Revenue collection exceeds target at Benapole Customs House

The largest land port of the country, Benapole, has seen a decrease in the import of goods from India. However, despite the reduction in imports, revenue collection has increased. The growth in revenue collection has risen by 13.19%.

According to port sources, in the first 9 months of the fiscal year 2024-25 (from July to March), approximately 28,40,099 tons of goods were exported from India. In the same period of the previous fiscal year 2023-24, around 29,43,071 tons of goods were exported.

According to the figures, 10,272 tons fewer goods were exported compared to the previous fiscal year.

Among the imported goods at the port are raw materials for industries, ready-made garments, children’s food, fish, chemicals, and various other items. Exported goods include jute, jute products, garments, ready-made clothes, chemicals, tissue paper, melamine, and fish. Of the country’s 24 land ports, 16 ports are involved in trade with India. Among these, the most trade takes place at the Benapole-Petrapole port.

In the first 9 months of the fiscal year 2024-25, about 12,33,746.29 tons of goods were imported from India. In the first 9 months of the previous fiscal year 2023-24, around 12,52,767.29 tons of goods were imported. According to the figures, 19,020.82 tons fewer goods were imported compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Customs sources reveal that although the import of goods has decreased somewhat, in the first 9 months of the current fiscal year, revenue collection has exceeded the target by 363.73 crore taka. The revenue collection target for the Benapole Customs House for the current fiscal year (2024-25) has been set at 6,705 crore taka. Accordingly, the revenue collection target for the first 9 months of the fiscal year was 5,432.3 crore taka. However, the collection has reached 5,797.76 crore taka.

The monthly revenue collections are as follows:

• July: 413.22 crore taka, August: 401.55 crore taka, September: 489.11 crore taka, October: 524.63 crore taka, November: 614.71 crore taka, December: 778.95 crore taka, January: 621.63 crore taka, February: 818.05 crore taka, March: 770.11 crore taka.

Mohsin Millan, Senior Vice President of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, said, “Although the import from India has decreased somewhat due to political tensions between the two countries following the fall of the fascist government in the country, most importers are still keen on using the Benapole port due to improved connectivity. However, with the Customs authorities imposing stricter measures to prevent revenue evasion, dishonest traders are facing difficulties.”

Ziaur Rahman, General Secretary of the Benapole Import-Export Association, said, “Since the interim government assumed office, various initiatives have been taken to expand trade. In the last three months, the port cargo vehicle terminal has been established at the zero line of Benapole port, and scanning machines have been installed at the port.

With the efforts of the National Revenue Board, the Benapole Customs authorities have taken several measures to prevent revenue evasion and facilitate trade, which has brought some momentum to the trade, reducing hassles. This will play a significant role in increasing imports and exports in the future once the obstacles are overcome.”

He further added, “During the final days of the previous autocratic government, it was difficult to get the required dollars from the bank to open Letters of Credit (LC) for goods imports. As a result, it was not possible to open sufficient LCs during that period. However, after the current government took charge, the dollar crisis has gradually eased, and importers are no longer facing problems opening LCs.”

Shamim Hossain, Director (Traffic) of the Benapole Land Port, mentioned, “To expand business and trade, Benapole Land Port has ensured that the port remains open 24/7. We have also arranged for continuous loading, unloading, and import-export activities throughout the week. Additionally, new infrastructure development work is underway at the port. Once these projects are completed, they will play a significant role in expanding trade.”

The Commissioner of Benapole Customs House, Md. Kamruzzaman, said, “To simplify legitimate import-export trade, timely reforms have been implemented. As a result, although the overall imports at Benapole have decreased, revenue collection has exceeded the target by 363.73 crore taka as of March this year. The revenue growth has been more than 13.19%. If this situation continues, the revenue target will be achieved by the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, in the export trade, although the volume of exports decreased by 6.89% in the first 9 months of the fiscal year, the value of export goods increased by 28.07%.”