The National Board of Revenue on Monday allowed transfer of containers filled with imported goods destined for Dhaka鈥檚 Inland Container Depot at Kamalapur.
These containers can either be moved from Chattogram port or Pangaon Inland Container Terminal.
This decision was made to address severe congestion at the Chattogram port, where containers bound for Dhaka have piled up due to recent political unrest, said the NBR in a press release on Monday.
The press release also mentioned that a total of 1,856 containers currently stuck at the Chattogram port can be transferred.
To ease the situation, importers have until October 31 to avail this opportunity, but they must follow four conditions, according to the press release. However, the release did not specify what these conditions are.
Previously, the Chattogram Port Authority sent a letter to the NBR, requesting instructions from the revenue authority on how to handle this situation, as it required amendments to Import General Manifest.
An IGM is聽a document that contains detailed information about cargo carried on a vessel or an aircraft entering a country.
The CPA manages the process of transferring containers and containers must be transported by water if they are to be transferred from Chattogram port to Pangaon ICT.
Typically, after containers are unloaded from ships at the Chattogram port, importers collect them directly from the port yard.
Alternatively, they can have the containers shipped to Pangaon ICT at Keraniganj in Dhaka or have them transported by train to the Kamalapur ICD in the capital.
For the release of these goods, importers need to submit an application to relevant customs houses 鈥攅ither at Chattogram Custom House, ICD Custom House or at Pangaon Custom House. This application must include a detailed list of containers and preferred location for their release.
Due to the recent political unrest and flood situation, rail transport has been halted at several points, causing containers bound for Dhaka to be stuck at the Chattogram port.
Earlier on Saturday, the country鈥檚 apparel makers said that the recent flooding had disrupted the readymade garment sector supply chain by submerging the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. They sought alternative routes for transportation of goods in time of natural calamities.
They urged the government to arrange for exporting containers via the Pangaon port due to the flooding on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, saying that the alternative route was crucial to meet export deadlines.