Ctg Customs to auction goods from 102 abandoned containers

The Chattogram Custom House has put goods from 102 abandoned containers up for online auction as part of efforts to ease congestion at the country's busiest seaport and improve operational efficiency.

According to a press release issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on June 1, the goods will be auctioned through the e-auction programme in June.

The auction covers 44 lots comprising goods from 102 containers, including chemicals, machinery and spare parts, paper, freezers, generators, limestone, fabrics, transformers, quartz powder and household items.

The NBR said no reserve price has been set for the consignments, allowing bidders to compete freely.

The auction will be conducted entirely through a digital platform to ensure transparency and accountability.

Interested buyers will be able to inspect the goods before submitting bids online through the customs e-auction portal.

However, bid security instruments and other required documents must also be submitted physically.

The tender box for the auction will be opened at 11am on June 18.

According to sources at Chattogram Port and the NBR, around 200,000 tonnes of imported goods stored in 8,965 containers were left abandoned at Chattogram Port over the 13-year period from 2013 to 2025.

Importers tend to abandon consignments due to a fall in the prices of goods in the local market, failure to submit original shipping documents and obtain clearance permits, and refusal to pay fines imposed for irregularities, according to customs officials and importers.