Chattogram Customs to operate 24/7 to speed up import clearance
Chattogram Customs Introduces Round-the-Clock Clearance Services
Bdbusinessdaily.com – Importers using Chattogram Port will now be able to have their consignments assessed and cleared at any hour of the day, including during weekly holidays and government-declared public holidays. Chattogram Customs House announced on 13 September that its assessment and clearance activities will operate continuously, seven days a week.
The measure is intended to shorten waiting times for imported cargo and support the uninterrupted movement of goods through the country’s main seaport. By keeping customs assessment available throughout the week, authorities aim to prevent holiday-related pauses from slowing the release of consignments.
Holiday operations included
The new arrangement covers Fridays and Saturdays, which are Bangladesh’s weekly holidays, as well as all public holidays declared by the government. Customs assessment staff will remain available under the 24-hour schedule, allowing import procedures to continue when normal office-based services might otherwise be limited.
For businesses awaiting imported raw materials, machinery, consumer goods or other cargo, the decision means the customs assessment stage can proceed without having to wait for the next working day. The change is designed to keep the clearance process moving whenever the necessary import documentation and procedures are in place.
Assistant Commissioner Sharif Mohammad Al Amin of Chattogram Customs House said the holiday service would reduce avoidable delays in the handling of import consignments.
“Import consignments can be cleared even on holidays, so there will be no disruption to the clearance process,” he said.
Supporting the flow of imported goods
Customs assessment is a key step in releasing imported shipments. It involves processing the information required for clearance before cargo can continue through the port-handling system. A continuous assessment service is expected to help maintain the momentum of import activity at Chattogram Port rather than allowing cases to accumulate during closures.
The initiative also focuses on the wider supply chain beyond the port area. Imported goods arriving through Chattogram are destined for businesses and consumers in different parts of Bangladesh. Any delay in clearance can affect the timing of onward transport, warehouse planning and delivery arrangements. Keeping assessment services open every day is intended to reduce the risk of such interruptions.
The announcement does not change the need for importers to meet applicable customs requirements. Instead, it extends the period in which the assessment and clearance process can be handled. Importers and their representatives can therefore pursue the release of eligible consignments during holidays as well as on regular working days.
A continuous service model
The 24/7 operating model places particular emphasis on consistency. Imports do not necessarily arrive only during standard office hours, and port operations can involve time-sensitive cargo movement. A system that continues through nights, weekends and public holidays can help align customs assessment availability with the ongoing flow of shipments through Chattogram Port.
For port users, the practical importance of the change lies in avoiding unnecessary gaps in clearance activity. If a consignment reaches the stage where it can be assessed during a holiday, the process will no longer need to pause solely because it is Friday, Saturday or a public holiday. This may help businesses plan their logistics with greater certainty when cargo schedules extend beyond the conventional workweek.
The decision is also expected to preserve the pace of import operations at Chattogram Port. As goods are released in a more continuous manner, they can move onward through distribution channels to destinations across the country. Maintaining that flow is central to the stated objective of preventing supply-chain disruption.
What the decision means for importers
Importers should see the announcement primarily as an expansion of customs service availability. Clearance-related assessment work will remain active at all times, rather than being restricted by the calendar. This can be especially relevant when cargo arrives close to a holiday period or when a shipment requires prompt release to continue its planned journey.
Businesses may still need to ensure that their paperwork, declarations and other required information are ready for processing. Round-the-clock customs assessment can help accelerate a case only when the relevant clearance process is able to move forward. The new schedule is intended to remove delays caused by service closures, not to bypass standard import procedures.
Chattogram Customs House’s decision therefore represents an operational effort to keep imported goods moving steadily. With assessment and clearance services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekly and public holidays, the port’s import process is expected to face fewer interruptions and provide a more continuous route for goods entering Bangladesh.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chattogram Customs to operate 24 7?Chattogram Customs to operate 24 7 is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does Chattogram Customs to operate 24 7 matter?Chattogram Customs to operate 24 7 matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.