Import duty hike: Importers suspend fruit import through Benapole

Importers have suspended the import of fruit through Benapole land port for an indefinite period protesting the government's decision to impose additional import duties.

No fruit-carrying trucks have entered the port since Tuesday morning as per the importers' decision.

The move came after the government raised the supplementary duty on imported fresh fruit from 20 per cent to 30 per cent on 9 January.

Importers said the additional duty has made fruit imports unfeasible, leading to the drastic step of halting imports altogether.

Fruit importer Abdul Mannan said that the Bangladesh Fresh Food Association had previously urged the government to withdraw the additional duty.

As their demand was not met the traders decided to stop fruit imports indefinitely.

"If the duty is not withdrawn before Ramadan, it will significantly impact the market. Fruit prices will skyrocket beyond the purchasing power of ordinary people," Mannan said.

The suspension will also hit government revenue hard, said Benapole Import-Export Association President Alhaj Mohsin Milon

The government earns approximately Tk25 crore (2.5 billion) in daily revenue from fruit import through Benapole.

The increased duty has already led to a sharp decline in fruit import across the country, causing supply shortages and rising prices in the market, he added.

Benapole Customs House Joint Commissioner Sushanta Pal said no fruit-laden trucks have entered the port since Tuesday morning and the number of fruit trucks entering the port daily had already halved before the suspension.

"If this situation continues, fruit prices during Ramadan will go beyond reach for the general public," he added