Ctg Customs’ revenue recovery from false import declarations jumps 83.6% in Q1

The consignment had an assessable value of Tk1.33 crore, with the potential revenue loss estimated at Tk43.43 lakh. Customs imposed a Tk50 lakh fine and a Tk5 lakh redemption fine, allowing the goods to be released subject to payment of applicable duties and taxes and compliance with import regulations.

In another case, Rangpur Metal Industries Ltd declared 264,203kg of seamless pipes imported from China. An inspection uncovered an additional 72,500kg, or 27.4% more than the declared quantity.

Customs estimated the revenue loss or exposure at Tk1.14 crore and imposed a Tk1.2 crore fine and a Tk15 lakh redemption fine.

The two cases involved estimated revenue losses or exposure of around Tk1.57 crore, excluding the fines and redemption charges.

Kazi Mahmud Imam, former secretary of the Chattogram Customs Agents Association, described the increase in enforcement as unprecedented.

“In my 40-year career in customs, I have never seen such a high number of cases involving false declarations,” he told TBS.

He credited the National Board of Revenue for appointing competent officials to key positions, saying continued enforcement could discourage misdeclaration and boost revenue collection.

Revenue recovery rises sharply

AIR data show that enforcement has intensified over the past three years.

In the first quarter of FY25, customs locked 167 consignments, filed 228 cases, and collected Tk27.44 crore in revenue and fines. In the corresponding period of FY26, 361 consignments were locked, 199 cases were filed, and collections reached Tk31.7 crore.

In Q1 FY27, the number of locked consignments rose to 467, while cases increased to 270, and collections climbed to Tk58.2 crore.

For the full FY26, the AIR wing locked 1,451 consignments and filed 843 cases. It collected Tk52.08 crore in revenue and Tk59.63 crore in fines, bringing the combined amount to Tk111.72 crore.

The figures indicate increased detection and enforcement, though they do not establish the overall prevalence of false declarations among imports.

Businesses call for targeted enforcement

Business leaders have urged customs authorities to take stronger action against importers deliberately misdeclaring goods, while cautioning against excessive scrutiny that could disrupt legitimate trade.

Former BGMEA vice-president Nasir Uddin Chowdhury said organised networks were sometimes involved in misdeclaration, using the names of established businesses and damaging their reputations when irregularities were detected.

He called for stronger surveillance and exemplary punishment rather than relying solely on fines. Excessive checks on all importers, he warned, could delay cargo clearance, disrupt export shipments and penalise compliant businesses.

Misdeclaration can involve incorrect tariff classifications, understated quantities or values, and concealing goods under descriptions that attract lower duties.

Customs has flagged suspected irregularities involving machinery and luxury vehicles declared as scrap, cosmetics declared as modelling clay, mobile phones concealed under other descriptions, and fabric imported under incorrect declarations.

Customs steps up monitoring

Chattogram Customs Assistant Commissioner and spokesperson Sharif Al Amin told this newspaper that the department was strengthening surveillance and coordination with other agencies through digital systems, with plans to integrate services under the National Single Window.

He said customs officials had become more alert following recent incidents and would intensify monitoring to ensure compliance with existing laws and procedures.

Sustaining the drive will require effective, risk-based inspections and consistent action against offenders without unnecessarily delaying legitimate cargo, officials and business representatives said.