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Nearly two months after arriving at Chattogram Port, the fourth transit consignment for Bhutan has finally been discharged. On Wednesday night, Bangladesh’s representative appointed for unloading Bhutanese goods completed the discharge. The consignment is now en route by road to the Burimari land port, from where it will be transported to Bhutan via Indian territory.
This trial shipment is being transported under the Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit and its protocol signed between Bangladesh and Bhutan. The agreement was signed on March 22, 2023. As Bhutan is a landlocked country without any seaport, this initiative aims to facilitate transport through Bangladesh. Prior to this, three trial consignments for India were handled through Chattogram Port. In total, this is the fourth transit consignment discharged at the port since 2020.
The Bhutan-bound consignment originated from Thailand. The 6,530-kg shipment includes shampoo, dried palm fruit, iced tea, chocolates, and juice. The exporter is Thailand-based Abit Trading Company, and the importer is Bhutan’s Abit Trading. Although the shipment arrived nearly two months ago, it could not be discharged earlier due to a delay in obtaining necessary approvals from various government agencies. After all permissions were received, the cargo was finally unloaded on Wednesday.
Shahidul Alam Khan, Managing Director of NM Trading Corporation, Bangladesh’s representative assigned for the unloading, told Prothom Alo that the container left for the Burimari land port on Wednesday evening on a prime mover trailer. From Burimari, it will be transported to Bhutan using Indian territory.
If Bhutan is satisfied with the trial transport through Bangladesh, regular cargo movement may begin. However, that depends on Bhutan’s interest.
Revenue Earned: Over One Lakh Taka
Officials involved in the process reported that three government agencies collected fees and charges from the Bhutanese consignment.
- Customs earned Tk 68,874, including VAT and other tariffs.
- The Roads and Highways Department collected Tk 16,792.
A total of Tk 85,666 went into the government treasury.
Apart from this, the Chattogram Port Authority collected Tk 16,047 in charges for various port services such as unloading from the ship and transferring to the yard.
In total, the three government entities earned Tk 101,713 from this single transit consignment.
A container under transit can be stored at the port free of charge for 21 days; after that, storage fees apply. Although this consignment stayed for more than two months, the extra charges were waived.
Private Sector Income
The private sector also earned revenue from transportation and handling services, though exact figures are unknown.
However, since the container remained at the port for an extended period, the shipping line must pay a detention fee. If the container had been released within 21 days, no fee would be charged. As the time exceeded the limit, a fee of USD 3,780 is now payable.
Sahadul Islam, Managing Director of TI2 Shipping Line, said that usually no detention fee is charged if the cargo is released within 14 days, but for transit goods, the fee is applicable after 21 days.
Previous Transit Revenue
Before Bhutan, three Indian transit consignments were transported through Chattogram Port.
- The first Indian transit consignment (four containers) in July 2020 generated Tk 58,900 in revenue.
- Two more trial consignments were handled in 2022.
- Two consignments were also transported via Mongla Port.
After five trial consignments, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a permanent order in April 2023 allowing regular transit. However, regular transit from India has not yet begun.
Transit fees depend on the number of containers and cargo volume. Customs, highways, and port authorities collect charges based on these criteria.
CPD Honorary Fellow Mustafizur Rahman told Prothom Alo that if Bhutan begins regular transit use through Bangladesh, both Bhutanese importers/consumers and Bangladesh’s public–private sector will benefit. He emphasized the need to ensure no obstacles arise in Bhutan’s transit operations.
