How can Bangladesh make 24/7 customs clearance actually work?

Bangladesh has moved customs operations at major ports towards round-the-clock services to speed up cargo clearance and increase trade activity.

But business stakeholders say keeping customs open alone cannot ensure faster clearance, as payments, shipping, transport and other services must also operate during weekends and holidays.

They argue that the entire clearance chain needs to work together for the 24/7 system to deliver its intended benefits.

Representatives across the trade sector say coordination among all 26 agencies involved in cargo clearance is essential, including banks, shipping lines, freight forwarders and logistics providers.

Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said importers do not deliberately leave cargo uncleared.

“Due to a lack of cooperation or customs complications, we often cannot clear goods quickly despite the high costs of importing them,” he said.

Syed Mohammad Arif, managing director of M&M International, said customs operations during holidays should match those of regular working days.

“If customs remains open, it must operate as it does on a normal working day. At the same time, all stakeholders must be brought into the process,” he said.

The issue extends beyond customs assessments. Importers also need banks to process payments, shipping lines and agents to release cargo, freight forwarders to handle consignments and transport operators to move goods from ports.

At Chattogram port, customs officials said registering a bill of entry is only the first step.

Assessment, duty payment, shipping agent clearance and transport arrangements must all be completed before cargo can be delivered.

C&F agents also pointed to difficulties caused by deploying customs officers to unfamiliar branches during holiday shifts.

Kazi Mahmud Imam, former general secretary of the Chattogram C&F Agents Association, said officials may lack sufficient experience with the assessment rules, statutory regulatory orders and other requirements specific to those branches.

The stakeholders therefore argue that a 24/7 customs system needs corresponding round-the-clock support from the wider clearance and logistics network.