The customs authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have initiated a week-long special operation to curb duty evasion by passengers attempting to smuggle goods without proper customs clearance.
The crackdown has already led to the seizure of mobile phone LCD screens worth over Tk14 lakh in the past two days.
Joint Commissioner of Airport Customs, Alamin Hossain, confirmed the operation on Friday, saying that the initiative was launched in response to a rising trend of passengers bypassing customs regulations.
"Certain passengers are bringing in goods exceeding the baggage allowance and attempting to take them out of the airport without proper customs clearance," he said. "In light of this, we launched a crash program on Wednesday to address the issue."
Hossain emphasized that passengers must follow luggage rules and pay customs duties on any additional goods. "No items will be allowed to exit the airport without paying the required duties," he added.
He further said that dutiable items are being brought in by some passengers who try to smuggle them out without paying taxes. "We are discouraging passengers from this behavior," Hossain noted.
According to a customs source, in addition to the mobile phone LCD screens, other goods have also been seized in recent days. In some cases, duties were collected before the goods were released. The operation is expected to continue throughout the week.