Customs operations halted at Chattogram custom house amid customs staff's pen-down strike
Approximately 7,000 bills of entry and bills of export are submitted daily, around 2,000 for imports and 5,000 for exports. However, processing of these documents has come to a complete halt due to the ongoing strike
Work at the country's largest customs station, the Chattogram custom house, has come to a standstill due to a pen-down strike by customs officials protesting a government ordinance aimed at abolishing the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
The work stoppage began this morning (15 May).
As a result of the protest, all customs taxation activities for import and export goods at the Chattogram Custom House have been suspended, causing significant disruption for importers and exporters.
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Officials and employees across all tax zones, VAT offices, and customs stations nationwide are participating in the demonstration.
According to Chattogram Custom House sources, approximately 7,000 bills of entry and bills of export are submitted daily, around 2,000 for imports and 5,000 for exports. However, processing of these documents has come to a complete halt due to the ongoing strike.
ASM Rezaul Karim Swapan, customs affairs secretary of the Chattogram C&F Agents Association, a key stakeholder in port operations, told The Business Standard that all customs clearance activities have ceased due to the pen-down protest.
"We expect operations might resume after 3pm," he added.
Traders expressed concern over the disruption, noting that Thursdays are critical for completing customs procedures ahead of the weekend. If clearance is not completed today, they face a two-day government holiday, potentially leading to financial losses due to delays in delivery and port handling.
Efforts to reach Saidul Islam, deputy commissioner and spokesperson of Chattogram Custom House, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
However, a customs official speaking on condition of anonymity said that while staff reported to their offices in the morning, no official work was being carried out. C&F agents, who depend on the customs process to facilitate cargo movement, were also seen idling.
He added that although the protest is scheduled to end at 3pm, due to the limited working hours left in the day, there is little hope that any customs activity will resume today (15 May).
