Ctg Customs destroys 150 tonnes of powdered milk
Doulot Akter Mala | Saturday, 12 July 2008
The Chittagong Customs House destroyed 150 tonnes of date-expired imported powdered milk worth US$ 0.25 million Monday last.
The powdered milk was imported in six containers in 2004 and its date expired in 2006. The cargo has since remained stuck up at the port due to procedural complexities.
Importers could not release the containers due to disputes over payment and differences in opinions on fixation of terms and conditions with the local marketing agencies.
A customs official said: "It is very unpleasant that we have to destroy the essential commodity at a time when it is becoming dearer in the market and unaffordable for middle income group of people."
Bangladesh consumes around 3,000 tonnes of milk powder a month and more than 95 per cent of it is imported.
Prices of powdered milk rose by 54 per cent this year due to a hike in its prices in countries of origin.
Import duty of powdered milk is around 37 per cent for bulk and 77 per cent for retail.
The country imported bulk milk power around 5,965 tonnes in January, 3,871 tonnes in February and 2,964 tonnes in March this year.
The customs house could avoid the destruction if the government had introduced simplified procedures of re-export or disposal of cases, the official said.
The Chittagong and Benapole customs houses have been able to speed up the case disposal procedure under the present interim government.
The Chittagong customs house has expedited the destruction procedure of the powdered milk to ease present congestion in the port.
Some containers that had remained stranded since 1994 were recently released following the government intervention, the customs official said.
The Chittagong customs house last year destroyed about 8000 tonnes of damaged goods, largely food products, from those stranded containers, he added.
Destruction is the last option for those containers stranded for long. After recommendation of a destruction committee on nature of goods the port authority takes final decision.
According to customs rule, all stuck up containers should be put on auction if concerned importer fails to release those within 30 days. But, the process often faces roadblock as concerned importer files cases in the court.
The powdered milk was imported in six containers in 2004 and its date expired in 2006. The cargo has since remained stuck up at the port due to procedural complexities.
Importers could not release the containers due to disputes over payment and differences in opinions on fixation of terms and conditions with the local marketing agencies.
A customs official said: "It is very unpleasant that we have to destroy the essential commodity at a time when it is becoming dearer in the market and unaffordable for middle income group of people."
Bangladesh consumes around 3,000 tonnes of milk powder a month and more than 95 per cent of it is imported.
Prices of powdered milk rose by 54 per cent this year due to a hike in its prices in countries of origin.
Import duty of powdered milk is around 37 per cent for bulk and 77 per cent for retail.
The country imported bulk milk power around 5,965 tonnes in January, 3,871 tonnes in February and 2,964 tonnes in March this year.
The customs house could avoid the destruction if the government had introduced simplified procedures of re-export or disposal of cases, the official said.
The Chittagong and Benapole customs houses have been able to speed up the case disposal procedure under the present interim government.
The Chittagong customs house has expedited the destruction procedure of the powdered milk to ease present congestion in the port.
Some containers that had remained stranded since 1994 were recently released following the government intervention, the customs official said.
The Chittagong customs house last year destroyed about 8000 tonnes of damaged goods, largely food products, from those stranded containers, he added.
Destruction is the last option for those containers stranded for long. After recommendation of a destruction committee on nature of goods the port authority takes final decision.
According to customs rule, all stuck up containers should be put on auction if concerned importer fails to release those within 30 days. But, the process often faces roadblock as concerned importer files cases in the court.