NBR moves to ease container congestion at Ctg port

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a special order aimed at accelerating the clearance and unloading of goods at Chattogram port.

Issued on May 14, the order seeks to reduce container congestion at the port, ensure safety, cut costs, prevent wastage of state resources, and enhance the overall operational capacity of Chittagong Port.

According to the NBR, uncleared containers dating from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2023 have severely disrupted port operations. The presence of outdated chemicals and hazardous goods has also posed significant security risks, including the potential for explosions.

The standard auction process has proven inadequate in addressing these challenges swiftly. Various issues—such as complications with clearing conditional or controlled goods, pending legal cases, non-clearance by auction winners, and logistical shortcomings—have further delayed the process.

To address this, the special order outlines a set of streamlined procedures for the auction, disposal, and management of disposable goods (excluding vehicles) until December 31, 2023. Key provisions include:

Disposable goods may be sold at the highest price offered in the first auction, without setting a reserve price, except in special cases.

Goods deemed conditional, controlled, or prohibited under import/export policies—or goods that have deteriorated or cannot be auctioned—may be transferred without auction to specialized or technically capable organizations for destruction or neutralization.

If no bids are received in two consecutive auctions, the goods may be sold at the highest bid received after wide publicity, foregoing a third auction.

Expired hazardous or chemical products certified as usable by inspection authorities may be sold to qualified users or organizations at the highest offer.

The NBR believes that implementing this order will ease the long-standing container backlog, streamline port operations, reduce costs for importers and exporters, and positively impact the national economy.

The revenue board expects all port stakeholders to benefit from the new measures.