NBR issues order to expedite auction, destruction of unclear goods at Ctg Port

NBR issues order to expedite auction, destruction of unclear goods at Ctg Port

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a special order to expedite the auction, disposal, and destruction of unclear goods to ease container congestion at Chattogram Port. The order, titled "Special Order on Expedited Auction, Disposal, and Destruction Procedures at Chattogram Port 2025" was issued on Wednesday, said a press release today. The move is expected to save time, labour, and costs; prevent the misuse of state resources; mitigate security risks; protect infrastructure and public safety; and enhance the overall efficiency of the port. According to the press release, the backlog of unclear containers from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2023 has disrupted normal operations at the port. Many of these containers hold outdated chemicals and hazardous materials, posing significant safety risks, including the threat of explosions. It mentioned that the standard auction process is too slow to mitigate risks, with delays caused by legal issues, restricted goods, unresponsive bidders, and logistical challenges. The order allows most goods to be sold at the highest bid in the first auction without a reserve price, while restricted or deteriorated items can be handed over free to specialised agencies for safe disposal. If auctions fail to attract buyers, goods may be sold after wide public notification without further auctions. Additionally, expired hazardous goods can be sold to qualified users or agencies with proper certification.