The nationwide pen-down strike by customs officials demanding the repeal of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Ordinance has severely disrupted operations at Chattogram Port and 24 customs stations, leaving nearly 5 lakh tonnes of goods stranded offshore.
Since May 15, customs officials have stopped work from 9 am to 3 pm each day in protest, later extending the stoppage until 5 pm.
This has stalled cargo clearance, leading to a backlog of 17 container vessels at the port's outer anchorage, according to port data.
Under customs regulations, no consignment can be cleared without assessment and examination, effectively halting clearance at value-added tax (VAT) offices, Export Processing Zone (EPZ) customs, and the customs bond commissionerate.