Customs Seizes Undeclared Laptops and Tablets at Dhaka Airport
Customs intelligence has intercepted two shipments of laptops and tablets at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport over false declarations and undervaluation. The imported goods, handled by Sardar Global Trade and Fahim 5 Star Limited, are valued at nearly 21 million taka.
The Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation has intercepted a massive consignment of laptops, tablets, and iPads at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. According to the official disclosures, the international trade operation involved deliberate attempts to bypass proper customs procedures through false declarations and significant undervaluation of the imported electronic items.
The imports were officially brought in by the importing company Sardar Global Trade, while the clearing and forwarding formalities were handled by the C&F agent Fahim 5 Star Limited. Investigation records show that the importer had declared a total value of only 5,500 US dollars for the entire shipments, attempting to evade applicable duties and taxes through this drastically low price declaration.
However, upon detailed assessment by customs authorities, the actual evaluated value of the shipments was determined to be a staggering 167,786 US dollars. In local currency, this evaluated amount stands at approximately 2 crore 7 lakh 21 thousand 570 Bangladeshi taka, highlighting a massive discrepancy between the declared value and the true market worth of the electronics.
The operation unfolded across two separate shipments that were subjected to intense scrutiny by the intelligence directorate. The customs authorities initially suspended the clearance process for the first shipment on August 13, and subsequently conducted a comprehensive physical examination of the goods on August 23 to verify their exact contents and condition.
The physical examination of the cargo revealed extensive quantities of high-demand electronic devices across both consignments. The first shipment alone contained 740 laptops alongside 60 tablets and iPads, and its evaluated value was set at 103,527 US dollars, translating to 1 crore 27 lakh 85 thousand 584 Bangladeshi taka.
Meanwhile, the second intercepted consignment contained 427 laptops, 35 tablets, and 5 iPads, with an evaluated value of 64,259 US dollars, amounting to 79 lakh 35 thousand 986 Bangladeshi taka. In total, the two intercepted consignments yielded 1,167 laptops and 100 tablets and iPads.
Crucially, the physical examination also revealed that a significant number of the seized laptops appeared to be used devices. Under the prevailing import policy order of the country, the importation of used electronic items of this nature is strictly prohibited, adding further legal complications for the involved importing and forwarding entities.
