Bangladesh tightens monitoring of Indian cargo trucks through automated system

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has begun round-the-clock monitoring of the movement of all Indian cargo trucks entering and exiting Bangladesh through the Benapole land port, marking a shift from manual oversight to an automated tracking system.

To facilitate this, the NBR has introduced a sub-module titled “Truck Movement” within ASYCUDA World, the software platform used for managing import-export data and customs duties, according to a media statement issued on Thursday.

The new system has now been rolled out in an automated form at Benapole Customs House as an initial step.

The NBR said the sub-module was developed to electronically record data on the entry of Indian import-laden trucks into Bangladesh and the return of empty trucks to India.

“As a result, accurate data on the arrival and departure of each Indian truck will be preserved, enabling effective monitoring of every vehicle,” the revenue authority said.

According to the NBR, the system will allow authorities to determine how long Indian trucks remain within the country, improve data management, help prevent revenue leakage, ensure transparency and accountability, strengthen border security, and generate real-time reports.

The monitoring system was launched as a pilot at Benapole on Monday, and NBR said preparations are under way to begin live operations of the module at all land ports across the country in the near future.

The move comes against the backdrop of growing strains in Bangladesh–India relations following the political upheaval of 2024, with tit-for-tat restrictions disrupting bilateral trade.

On May 18 this year, India imposed a ban on the import of around seven categories of goods from Bangladesh through land ports, including processed food and garments.

The restriction followed Bangladesh’s earlier ban on the import of Indian yarn through land ports, imposed about a month earlier. India’s commerce ministry said the counter-restrictions took immediate effect.

By late October, the government also decided to limit import and export activities through Benapole port. Without prior notice or preparation, all trade operations through the port were suspended after 6pm each day.