A software malfunction within Bangladesh's customs authority has drastically reduced export-import activities at Chittagong Port over the past five days. The issue arose after the National Board of Revenue (NBR) updated its online system over the weekend. Many customs officials, shipping agents, C&F agents, and other trade professionals have been unable to access the online system, submit crucial data, or process bills of lading and general manifests for exports and imports. This has led to significant disruptions in trade-related operations in the port city of Chittagong.

The NBR, the governing body for Chittagong Customs House, upgraded its Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World System on Friday, September 20th, and Saturday, September 21st. However, since the upgrade, a majority of users have encountered difficulties logging in and operating the system effectively.

The ASYCUDA system is the customs house's essential online software, responsible for approving all export and import documentation on a daily basis. Without online approval, no trade can proceed, and containers cannot enter or leave Bangladesh without the proper information being submitted through the ASYCUDA system.

Officials report that due to the software glitch, the submission of daily import bills has plummeted to approximately 800 or fewer, down from the 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,' stated one official.