Chittagong Customs House has set January 21 to auction more than 100 vehicles, including 31 high-end cars imported by former members of parliament (MPs) from the ousted Awami League government, who had benefited from duty-free privileges.
“These vehicles will be put up for auction on January 21 due to delays in having them released from the port,” Md Sakib Hossain, assistant commissioner at Chittagong Customs House, told UNB on Wednesday.
He said: “Over 900 imported cars are currently being held at various locations, including the Chittagong Port car shed, and will be auctioned because of delays in clearance. Legal complications had prevented earlier auctions, resulting in congestion at port facilities.”
Despite notices being sent to the owners to settle their dues, there has been no response, particularly from former MPs whose cars were imported under the privileged scheme.
Among the 100 vehicles to be auctioned are 31 Land Cruisers, which were imported under the MP quota over various periods.
The reserve price for these luxury cars is set at Tk9.5 crore each, representing 60% of their estimated value. With additional VAT and taxes, the expected total revenue from these 31 vehicles is estimated to be at least Tk221 crore.
Other vehicles to be auctioned include five Toyota Harriers, 13 Havals, and a range of Toyota Premio, Noah, and Rav-4, among others. The inventory for the auction has been finalized, and officials are targeting a total revenue of Tk400 crore from the sale.
Following the initiation of the auction process, the owners of 31 cars have cleared their dues by paying fines. However, no former MP has yet responded to settle their vehicles.
Md Saidul Islam, deputy commissioner of Chittagong Customs House, said: “The inventory for the auction is complete, with at least 50 car values determined. However, around 300 cars left in open sheds at the port have deteriorated due to prolonged delays.”
Yakub Chowdhury, general secretary of the Chittagong Customs Bidders Association, said that in addition to the cars, Customs House will also sell 30 cement mixer machines and 10 dump trucks that have been stored in the Chittagong Port car shed for a long time.