Limestone, stone imports stopped, protesting against hike in duties
On Thursday, there was no usual hustle and bustle in Tamabil, Sylhet’s main land port, as no cargo truck from India came to Bangladesh
Importers stopped the import of stone and limestone through all the land ports and customs stations of Sylhet division on Wednesday to protest against an increase in import assessment value.
They have also announced that they would not resume the import until the withdrawal of this hike as it will incur losses in their business.
On Thursday, there was no usual hustle and bustle in Tamabil, Sylhet's main land port, as no cargo truck from India came to Bangladesh.
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Tamabil Limestone and Coal Importers Group President Liaqat Ali said the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has increased the assessment value of stone and limestone imports from India by $2 per tonne, which will cause huge losses to importers. Therefore, stone and limestone stone import through all the ports and customs stations of Sylhet has been stopped.
The importers have had a disagreement with the land port and customs officials for several days over the assessment value. The traders demanded its withdrawal but customs officials did not agree to it, he added.
Salim Chowdhury, president of Chatak Limestone Importers and Suppliers Association of Sunamganj and director of Sunamganj Chamber, said that the business condition is already bad. Now, the assessment value has been increased.
Customs authorities have verbally informed traders that the assessment value of limestone has been increased from $11 to $13.5 and large stones from $11 to $13. As a result, the cost of the products per truck will rise from Tk1,200 to Tk1,300.
He said the import will remain stopped until the issue is resolved.
However, the customs officials said the assessment value has increased following the inflation of the dollar against the taka.
Sylhet Region Deputy Commissioner of Customs Solaiman Hossain said now the value of the dollar against the taka is 109, which was earlier 84. The assessment value has surgedly in light of NBR's directives.
However, there are scopes for discussion with importers.
Besides Tamabil land port, there are 12 customs stations in the Sylhet division through which mainly limestone and stone are imported. They are Bholaganj in Companyganj, Bagli, Barachra and Charagao in Sunamganj and Ichamati and Chela stations in Chatak.
