Dhaka: Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has seized a consignment of prohibited and restricted imported goods worth around Tk one crore at the Air Freight area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) for allegedly making false declarations. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team from the CIID headquarters and its Air Freight Circle conducted the operation today at the yard adjacent to Delivery Gate No. 8 of the airport's Air Freight area.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, customs officials revealed that the consignment contained 101 cartons of goods, including 450 used HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Microsoft laptops, 963.8 kilograms of used automobile parts, 96 pieces of 6TB hard disk drives (HDDs), 291.14 kilograms of cosmetics, and 96 used mini PCs. Preliminary information indicated that the consignment was imported from the United Arab Emirates by Sardar Global Trade under Air Waybill No. 176-63518722.
The importer, through its nominated CandF agent, Fahim 5 Star Ltd., submitted Bill of Entry No. C-764177 dated July 29, 2026, in the ASYCUDA World System, declaring the goods as motor parts, cosmetics, mini PCs, tablets, projectors, and computer parts, according to an NBR press release. However, customs intelligence had prior information about the consignment and detained it for physical examination.
During the inspection, officials discovered that used and prohibited goods had been imported under the guise of newly declared products, constituting misdeclaration and violations of the country's import regulations. Customs officials highlighted that the imported cosmetics also failed to meet the required import conditions and could pose risks to public health.
They added that the import of used electronic products is prohibited as such items may be fraudulently marketed as new, deceiving consumers while also posing environmental risks. Officials further mentioned that an investigation would be carried out to determine whether the imported automobile parts were intended to assemble a vehicle, with the possibility that the chassis might have been imported separately.
As the seized goods fall under prohibited and restricted import categories, they are not eligible for customs clearance even upon payment of duties and taxes. The CIID stated that legal action would be taken under the Customs Act after determining the liabilities of the importer and the concerned CandF agent.