STAFF CORRESPONDENT, Ctg

The Customs House, Chattogram has put 102 containers of abandoned goods up for online auction as part of efforts to reduce congestion at the country’s busiest seaport and improve operational efficiency.

According to a press release issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Monday, the goods will be auctioned through the e-Auction programme this month. The auction comprises 44 lots containing 102 containers of various products, including chemicals, machinery and spare parts, paper, freezers, generators, limestone, fabrics, transformers, quartz powder and household items.

The NBR said no reserve price has been set for the consignments, allowing bidders to compete freely.

The auction will be conducted entirely through a digital platform to ensure transparency and accountability. Interested buyers will be able to inspect the goods before submitting bids online through the customs e-Auction portal. However, bid security instruments and other required documents must be submitted physically.

The tender box for the auction will be opened at 11:00am on June 18.

According to data from the Chittagong Port Authority and the NBR, around 200,000 tonnes of imported goods stored in 8,965 containers were left abandoned at Chattogram Port between 2013 and 2025.

Importers abandon consignments for a variety of reasons, including declines in domestic prices, failure to submit original documents and obtain the required clearance permits, and unwillingness to pay fines arising from discrepancies or irregularities in import documentation.