Customs intel men allegedly harass Pangaon ICT users

Users of the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT) are allegedly being harassed by the customs intelligence officials in the name of physical re-checking of goods which is identified as one of the reasons behind the terminal remaining not fully functional, sources said.
The importers need eight to ten days to get release order of goods-laden trucks or covered vans from the Customs intelligence officials, causing importers to pay heavy demurrage as additional rental fee, they added.
The inordinate delay and financial loss are discouraging the importers to use the terminal though it is located very close to Dhaka city, they noted.
A recent meeting at the ministry of shipping (MoS) on operation of Pangaon ICT decided to seek intervention of high-ups of the national board of revenue (NBR) to resolve the problem.
Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate Moinul Khan, however, said his office cannot let Pangaon ICT to turn into a haven of tax evasion in the name of making the port fully functional.
Sources said manager of Pangaon ICT Ahmedul Karim Chowdhury in the meeting said he has received allegations from a number of importers regarding 'unnecessary harassment' by Customs intelligence officials.
He said the Customs intelligence officials remain present during delivery or checking of imported goods but after loading those to trucks and covered vans, they keep the vehicles stranded at the gate of the ICT in the name of rechecking.
Without completing re-checking of the goods on the following day, the vehicles are kept there for several days even up to ten days before providing release certificate.
For each day of delay, the importers have to pay Tk 8,000 to Tk 10,000 per vehicle. This raises import cost of goods.
"As a result, importers feel discouraged to use the terminal," he said.
Sources said in the meeting, the representative of Bangladesh Customs was asked to explain the reason behind such 'unnecessary harassment'.
He said the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate is a separate entity under the NBR on which the Customs authority has no control.
Contacted over phone, Mr Khan told the FE his officials have unearthed several cases of tax evasion in Pangaon ICT by some unscrupulous businessmen in connivance with others working in the terminal.
He said making the terminal fully operational is necessary but side by side, "we have to take steps so that none can take the chance of evading tax".
Mr Khan said, "We have to also keep an eye so that national security is not compromised through imported consignments."
He said the officials have been asked for facilitating import through Pangaon ICT by ensuring quick checking of consignments.
If anyone feels that he is being harassed, he can lodge complaints with the head office of the directorate seeking justice, he said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the terminal in November 2013.
The inland container terminal was built aiming at transportation of containers and cargos to and from Chittagong to the capital through river route to reduce pressure on Dhaka-Chittagong highway.
However, due to various complications, the traders are yet to show enthusiasm in using the terminal.
The capacity of the terminal remains largely unused until now.
    syful-islam@outlook.com