HSIA cargo village disruption: Customs asked to clear goods within 24 hours

The government has directed Dhaka Customs House to release all imported goods within 24 hours at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) to ease the disruption caused by the recent fire at the cargo village.

Customs and related agencies have been instructed to operate round the clock to clear pending consignments, with any unreleased items to be shifted to a temporary warehouse nearby.

In an emergency meeting on Wednesday night, the authorities also urged apparel manufacturers and exporters to take responsibility for releasing their goods directly, meeting sources said.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser SK Bashir Uddin chaired the meeting at Biman House in the capital.

The move follows one of the country's most damaging logistics disruptions in years, with initial loss estimates reaching up to US$1.0 billion.

According to Customs officials and industry insiders, it typically takes up to 72 hours to clear imports at HSIA, as this window is treated as a "port charge-free" period.

Importers must submit bills of entry within 21 days of cargo unloading, extendable by 10 days. Failure to release goods within that period can result in auction and financial penalties.

A senior Dhaka Customs House official, requesting anonymity, said the accelerated clearance target could be achieved if all stakeholders cooperate.

"Normally, importers need at least eight hours to receive the airway bill before their clearing agents can submit the required documents," he said, noting that certain items also require BSTI certification before release.

The two-hour meeting was attended by Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Biman Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman, Dhaka Customs House Commissioner Md Mosiur Rahman, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, and DHL Express Bangladesh Managing Director Md Miarul Haque, among others.

Officials at the meeting said two separate investigation teams are currently probing the cause of the fire. Until the inquiries are complete, reconstruction at the damaged cargo village will remain suspended.

As part of the contingency plan, a temporary warehouse will be set up near Dhaka Customs House.

The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) will assist in installing a cooling system there, while the BGMEA will help secure the site with fencing.

The BKMEA, meanwhile, requested two 40-foot containers to store unreleased documents and courier goods.

"The government has asked garment manufacturers to release their goods at their own responsibility and obtain C&F licences in their own interest," BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem told The Financial Express.

"We've already arranged two containers - one from Chittagong and another sent by the BGMEA president."

Earlier on Wednesday, the authorities announced that Dhaka Customs House would remain operational 24/7 through Friday and Saturday (October 25-26) to ensure uninterrupted customs clearance.

The extended hours are intended to help maintain trade continuity and mitigate the severe disruption to air cargo operations following the fire.

newsmanjasi@gmail.com