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Dhaka: The National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) Central Intelligence Cell (CIC), in collaboration with Chattogram Customs House, has uncovered eight major cases of alleged customs duty evasion involving misdeclaration of imported goods, with estimated revenue losses totalling around Tk 7.03 crore.
Investigations found that importers allegedly declared low-duty goods, including agricultural power sprayers, toothpicks, heat-transfer paper and rubber bushes, while importing high-duty or prohibited products such as cosmetics, automotive parts, PVC flex banners, nuts, bolts and bearings from China, Pakistan and Thailand.
The irregularities were detected through intelligence-led inspections of containers at Chattogram port by the CIC and the Audit, Investigation and Research (AIR) team of Chattogram Customs House, according to an NBR press release.
The authorities have finalised the process of initiating legal action against the importers and their associated clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents under Sections 33 and 171 of the Customs Act, 2023, the release said.
In one of the major cases, Fortune Global Trading of New Market in Dhaka declared 11,956 kilograms of agricultural power sprayer machines imported from China. A physical inspection, however, uncovered stage lights, face creams, sun creams, toothpaste, peeling gels, serums, LED lights, sunglasses and black hair shampoo instead of the declared machinery.
The consignment also contained around 1,817 kilograms of goods beyond the declared weight. The estimated revenue evasion in this case was Tk 2.5 crore.
In another case, Kaf Corporation of Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka declared 22.5 tonnes of toothpicks imported from China. Customs officials found only 1,620 kilograms of toothpicks, while the remaining cargo reportedly included Pakistani Gori Beauty Cream, other face creams, sun creams, anti-ageing gels, hair-removal sprays, premium sunglasses and a sexual-performance delay spray.
The consignment also contained creams prohibited by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). The estimated revenue evasion was Tk 2.8 crore.
Customs officials also detected alleged misdeclaration of automotive parts by HR Enterprise of Dhaka. The company declared 16,040 kilograms of engine rubber bushes imported from Thailand, but an inspection found only 6,625 kilograms of the declared goods. The remaining cargo included engine mountings, suspension bushes, arm bushes, centre bearings, spring shackles and steering components.
The estimated revenue loss in the case was Tk 44 lakh. The authorities also thwarted an alleged attempt by the same importer to change the Harmonised System (HS) code of another consignment without prior approval from the commissioner.
In a separate case, New Trust Traders declared 23,618 kilograms of heat-transfer paper imported from China. Physical examination found only 3,160 kilograms of paper, while the remaining cargo reportedly included around 21,467 kilograms of undeclared, high-duty PVC flex banners. The estimated revenue evasion was Tk 40 lakh.
Two other cases involved alleged misdeclaration of industrial goods by New Rony Enterprise of Bangshal and Mohammadia Trade of Wari in Dhaka.
Mohammadia Trade declared stainless steel circles and excavator gears in an import consignment. Inspectors found only around 3.8 tonnes of the declared goods, alongside 22,113 kilograms of undeclared nuts, bolts and screws. The estimated revenue evasion was Tk 32 lakh.
In another consignment, New Rony Enterprise allegedly imported 17,592 kilograms of nuts and bolts, 2,787 kilograms of heavy rolling bearings and 2,336 kilograms of gas-lift cylinders for revolving chairs through misdeclaration. The estimated revenue loss was Tk 42 lakh.
The NBR also reported an alleged attempt to remove a container belonging to Kaf Corporation by replacing its original seal and falsifying documents.
The container had been placed in the Yellow Lane category and subsequently locked in the ASYCUDA World customs system following intelligence about possible duty evasion.
According to the release, representatives of the C&F agent allegedly arranged to remove the container from the port area before a scheduled physical examination on September 19, 2026. They allegedly broke the original seal recorded in the bill of lading and replaced it with another bearing the number SGT596953.
Document verification also reportedly revealed forged signatures of transferred officials as part of the alleged attempt to remove the container. Customs officials subsequently placed it under strict security custody and seized it.
The NBR said it maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards organised revenue evasion and would take stringent legal action against those involved.
Senior officials of Chattogram Customs House and NBR intelligence officials said digital risk-management systems and intelligence-led surveillance had helped uncover the alleged irregularities. They stressed the importance of enforcing customs laws to protect government revenue and safeguard domestic industries.