Businesses suffer from C&F agents’ 7-hour strike

Import and export activities at customs offices across Bangladesh, including Chattogram port, were suspended for about seven hours yesterday after observing a strike between 9am and 4pm.

C&F agents gathered at the main customs gate of Chattogram Port to demand amendments to the laws related to licensing and the HS (Harmonized System) Code, as in the rest of the country.

In addition, they asked the authorities not to hold C&F agents liable for the importer’s negligence.

C&F agents eventually called off the strike after Abu Hena Mod Ramatul Muneem, chairman of the National Board of Revenue, welcomed them to meet to discuss these issues on February 7.

Importers and exporters were hit hard as shipments were delayed until full port activity resumed after 4pm.

Officials at Chattogram port said the strike may have halted the movement of goods in and out, but ship loading and unloading and other activities remained normal.

Still, importers and exporters were hit hard as shipments were delayed until full port activity resumed after 4pm.

The Chattogram port typically handles an average of 5-7,000 import consignments and an equal number of export consignments each day.

Mominul Haque, managing director of Shahi Telecom, said the company has to rely on C&F agents to clear the goods from domestic customs.

“But they stop unloading goods at different times to meet demand, and as a result many traders are taken hostage,” he added.

Haque said he had to calculate a higher demurrage charge to keep the goods in port because the shipment could not be assessed during yesterday’s strike.

Kazi Imam Hossain Bilu, general secretary of Chattogram’s C&F Agents Association, said the strike was called off after the NBR and customs authorities ensured they would consider the request.

“If they don’t amend those rules, we’re going to have tougher moves,” he added.

Custom House Chattogram Commissioner Mohammad Fyzur Rahman said the NBR had already set February 7 to hold a meeting with C&F agents a few days earlier.

“So I don’t see why they would go on strike before the meeting,” he added.

Customs sources said C&F license holders are allowed to operate for a specified period of time after passing a written exam to qualify. Customs Broker Licensing Regulations-2020 included requirements for successors to the license to pass exams and become certified C&F agents.

However, the C&F Agent has requested that ownership of the license can be transferred to successors without examination.