Chattogram:Customs intelligence officials have thwarted a significant attempt to evade approximately Tk 46 crore in government revenue. This was accomplished by uncovering a consignment containing cosmetics and over 40 lakh fake cigarette tax stamps, which were imported under the guise of printing machines at Chattogram Port.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) Central Intelligence Cell (CIC), alongside the Audit, Investigation and Research (AIR) branch of Chattogram Customs House, discovered the irregularities during a detailed examination on November 5. The consignment, imported by China Mart located at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka, had initially arrived at Chattogram Port on August 9, 2026, with printing machines declared as the imported goods.
Further investigation revealed that instead of printing machines, the consignment contained a large amount of cosmetics and 40.80 lakh fake cigarette tax stamps. An NBR press release noted that these counterfeit stamps were intended for packets of 20 low-segment cigarettes, where the government would typically earn Tk 106.60 in revenue per packet retailed at Tk 130.
The potential revenue loss from using counterfeit stamps for illegal cigarette production and marketing was estimated at Tk 43.50 crore. Additionally, the revenue evasion from the undeclared cosmetics was initially estimated at around Tk 2.50 crore, bringing the total potential revenue loss to approximately Tk 46 crore.
The NBR highlighted that the use of counterfeit cigarette stamps not only affects government tax revenue but also creates unfair competition for legitimate tobacco businesses. The agency emphasized its commitment to preventing such irregularities in trade and announced ongoing legal proceedings against those involved in this incident.