Chattogram Bureau
Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) officials have seized a massive consignment of 10 containers of unprocessed raw tobacco imported from Bangladesh’s trade partners in Pakistan at Chattogram Port, following allegations of false declaration and severe undervaluation.

Each of the seized 10 containers has a capacity of 20 metric tonnes, bringing the total weight of the impounded shipment to 200 metric tonnes, according to a press release issued by the customs authorities on Thursday (October 29)

Customs officials revealed that the raw material, imported under bonded warehouse privileges, could have been used to manufacture approximately 21.43 crore premium-quality cigarette sticks with an estimated retail market value of Tk 493.86 crore.

The shipment was imported by a firm named Global Leaf Tobacco Company Limited.

Upon scrutinizing the import documentation, investigators detected a severe discrepancy in the declared price. While the standard customs valuation for unprocessed tobacco under the respective HS Code stands at $5.10 per kilogramme, the importer declared a price of only $1.45 per kg.

Through this false declaration, the importer attempted to evade approximately Tk 21.12 crore in import duties and taxes alone.

"If the proper utilization and production process of tobacco imported under duty-free bonded facilities are not fully monitored, significant revenue loss risks emerge at every stage—from import to retail marketing," a CIID official stated.

The authorities confirmed that a comprehensive investigation into the entire consignment is underway, and legal proceedings against the responsible entities are currently in process.

The massive import of raw tobacco has also raised concerns among industry analysts, given that Bangladesh produces a sufficient supply of domestic tobacco to meet local manufacturing demands.

Analysts emphasized that under-invoicing imported goods and failing to properly supervise bonded warehouse benefits severely heighten revenue deficit risks. They urged government regulatory bodies to ensure strict oversight over the import, usage, and distribution of tobacco under bonded facilities, alongside reviewing actual domestic production and market demand.