Chattogram Customs revenue jumps 29% in August after July slump

Jul-Aug revenue Tk7,512cr short of target despite rebound.

Chattogram customs house saw a strong rebound in revenue collection in August, with receipts rising 29.20% year-on-year to Tk7,092 crore after a 6.78% decline in July.

According to customs revenue statistics, the collection was Tk5,489.27 crore in August last year, meaning receipts increased by Tk1,602.73 crore this year.

The surge lifted cumulative revenue collection in the first two months of FY2026-27 to Tk14,017.68 crore, up 8.51% from Tk12,918.65 crore during the same period a year earlier.

However, the customs house remains well short of its two-month revenue target of Tk21,530.34 crore. The Tk14,017.68 crore collection leaves a deficit of Tk7,512.66 crore.

Revenue collection in July stood at Tk6,925.68 crore, down from Tk7,429.38 crore a year earlier.

The sharp turnaround in August came as port operations and import-export activities gained momentum, helping customs revenue recover from the sluggish start to the fiscal year.

“Revenue growth in August is positive. We are trying to make customs operations more dynamic to maintain this trend,” Sharif Mohammad Al Amin, assistant commissioner and spokesperson for Chattogram Customs House, told TBS.

“Revenue collection depends heavily on import activities. If imports remain normal and the current growth trend continues, there is an opportunity to achieve the target,” he added.

August rebound offsets July decline

The August increase more than offset July’s year-on-year decline, leaving cumulative revenue Tk1,099.03 crore higher than in the corresponding period of FY2025-26.

Customs officials said import activity is a key determinant of revenue collection, as duties and taxes on imported goods account for a major share of Chattogram Customs’ receipts. The value and volume of imports, along with applicable duties and taxes, directly affect collections.

Tk81,471cr collected last fiscal year

Chattogram Customs House collected Tk81,471.37 crore in FY2025-26, registering 12.37% growth from the previous fiscal year.

As Chattogram Port handles the bulk of Bangladesh’s international maritime trade, its import activity has a direct bearing on customs revenue.

The strong August performance offers some relief after July’s decline. But with a Tk7,512.66 crore shortfall against the two-month target, customs will need sustained revenue growth in the coming months to close the gap.