Benapole Customs House exceeds target by Tk 3.1651b

In the outgoing fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, Benapole Customs House collected Tk3.1651 billion (Tk316.51 crore) more in revenue than the set target.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) had set a revenue target of Tk67.05 billion (Tk6,705 crore), but the actual collection reached Tk70.2151billion (Tk7,021.51 crore), exceeding the target by 4.72 per cent.

According to customs sources, in the previous FY 2023-24, the revenue target was Tk59.48 billion (Tk5,948 crore), but Tk61.6738 billion (Tk6,167.38 crore) was collected-Tk2.1938 billion (Tk219.38 crore) above the target.

Customs and trade stakeholders said that despite political and economic instability, along with disruptions caused by the NBR Reform Unity Council's pen-down strikes and complete shutdowns, revenue collection continued steadily, leading to achievement of the annual target.

Matior Rahman, director of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said that thanks to the continuous supervision of the commissioner and other officials, Benapole Customs House was able to collect more revenue than the target, even during these disruptions.

Due to its short distance and improved connectivity, nearly 80 per cent of Bangladesh's land-based imports from neighbouring India come through Benapole port.

Annually, goods worth approximately Tk400billion (Tk40,000 crore) are imported through the port, generating around Tk 100 billion (Tk 10,000 crore) in direct and indirect revenue for the government.

At the start of each fiscal year, the NBR sets the revenue target. For the previous fiscal year, Benapole Customs House's target was set at Tk67.05 billion (Tk6,705 crore).

In the FY 2023-24, 1,581,954.24 tonnes of goods were imported through Benapole port, while in the FY 2024-25, imports totaled 1,534,340.21 tonnes. Despite a decline in import volume, revenue collection exceeded the target thanks to strict customs monitoring and accurate valuation, officials said.

Md. Emdadul Haque Lata, general secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, said 400 to 500 trucks with imported goods arrive daily through Benapole, while 150 to 200 trucks of export goods leave. He attributed the higher revenue collection to customs authorities' strict measures against tax evasion.

Benapole Port Deputy Director Mamun Tarafder said that in the FY 2023-24, exports through Benapole totaled 350,774.85 tonnes while in the FY 2024-25, exports stood at 381,440.77 tonnes-a decrease of 30,665.15 tonnes compared to the previous year. He added that infrastructure development at the port is ongoing.

Md. Kamruzzaman, commissioner of Benapole Customs House, said that despite an 8 per cent decline in total imports over the FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, revenue growth increased by 13.51 per cent to 14 per cent-an impressive achievement for the customs house. He emphasised that the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy against tax evasion has significantly reduced attempts at duty dodging. He further added that any detected irregularities are met with revenue recovery actions and strict legal measures.

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