Freight forwarders set to go for charge hike
Monday, 19 April 2010
FE Report
The freight forwarders Sunday said that they would start realising increased charges from May 1 on each bill of lading (B/L) as the government has failed to resolve the issue of increasing freights.
The forwarders want to fix the charges at Tk 2,500 against Tk 1,500 for issuing no objection certificate (NOC) on the imported items.
On the other hand, importers, especially the apparel makers, want to keep the charges unchanged due mainly to the fallout of the global economic meltdown on their sector.
Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA) Sunday also issued a letter to the ministry of shipping stating its fresh decision.
"In our letter to the Shipping Ministry, we've given an ultimatum until April 30 to resolve the issue, otherwise we will start realising Tk 2,500 as charges for NOC on each B/L," Syed Badrul Hoque, BAFFA vice president told the FE Sunday.
"Our back is now pitted against the wall. So this is our final decision as the government has failed to resolve the issue," he added.
Earlier, National Board of Revenue (NBR) pro posed Tk 1800, up by Tk 300, as bill of lading charges for the freight forwarders.
The forwarders have rejected this proposal and the BGMEA leaders, who were present at the NBR meeting, also refused this proposal saying this rise will affect their sector.
Bangladesh has around 800 fright forwarders and they arrange shipments for individuals or other companies.
The freight forwarders' trade involves around 0.5 million containers and their business size is worth more than Tk 1.0 billion a year.
The freight forwarders Sunday said that they would start realising increased charges from May 1 on each bill of lading (B/L) as the government has failed to resolve the issue of increasing freights.
The forwarders want to fix the charges at Tk 2,500 against Tk 1,500 for issuing no objection certificate (NOC) on the imported items.
On the other hand, importers, especially the apparel makers, want to keep the charges unchanged due mainly to the fallout of the global economic meltdown on their sector.
Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA) Sunday also issued a letter to the ministry of shipping stating its fresh decision.
"In our letter to the Shipping Ministry, we've given an ultimatum until April 30 to resolve the issue, otherwise we will start realising Tk 2,500 as charges for NOC on each B/L," Syed Badrul Hoque, BAFFA vice president told the FE Sunday.
"Our back is now pitted against the wall. So this is our final decision as the government has failed to resolve the issue," he added.
Earlier, National Board of Revenue (NBR) pro posed Tk 1800, up by Tk 300, as bill of lading charges for the freight forwarders.
The forwarders have rejected this proposal and the BGMEA leaders, who were present at the NBR meeting, also refused this proposal saying this rise will affect their sector.
Bangladesh has around 800 fright forwarders and they arrange shipments for individuals or other companies.
The freight forwarders' trade involves around 0.5 million containers and their business size is worth more than Tk 1.0 billion a year.