Chattogram port is about to see a major structural reform as the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is set to launch a new customs house at the country’s premier seaport.
The new customs house will focus on facilitating inland container deport (ICD) operations to significantly accelerate export processing, ease import clearances, and reduce pressure on the existing Chattogram Custom House.
As such, the 21 private ICDs, Chattogram airport and air freight stations will be brought under a single dedicated commissionerate.
The initiative is part of a broader reform agenda undertaken of NBR to modernise customs administration and improve trade facilitation.
The NBR decided in October last year to form 12 new commissionerates and custom houses across the country to cope with the growing volume of trade and revenue.
One of the most important among them is the ICD Custom House Chattogram, given the central role of Chattogram port in Bangladesh’s foreign trade.
According to NBR officials, the groundwork for launching the new commissionerate has already begun.
Besides, a commissioner, additional commissioner, and three assistant revenue officers have already been posted to the new customs house.
Officials said the ICD Custom House will begin operations once the remaining procedural issues are resolved.
At present, all import-export activities conducted through Chattogram port and the 21 private ICDs, as well as customs clearance at the Shah Amanat International Airport and air freight stations, are handled by Chattogram customs.
With the start of the new ICD-based customs house, ICD and airport-based responsibilities will be transferred to the new commissionerate.
The initiative has been widely welcomed by key stakeholders, particularly exporters in the garment sector, which accounts for the bulk of Bangladesh’s export earnings and relies heavily on efficient container handling through ICDs.
Syed Mohammed Tanvir, managing director of Pacific Jeans, told TIMES of Bangladesh that the new commissionerate represents a positive step for the export sector.
“I believe the new ICD-based customs is a positive initiative, especially for garment exports,” said Tanvir, who is also a director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
“If the ICDs are operated under a dedicated commissionerate, it will not only support exports but also aid the clearance of imported raw materials. So, we welcome the initiative to move the garment export sector forward.”
Sources said the NBR has approved the creation of 664 posts for ICD Custom House to ensure adequate manpower for its wide-ranging responsibilities.
Of these positions, 109 are allocated to the headquarters division, 197 to the ICD inspection division, 139 to the ICD customs (assessment) division, 57 to the ICD auction unit, 126 to the airport division, and 36 to the air freight unit.
According to NBR officials, the new commissionerate’s office will initially be located at the Chattogram Custom House premises.
The existing customs house building is slated for demolition as part of a plan to construct a new modern facility. During this period, operations of the Chattogram Custom House will be temporarily shifted to the Agrabad World Trade Center.
Md Moazzem Hossain, member (customs and VAT administration) of the NBR, said a few procedural matters still need to be completed.
“Once these are resolved, operations of ICD Custom House will start soon,” he added.
As part of the preparations, the NBR issued a notification on 30 December, appointing Abul Bashar Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman as commissioner of ICD Custom House.
Then on January 6, the NBR assigned him additional responsibilities as commissioner of ICD Custom House alongside his role as the commissioner of customs excise and VAT (appeal) commissionerate.
Despite welcoming the initiative, ICD operators have raised concerns about manpower adequacy at the depot level. According to the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA), each depot currently employs between 10 and 20 customs officers, depending on its size and volume of work.
BICDA Secretary General Ruhul Amin Sikder said this number is often insufficient.
“Considering the size of the depots and the range of services they provide, the number of customs officers is lower than required,” he said. “Under the new commissionerate, we believe the posting of customs officials at depots should be increased further.”
Captain Kamrul Islam Mazumder, director and chief operating officer of Summit Alliance Port Limited (SAPL), echoed similar sentiments.
“We are not yet sure when the operations will begin, but a dedicated Custom House will help resolve import and export issues more quickly,” he said. “It will speed up work. We welcome NBR’s initiative. Having a single focal point will ensure better service.”
