Chattogram Customs revenue recovery jumps in FY27 Q1 on false declaration crackdown

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Chattogram Customs revenue FY27 Q1

Highlights

Chattogram Customs House increased the number of locked consignments by 29.4% year on year in FY27 Q1, targeting false import declarations.
Revenue and fines collected from crackdown cases surged 83.6% to Tk58.2 crore in FY27 Q1, compared to Tk31.7 crore a year earlier.
In September, Cowboy Foods Company Ltd and Rangpur Metal Industries Ltd were fined Tk55 lakh and Tk1.35 crore, respectively, for misdeclaration of goods from China.

Q1 enforcement drive lifts customs collections

As reported by The Business Standard, the Audit, Investigation and Research wing at Chattogram Customs House intensifies action against suspected false import declarations in the first quarter of FY27, with the number of locked consignments rising 29.4% year on year from 361 in the same period of FY26.

Revenue and fines collected from these cases surge 83.6% from Tk31.7 crore a year earlier to Tk58.2 crore, according to customs data. The latest figures indicate a sharper compliance push at the country's prime seaport, where customs officials are focusing on cargo descriptions, quantities and duty exposure.

September cases show scale of alleged evasion

Two cases detected in September illustrate how importers allegedly attempt to avoid duties through misdeclaration of goods and shipment volumes.

In one case, Cowboy Foods Company Ltd imports a consignment from China declared as generator sets and accessories. A physical examination finds 13,335kg of undeclared goods, including solar streetlights, inverters, portable power stations, food additives, tea sets and lithium-ion battery modules. Customs says the consignment has an assessable value of Tk1.33 crore and estimates potential revenue loss at Tk43.43 lakh. Authorities impose a Tk50 lakh fine and a Tk5 lakh redemption fine, while allowing release of the goods subject to payment of duties and taxes and compliance with import rules.

In another case, Rangpur Metal Industries Ltd declares 264,203kg of seamless pipes imported from China. An inspection uncovers an additional 72,500kg, or 27.4% more than the declared quantity. Customs estimates revenue loss or exposure at Tk1.14 crore and imposes a Tk1.2 crore fine and a Tk15 lakh redemption fine.

Kazi Mahmud Imam, former secretary of the Chattogram Customs Agents Association, says the increase in enforcement is unprecedented. He says that in his 40-year career in customs, he has never seen such a high number of cases involving false declarations.

Our earlier article on Malaysia’s review of enforcement for foreign product entry explained how authorities are tightening coordination between ministries to ensure fair competition as digital trade and foreign e-commerce expand. It also highlighted related plans such as an e-Commerce Bill, standardized local-product promotion under the “Jom Beli Produk Malaysia” logo, and funding aimed at helping SMEs reach digital platforms and overseas markets.

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