Manual clearance of imports ordered

Customs houses are directed to release imported perishables, industrial raw materials and food items through manual assessment as internet blackout disrupts digital operations.
Officials said the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued the instructions to meet exigencies stemming from recent disruptive acts in the backdrop of students' quota protests culminated into 'complete shutdown'.
"Until the internet services resume, the customs would release the goods in the manual process," says a senior NBR official.
Usually, all customs assessment and duty payments are currently conducted through Asycuda world system which is not operable without internet connection.
The decision has been taken in consideration of manufacturing industries' demand prompted by their urgency to meet international buyers' orders as well as keep uninterrupted supply of food items, the official said.
Meanwhile, requests came at business leaders' meet Monday with the prime minister for manual customs clearance of trade and limited internet-service resumption as well as reopening factories.
Industries and offices stayed shut as Bangladesh remains curfew-bound following massive job-quota protests later coupled with rampage.

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