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The ongoing work stoppage and shutdown by Customs House officials in Chittagong have severely disrupted import-export activities at the Chittagong Port. The protests, primarily against the proposed dissolution of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and other demands, have led to an unprecedented backlog of 8,000-10,000 containers, marking the highest number of unexported containers in the port’s history.
Although container delivery picked up slightly after the prolonged Eid-ul-Adha holidays, Customs officer resumed their work stoppage on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a “complete shutdown” on Saturday and Sunday (June 28-29). This halted customs clearance and delivery, resulting in approximately 7,000 containers remaining unexported over the two days.
Ruhul Amin Sikder, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), stated, “Export goods are piling up at depots, but due to the absence of Customs officers, clearance processes are stalled, preventing containers from reaching the port.” Three vessels—AS Cecilia, Express Nilwala, and Hong Da Jin-68—were scheduled to depart with export containers on Sunday but remained idle due to the lack of cleared containers.
The ready-made garment sector is among the worst affected, with entrepreneurs facing significant financial losses due to delays in shipments. Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, a director of BGMEA, noted, “The work stoppage is preventing businesses from repaying loans in July, pushing many establishments toward closure.” Khairul Alam Sujan, a director of the Shipping Agents Association, added, “This movement is negatively impacting import-export activities and exacerbating container congestion at the port.”
Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Md. Omar Faruk confirmed that the Customs’ actions have significantly disrupted operations. Chittagong Customs House spokesperson Saidul Islam stated, “Chittagong Customs officers fully support the NBR’s movement, resulting in a complete halt of operations.”
On Sunday (June 29), the government declared that all jobs under NBR, including Customs Houses and related stations, are “essential services.” It urged protesting officers to return to work immediately, warning of strict measures if they fail to comply, citing the adverse impact on the economy and public interest.
AI/MR
