Cosmetics, car parts concealed as toothpicks, agri machinery; Tk7.5cr duty evasion uncovered

The National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) and Chattogram Customs House have uncovered eight cases of alleged customs fraud involving high-duty goods concealed behind declarations of lower-duty imports, with estimated revenue evasion of around Tk7.5 crore.

Intelligence-led inspections at Chattogram port found branded cosmetics, prohibited creams, automotive parts, bearings, nuts and bolts, PVC flex banners and other undeclared goods. In one case, investigators found that a locked container’s original customs seal had allegedly been replaced to remove it before inspection.

Customs authorities are finalising legal proceedings against the importers and relevant clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents under Sections 33 and 171 of the Customs Act, 2023.

Cosmetics concealed as agricultural machinery, toothpick

Fortune Global Trading of Dhaka’s New Market declared 11,956kg of agricultural power sprayer machines from China under bill of entry C-1203065. 

Inspectors instead found stage lights, face and sun creams, toothpaste, peeling gel, serum, LED lights, sunglasses and black hair shampoo. The estimated revenue loss was Tk2.5 crore.

Kaf Corporation of Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka, declared 22.5 tonnes of toothpicks from China under bill of entry C-1098766, but inspectors found only 1,620kg.

The remaining cargo included Pakistani Gori Beauty Cream, face and sun creams, anti-ageing gel, hair-removal spray, premium sunglasses and a sexual-enhancement spray marketed as “delay spray”. The cream was described as prohibited by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). Estimated revenue evasion was Tk2.8 crore.

Automotive parts declared as rubber bushes

HR Enterprise of Dhaka declared 16,040kg of engine rubber bushes from Thailand under bill of entry C-1216730. Inspectors found only 6,625kg of the declared product. 

The rest comprised higher-duty automotive components, including engine mountings, suspension and arm bushes, centre bearings, spring shackles and steering parts. The shipment contained around 22% more goods by weight than declared.

Estimated revenue evasion was Tk44 lakh. Customs officials also stopped the importer from changing the HS code for another consignment, C-1234267, without prior approval from the commissioner.

New Trust Traders declared 23,618kg of heat-transfer paper from China under bill of entry C-1054001. Inspectors found only 3,160kg of paper; the remaining 21,467kg consisted of undeclared, higher-duty PVC flex banners. Estimated revenue evasion was Tk40 lakh.

Nuts, bolts and bearings concealed in industrial imports

Mohammadia Trade of Wari declared 22 tonnes of stainless steel circles and excavator gears under bill of entry C-1237019. Inspectors found only 3.8 tonnes of the declared goods, alongside 22,113kg of undeclared nuts, bolts and screws. Estimated revenue evasion was Tk32 lakh.

New Rony Enterprise of Bangshal was found to have imported 17,592kg of nuts and bolts, 2,787kg of heavy rolling bearings and 2,336kg of gas-lift cylinders for revolving chairs. The estimated revenue loss was Tk42 lakh.

Customs seal allegedly replaced on locked container

In another consignment, Kaf Corporation’s container, under bill of entry C-1246669, had been selected for the Yellow Lane and locked in the ASYCUDA World system following intelligence about possible duty evasion. 

However, C&F agent representatives allegedly attempted to remove it before inspection.

On 19 September 2026, the container was allegedly taken down without authorisation using forged signatures of transferred officials, and its original bill-of-lading seal was replaced with seal SGT596953. 

Customs officials said intelligence-led inspections and digital risk management had helped expose the alleged fraud. They said the attempted seal replacement raised concerns about a possible organised network and pledged legal action to protect domestic industries and government revenue.