A software malfunction of Bangladesh’s customs authority has halved export-import activities in Chittagong Port during the last five days after the National Board of Revenue (NBR) updated its online system at the weekend.
Most of the customs officials, shipping agents, C&F agents, and people involved in the export-import trade have been failing to enter the online system, submit data, bill of lading, and export and import general manifesto.
These have severely disrupted export/import-related activities in the port city of Chittagong.
The National Board of Revenue, the parent organization of the Chittagong Customs House, upgraded its Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World System on Friday (20 September) nightu until Saturday (21 September) midnight.
However, since then, most of the users have been failing to enter into the system or work properly.
The ASYCUDA system is customs house’s online software through which it gives approval for all kinds export-import related documents on day-to-day basis. Without approval through the online system, no export or import trade can be done. No containers can go out or come into Bangladesh without submitting proper information into the ASYCUDA system.
Officials say that due to the software glitch, submission of daily import bills have gone down to some 800 or less from a usual 2,000 per day.
“Usually we need 24 hours at best for these tasks. But now we are unable to complete them even in 72 hours,” noted an official of a Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) agent. He added that the pages in the online system are not opening, ship position is not visible, and there are several additional issues.
“Unless the customs related work is completed the shipping agents are unable to provide delivery order thus containers can’t be delivered. As containers are not delivered from the port, the importers are counting demurrage charges,” said another official of a C&F agent.
Golam Rabbani (Reagan), joint general secretary of Chittagong Customs Agents Association, mentioned that the software problem has turned into a big headache for importers and exporters of the country. In the last five days the customs agents could not complete works they usually finalize in two days. “In addition to these sufferings the businesses are also incurring financial losses. There will be port demurrage charges if the cargoes could not be taken delivery in time,” he pointed out.
He said this software problem is a long pending issue. “We have repeatedly informed the higher authorities but they did not pay heed on it except giving assurance only. We want a permanent solution of the problem,” stated Reagan.
According to Khairul Alam Suzan, vice president of Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA), export-import trade is being hampered whenever the revenue board upgrades the ASYCUDA World System. “But this time the disruption is lasting long, heavily disrupting the export-import related activities,” he underlined.
Due to this problem, the shipping companies are failing to submit import and export general manifest, while the C&F agents are failing to get clearance by paying duties, he said.
Data shows that on a usual day some 5,000 TEUs are being delivered from the Chittagong port. However, during the last couple of days the Bangladeshi port has handled 2,500 – 4,000 TEUs.
Sharar Nayel
Asia Correspondent
