Finance Minister AMA Muhith stressed facilitating movements through borders and thwarting terrorism rather than revenue collection, as he fears that the current crisis would continue.
He criticised the ongoing political impasse which is hampering transportation of goods and passengers.
It would be a great trouble if such situation continues further, the finance minister told his audience at a programme arranged on the occasion of celebration of the International Customs Day 2015 in the city.
"Common people are being burnt due to the vindictive system," he said -- in what appears to be an implicit reference to the nonstop transport blockade sponsored by a political coalition.
"There is a limit to tolerance. The consequences will be deadly if that limit is crossed," he said.
Inter-district haulage on long routes has been greatly disrupted by the blockade-hartal serial programme being carried out by the BNP-led alliance since January 5 over election issues.
Over three dozen people, including transport drivers-helpers, have died from burns and violence while export-import activities have been obstructed to a great extent, reports say.
Mr Muhith noted that Value Added Tax (VAT) and income tax are the main sources of revenue earning now for the government exchequer.
He appreciated efforts of the customs department to shift focus from revenue collection to integrated border management for smooth run of trans-border trade.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) celebrated the International Customs Day with the theme 'coordinated border management'.
Bangladesh Customs organized the programme at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
NBR chairman Md Nojibur Rahman said the customs wing has taken initiative to ensure hassle-free system to facilitate trade.
"Trade-friendly system would be established in the customs through using digital technology," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed suggested the NBR to frame policies on public-private partnership to promote trade and investment.
Dr Mashiur Rahman, Economic Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister, suggested study and research on 'fiscal economy' to levy customs tariffs through impact analysis.
"Customs-related decisions and discretionary taxation have macroeconomic and farm-level impacts. Research is needed to take correct decisions," he said.
Dr Rahman said the government could build capacity of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) to do such research.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Kazi Akram urged the government to frame policies after adequate discussion with the private sector.
Business-friendly environment should be established to remove fear-factor among the taxpayers, he added.
Khondaker Aminur Rahman, customs member and convener of the customs day celebration committee, delivered welcome speech while customs Member Farid Uddin delivered vote of thanks.
The NBR awarded some 20 persons, including customs officials and stakeholders, with World Customs Organisation (WCO) certificates for their outstanding performances.
Md Anwar Hossain, Director-General (DG) of customs, excise and VAT training academy, Chittagong, Dr Moinul Khan, DG of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, and Farjana Afroz, DG of Duty Exemption and Drawback Office (DEDO), received the award.
Among the joint commissioners, Md Feroz Uddin Ahmed of large taxpayers unit (LTU), Md Shamsul Islam of Dhaka (east) and ABM Shafiqur Rahman of Benapole received the award.
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