Winter fades but bureaucratic delays trap donated warm clothes at Ctg Port
The donation was sent by the US-based Marfini Foundation to the Muslim Welfare Organization for free distribution
Winter is almost over, yet eight containers of donated warm clothing brought nearly 11 months ago from the United States for Rohingyas and underprivileged people remain stuck at Chattogram Port, exposing bureaucratic paralysis and the absence of a fast-track clearance system for humanitarian cargo.
The consignment – about 4.26 lakh pieces of winter clothing – arrived at the port on 8 March last year in eight 40-foot containers and has since been accruing port charges, now standing at about Tk3 crore.
The donation was sent by the US-based Marfini Foundation to the Muslim Welfare Organization for free distribution. The donor agreed to cover costs only up to delivery at Chattogram Port, excluding clearance and storage expenses, officials of the local NGO said.
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According to the organisation, the consignment is now trapped in a bureaucratic loop involving the NGO Affairs Bureau, Chattogram Custom House, the Chattogram Port Authority, and the Ministry of Shipping.
"Our organisation is voluntary. After the goods arrived, we applied for duty and port charge waivers because it was impossible for us to pay such a huge amount," said Liton Mia, secretary general of Muslim Welfare Organization.
Early documentation gaps, rising costs
On 26 January 2025, the NGO Affairs Bureau wrote to the commissioner of Chattogram Custom House, 12 days before the containers arrived, seeking duty-free release of the goods as humanitarian aid.
However, after arrival, documentation took several days to complete as the organisation initially lacked an Import Permission, during which time port storage charges began accruing.
By the time the paperwork was ready, a substantial amount of port rent had already accumulated, placing immediate financial pressure on the volunteer-run organisation.
Port charges reach Tk3cr
Muslim Welfare first approached the Chattogram Port Authority for a waiver of port rent. The authority replied that it lacked the jurisdiction and advised applying to the shipping adviser.
On 8 April 2025, the organisation formally wrote to the shipping adviser. The port authority forwarded the application to the Ministry of Shipping on 20 April.
After that, the process stalled, with no response from the ministry for nearly seven months.
On 12 October 2025, the ministry sought an opinion from Chattogram Custom House, which replied on 23 October that the goods could be released with conditional duty exemption.
On 2 November, the ministry approved a 50% waiver of port charges and instructed the port authority chairman to release the goods within 30 days. By then, port charges had already exceeded Tk3 crore, making clearance unaffordable even with the partial waiver.
"By the time the ministry approved a 50% waiver, port charges had crossed Tk3 crore. That's why we still could not clear the goods,' said Liton Mia, adding that they have since applied again for a full waiver.
As of 8 January this year, total port charges for the eight containers stood at Tk6.44 crore for 309 days and continue to rise daily. Per-container storage rent is now charged at $192 a day, pushing daily rent for all eight containers to $1,536, or about Tk1.87 lakh.
Port officials said the charges include container storage rent, yard occupancy fees, and handling costs that accrue automatically once cargo remains uncleared beyond the free period.
Agencies point to each other
Chattogram Custom House Spokesperson and Assistant Commissioner Sharif Al Amin said no bill of entry or complete set of documents had yet been submitted for clearance.
"As no formal documents have been submitted for release of the goods, we cannot comment at this stage. If the goods are brought for clearance, all cooperation will be provided as per rules," he said.
Chattogram Port Director (Admin) Omar Faruk said waiving port charges was beyond the port authority's jurisdiction. "Waiver of port charges is a matter for the ministry and higher authorities. We act according to their instructions," he said.
Attempts to reach Md Firoz Ahmed, joint secretary (CPA) at the Ministry of Shipping, for comment were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was found switched off.
Deputy secretary Kazi Mohammad Chahel Tostory, who issued the 2 November letter, said there had been no delay on his part while he was in charge. "The decision rests with senior officials. We, as junior officers, only carry out decisions once we receive instructions," he said.
