Customs goes tough against tax evasion in Benapole port

The Benapole customs authorities have launched a crackdown on tax evasion in Benapole customs house and port.

The authorities have also intensified its efforts to increase import and export between the two neighbouring countries- Bangladesh and India- through speedy unloading of goods from trucks and rail cargoes.

Benapole Customs House Commissioner Belal Hossain Chowdhury expressed the above information while addressing a videoconference with C&F agents and customs officials on Sunday afternoon.

Importers and C&F agents involved in tax evasion will be blacklisted and their shipments will be come under hundred per cent scrutiny, he warned.

And those who are importers of fine repute could get their goods released without examination through the product invoice "D" mark, he said.

Consignments of chemical products will be released after tests in the chemical laboratories and the results will be published as per examination reports.

If anyone tries to gain interest from the weighing scale, action will be taken against them. Replying to various questions from traders, the commissioner said on June 4, the National Board of Revenue had directed to launch a side-door rail cargo through Benapole port.

At the same time, instruction was given to construct a railway terminal yard.

In the second week of this month, import of goods by rail cargo started through Benapole port.

In just twelve days, the government has earned Tk 300 million (30 crore).

While 500 truckloads of goods were imported daily through Benapole port every day, at present only 150 truckloads of goods are imported through due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, at the Kalitala parking lot in the Petrapole port on the Indian side, members of a syndicate are realising a toll of Rs.2000 per truckload of goods. However, the Benapole port handles trade worth Tk 300 billion (30,000 crore) a year with India.

The National Board of Revenue has set a revenue target of Tk 50 million (5,000 crore) for Benapole customs house in the current financial year.

The traders demanded that six-lane Benapole-Jashore Highway be constructed and elevated trains from Benapole check post to Benapole Bazar be introduced and ICD be opened and a four-lane bypass road be constructed. The commissioner said these demands have already been passed and the projects will be implemented through ADB funding.

The videoconference was participated 100 traders from across the country.