and export activities continued to grow, driven by an increase in garment exports on the occasion o Christmas and the English New Year.
Record-breaking container handling at Ctg port
Chattogram Port, the country's primary seaport, set new records in container and cargo handling in 2024. Between 1 January and December 31, the port handled 32,75,627 TEUs of containers and 123,986,014 tonnes of cargo, reflecting year-on-year growth of 7.42% and 3.11%, respectively.
However, the total number of ships handled declined, with 3,867 ships processed in 2024, compared to 4,103 in 2023. Despite this reduction, the port improved its operational efficiency, reducing the average waiting time for ships to just one day.
Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman has meanwhile expressed confidence in continued growth in 2025.
