The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has seized 101 cartons of imported goods from the Air Freight area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) following a drive against misdeclaration. The seized items include used laptops, used automobile parts, wristwatches, hard drives, and mini-PCs.
The operation was conducted jointly by officials from the CIID headquarters and the Air Freight Circle on Thursday in the yard adjacent to Delivery Gate No 8 of the HSIA Air Freight area. National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials were also present during the operation.
According to sources, the importer, Sardar Global Trade, brought the consignment from the United Arab Emirates. The shipment was declared to contain motor parts, cosmetics, mini-PCs, tablets, projectors, and computer parts. The importer’s nominated C&F agent Fahim 5 Star Ltd submitted Bill on Wednesday through the ASYCUDA World System to clear the goods.
Acting on prior intelligence, CIID officials intercepted the consignment and conducted a physical examination. The inspection revealed that old and used products were imported under the guise of new goods, which constitutes a violation of import regulations.
The seized 101 cartons contained 450 laptops (HP, DELL, Lenovo, Microsoft), 963.8 kg of car parts, 96 units of 6TB hard drives, 291.14 kg of cosmetics, and 96 used mini-PCs.
Officials estimated the value of the goods to be approximately Tk1 crore. As these items are prohibited or controlled, there is no legal provision for their release through the payment of duties and taxes.
CIID officials said the attempt to release the cosmetics was made without fulfilling mandatory import conditions, posing a risk to public health.
Furthermore, the import of used electronics is prohibited as they are environmentally harmful and pose a risk of defrauding consumers by being sold as new.
Authorities are also investigating whether the motor parts constitute an unassembled vehicle, with the chassis potentially being brought in separately via containers.
NBR Public Relations Officer Md Al-Amin Shaikh confirmed the matter and said legal action is being initiated against the importer and the C&F agent under the Customs Act to determine their respective liabilities.
