Revenue collection at Chattogram Customs House rose by 12 percent year-on-year over the first nine months of the current fiscal year, buoyed by the easing of import restrictions and a rise in imports of essential goods ahead of Ramadan.

The customs house, the largest revenue-generating unit in the country, collected Tk 55,346 crore between July and March, up from Tk 49,553 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year, according to data from the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Despite this growth, Chattogram Customs fell short of its revenue target by 12 percent. Officials attributed the shortfall to reduced imports in certain sectors and government-mandated duty exemptions.

In terms of import volume, 8.37 crore tonnes of goods worth Tk 6.06 lakh crore entered through Chattogram Port during the nine-month period, compared to 8.07 crore tonnes worth Tk 5.11 lakh crore a year earlier.

While around 4,500 types of goods are imported via the port, 30 items—including diesel, cement clinker, furnace oil, palm oil, crude petroleum, steel products, powdered milk, and sugar—generate nearly 45 percent of total customs revenue.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sydul Islam noted that increased imports of food items during Ramadan contributed positively to revenue performance. He also highlighted improvements in monitoring, auction procedures, and surveillance against irregularities.

Islam expressed optimism that the revenue target could still be achieved if current trends continue, with plans underway to intensify scrutiny of known tax-dodging importers and their agents.