Chattogram Customs has earned Tk 599 crore 59 lakh in revenue by selling goods through online and open auctions over the five and a half years from January 2021 to June 2026. Of the total, Tk 285 crore 15 lakh was generated during the last one and a half years.
The initiative has helped clear goods that had remained in Chattogram Port yards for extended periods while also increasing government revenue.
Officials said the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken special measures to clear containers that have remained unclaimed or uncleared for a long time. Under the initiative, auctionable goods are being sold through auctions, while goods unsuitable for auction are being destroyed.
According to Chattogram Customs auction data, 24 auctions were held in 2021, with 1,814 lots sold, generating Tk 115 crore 64 lakh in revenue.
In 2022, 42 auctions resulted in the sale of 1,381 lots and revenue of Tk 130 crore 37 lakh. In 2023, 23 auctions were held, with 632 lots sold and Tk 41 crore 13 lakh collected.
In 2024, 55 auctions were conducted, selling 511 lots and generating Tk 27 crore 29 lakh. In 2025, 60 auctions resulted in the sale of 1,040 lots, generating Tk 127 crore 67 lakh.
Up to June 2026, Chattogram Customs had conducted 45 online and open auctions. A total of 383 lots were sold, generating Tk 157 crore 48 lakh in revenue.
Mohammad Morshed, manager of K M Corporation, the organisation responsible for auction management and labour contracting for Chattogram Customs, said his company has long been involved in auction management, preparing inventories of goods and handing over auctioned products in accordance with customs authorities' instructions.
He said Tk 285 crore 15 lakh was collected through auctions from 2025 to June 2026, describing it as a record level of auction revenue collected within such a short period.
Assistant Commissioner Abu Sufian of the Chattogram Customs Auction Branch said uncleared goods are being sold through online and open auctions in accordance with NBR directives.
He said the increase in the number of auctions in recent years has contributed to higher government revenue from the sale of auctioned goods.
He added that efforts are also continuing to remove goods that are unsuitable for auction in order to free up space in the port yard.
Source: BSS
