Benapole Customs House, the country’s largest land port, has posted a revenue shortfall of about BDT 10.13 billion against the target in the first six months of FY 2025–26. Officials link the gap to lower imports from India, ongoing trade restrictions, and a rise in duty evasion through false declarations.

For the current fiscal year, the National Board of Revenue has set an annual revenue target of BDT 83.7 billion for Benapole, with a BDT 41.33 billion target for July–December. Yet collections amounted to only BDT 31.2 billion.

According to Assistant Commissioner Rahat Hossain, July exceeded the target with BDT 5.44 billion collected against BDT 5.08 billion. That momentum has faltered since then. August brought in BDT 4.47 billion against a BDT 4.93 billion target; September BDT 5.13 billion against BDT 6.01 billion; October BDT 4.49 billion against BDT 6.45 billion; November BDT 5.64 billion against BDT 7.55 billion; and December BDT 6 billion against a far higher BDT 11.31 billion target.

Traders say that following the political change of August 2024, syndicates have taken advantage of weaker trade security to smuggle goods and dodge tariffs. “The Benapole port has the capacity to generate about BDT 100 billion in revenue annually,” said Habibur Rahman, an importer. “But since August 2024, some dishonest traders have been smuggling goods to evade duties. Import bans on several items have further undercut revenue collection.”

Mustafizujjoha Selim, office secretary of the Benapole C&F Agent Business Association, said many firms had scaled back use of the port because legitimate facilities remain inadequate. “If the bans are lifted, goods cleared quickly, and a business-friendly environment ensured, both imports and revenue will increase,” he said.

Lengthy security checks are a major deterrent, said Azim Uddin Gazi, secretary-general of the Benapole Transport Agency Owners Association. “Businesses are discouraged from using the port due to trucks being held for long hours during searches,” he said. “Installing modern scanning machines at the entrance, like in India, would reduce harassment and boost trade.”

The combined drag from weaker imports and trade restrictions has squeezed customs revenue, said Mizanur Rahman Khan, president of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce.

Port authorities said daily imports through the port have fallen to roughly 250 trucks, from a daily average of 600 to 700. The slump has hit revenue, labour, and the transport sector. On January 10, only 256 trucks entered from India, while just 80 trucks were exported the same day, according to Director Shamin Hossain.