Export-Import Activities at Chittagong Customs Disrupted Due to Server Issues
For the past four days, the customs clearance process at Chittagong Customs has been disrupted due to slow server speeds, even though the number of Bill of Entry submissions for imported goods has increased. The disruption in the clearance process has caused significant difficulties for businesses, as they are unable to clear their goods in a timely manner.
Regarding the issue, Golam Rabbani Regan, Joint Secretary General of the Chittagong Customs Agents Association, stated that the server problem has become a major obstacle for businesses. He explained that during the five working days of this week, not even the work of two days from the previous week was completed. This not only causes delays but also leads to financial losses for businesses. If goods are not cleared on time, demurrage fees must be paid to the port. He raised the question of who should bear the responsibility for these losses. Regan emphasized that this server issue is not a new or short-term problem, and despite repeatedly notifying higher authorities, no lasting solution has been implemented. He demanded a permanent resolution to the server issue.
According to sources at Chittagong Customs, Bill of Entry submissions could not be made from morning until noon yesterday due to server issues. The system’s performance improved somewhat in the afternoon. On Tuesday, around 800 Bills of Entry were submitted, but yesterday the number increased to 1,497, most of which were submitted after 5 PM.
Mushfiqur Rahman, Additional Commissioner of Chittagong Custom House, explained that after a shipping agent submits the IGM (Import General Manifest), the C&F agent files the Bill of Entry in the ASYCUDA system online. Revenue officers then verify the online information against the physical documents before completing the customs clearance process for import and export consignments. However, due to server problems, very limited work has been completed over the past three days.
It is worth mentioning that Chittagong Customs House first introduced automation in 1995 to streamline import and export trade. Initially, the ASYCUDA++ version was used, but since 2013, the ASYCUDA World system has been in place. This system allows nearly all import-export processes to be conducted online. However, frequent slowdowns and system failures have caused difficulties for importers, with tasks that should take one minute now taking five minutes to complete.
