Chattogram:A shipment declared as printing machinery at Chattogram Port was discovered to contain counterfeit cigarette stamps valued at Tk 40.8 lakh, alongside a large quantity of cosmetics.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the discovery was made during a joint inspection by the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) and the Audit, Investigation and Research (AIR) branch of Chattogram Custom House. The potential revenue risk from this seizure is estimated at approximately Tk 46 crore.
The NBR revealed that the shipment was imported by "China Mart," based in Jamuna Future Park, Dhaka, and arrived at the port on August 9, 2026. A physical examination conducted on November 5 showed discrepancies between the shipment's contents and its declared items.
Customs sources indicated that the counterfeit stamps were intended for packs of 20 low-tier cigarettes, which have a fixed retail price of Tk 130, with the government collecting Tk 106.60 in revenue per pack. The illegal use of these stamps could have resulted in a revenue loss of about Tk 43.5 crore for the government. The cosmetics in the shipment also represent potential duty and tax evasion of approximately Tk 2.5 crore.
Md. Tareq Mahmud, Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Customs House, stated that the physical inspection was concluded last Thursday, with a final report being prepared to detail the extent of the evasion and the individuals involved. The NBR emphasized its ongoing efforts to combat false declarations, duty evasion, and illicit trade through intelligence-based surveillance and risk assessment, with legal proceedings against those involved currently underway.