The government is considering halting yarn imports through land ports to support the domestic textile and spinning industry, said Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman.

The move follows demands from local textile millers, who raised concerns over large-scale smuggling of yarn through land ports. They reiterated their request in a meeting with commerce ministry officials. Rahman stated that a final decision might be made within a week, but yarn imports via seaports would continue.

While the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) pressed for the restriction, garment manufacturers and exporters urged the government to allow imports through land ports to maintain supply.

Currently, yarn can be imported from India through four land ports—Benapole, Sonamasjid, Bhomra, and Banglabandha—as well as seaports. Land port imports were permitted in January 2023 to address a post-pandemic surge in demand.

BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell argued that seaport imports are more efficient, taking only two weeks. He alleged that land ports, lacking proper testing facilities, enable importers to misdeclare quantities. Some reportedly open letters of credit (LCs) for two tonnes but bring in more than ten.

Russell further claimed that Indian yarn dumping has left local mills with unsold stock worth Tk 100 billion. The government’s decision could significantly impact both textile millers and garment exporters, who rely on steady yarn supplies.