The seizure of large quantities of 80-count yarn allegedly imported under Bangladesh’s bonded facility from warehouses in Narsingdi and Narayanganj has raised concerns over possible abuse of the system, prompting the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) to demand identification of the importer and others involved.
BTMA said on Saturday the yarn was seized from several warehouses in Araihazar, Narayanganj and Madhabdi, Narsingdi, following allegations that bonded yarn was being moved for sale on the open market.
The cartons carried markings including “CHINA ORIGIN” and “CM80S/1”, according to the association. Video footage showed large quantities of yarn stored in warehouses and conversations involving people linked to the stock and law enforcement officials.
The bonded facility allows export-oriented industries to import raw materials with duty and tax benefits for use in production. BTMA said diversion of such materials to the domestic market could cause revenue losses and put local manufacturers that pay duties and taxes at a competitive disadvantage.
BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell called for investigators to trace the seized yarn from import clearance through transportation and supply to establish the importer, bonded-licence holder, supplier and others involved.
“Seizing the product alone is not enough,” he said. “It is necessary to establish in whose name the product was imported, under which company’s bonded licence it was cleared, how it reached the relevant warehouse and where it was supposed to go, and then take legal action against the responsible individuals or companies.”
Industry representatives alleged that unauthorised stockpiling and marketing of bonded yarn and other raw materials were also taking place in industrial areas including Narsingdi, Narayanganj and Sirajganj.
They called for stronger investigations, risk-based monitoring, warehouse inspections and digital tracking to prevent abuse while ensuring genuine export-oriented manufacturers can continue importing raw materials without difficulty.
BTMA also urged investigators to examine how much the importing company produced and exported against its imported yarn and whether the seized stock matched its bonded inventory records.
The association said it would follow efforts to identify the importer, verify the relevant bonded accounts and monitor the investigation.
Industry leaders warned that continued misuse of bonded facilities could hurt domestic textile production, investment and employment while distorting competition in the local market.
They called for the Narsingdi and Narayanganj seizures to be investigated beyond the warehouses, with authorities tracing the yarn from its source to its intended destination and taking action against those responsible.
