The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a special directive aimed at rapidly clearing long-standing containers from Chittagong Port to ensure smooth port operations and mitigate growing safety risks. Titled the “Special Order Concerning Rapid Auction, Bilibonde and Demolition Activities at Chittagong Port, 2025,” the order was released on Wednesday (May 14).
According to the NBR, a large number of containers with goods stored between January 1 and December 31, 2013, remain uncleared at the port, severely hampering operations. The presence of outdated chemicals and hazardous materials has also raised serious safety concerns, including the risk of explosions.
To address the issue swiftly, the NBR order allows for expedited auction processes that bypass the conventional reserve pricing requirements. Under the new directive, products can be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the first round, with flexibility granted in certain cases.
For items that are unfit for auction due to quality degradation or technical constraints, the order permits direct transfer to specialized agencies for disposal or deactivation. If a product remains unsold after two auction rounds, it may be sold to the highest bidder through open publicity without holding a third auction.
Additionally, expired hazardous chemicals deemed usable by the inspection authority may be sold to trusted buyers or specialist firms offering the highest price.
The NBR expects the implementation of this order to ease container congestion, reduce safety risks, speed up cargo clearance, and lower costs for importers and exporters—ultimately contributing to improved efficiency at Chittagong Port and supporting national economic growth.
