The government has instructed Dhaka Customs House to release all imported goods within 24 hours at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) to mitigate the severe disruptions caused by the recent fire at the airport’s cargo village.

At an emergency meeting held on Wednesday night, officials directed customs and related agencies to operate around the clock to expedite the clearance of pending consignments. Any goods that cannot be released immediately will be moved to a nearby temporary warehouse, sources said.

The meeting, chaired by Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser SK Bashir Uddin at Biman House in the capital, also urged apparel manufacturers and exporters to take direct responsibility for clearing their shipments.

The decision comes as the logistics sector reels from what officials described as one of the most damaging disruptions in years, with preliminary loss estimates of up to US$1 billion.

Customs officials said imports at HSIA typically take up to 72 hours to clear under the existing “port charge-free” system. Importers are required to submit bills of entry within 21 days of cargo unloading, with a possible 10-day extension. Delays beyond that period can trigger auctions and penalties.

A senior customs official said the 24-hour target could be met if all parties cooperate, though some procedures — such as receiving airway bills and BSTI certification — may still take time.

Two investigation committees are now probing the cause of the fire, and reconstruction work at the damaged cargo village will remain suspended until the findings are complete.

As part of a contingency plan, a temporary warehouse will be built near the Dhaka Customs House. The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) will help install a cooling system, while the BGMEA will oversee site security. The BKMEA has sought two 40-foot containers to store unreleased documents and courier items.