CHATTOGRAM, Nov 26: Bhutan's maiden transit shipment through Chittagong Port has finally been released today (Wednesday), two months after it arrived by sea but got stuck in paperwork.
In a landmark development for sub-regional trade, Bangladesh has completed customs formalities for Bhutan's first-ever commercial transit shipment through Chittagong Port, generating immediate revenue of Tk79,478 from a single 6.5-tonne trial container, sources concerned said.
The shipment was scheduled to be released on Tuesday, but due to procedural delay, it has been released today (Wednesday).
Secretary of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Omar Faruk said, "Bhutan's transit shipment through Chittagong port has been completed today (Wednesday) from the port. The 20-ft container arrived on the Bangladeshi-flagged vessel HR Hera on 22 September but remained in the port for over two months while both governments finalised procedures."
He added, "Under normal circumstances, this would have incurred demurrage and store-rent penalties running into several lakh taka. But the government explicitly waived all such charges to ensure the success of this flagship shipment."
He said, "Penalties have been fully exempted on government orders. Only standard port handling and equipment charges will apply."
The modest but symbolically important consignment contained everyday consumer items such as mineral water, iced tea, dried palm fruit, jelly, chocolate, shampoo, and orange juice.
This is the first consignment moved under the Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit and its protocol, signed on 22 March 2023.
Bhutan, a landlocked country without a seaport, relies on third-country routes for its imports. If the trial run proves satisfactory, it could pave the way for regular shipments through Bangladesh, though the decision rests entirely with Bhutan.
Sources said Bangladesh has generated revenue of Tk 79,478 from Bhutan's pioneering transit consignment, with Chittagong Customs House (CCH) collecting the amount across several heads.
These include Tk 2,087 in direct customs documentation and processing fees that flow straight to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), plus a further Tk17,061 in assorted customs and port-related charges covering transshipment, security, scanning, and administrative costs.
Besides, Tk2,190 has been levied for road and bridge tolls together with 15 per cent VAT, incorporating charges for crossing the Meghna, Meghna-Gumti, Jamuna, and Teesta bridges. By far the largest component is the transit escort fee of Tk58,140, calculated at Tk 85 per KM for the full 684-kilometre escorted journey from Chittagong Port to Burimari Land Port.
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