BusinessToday24 Correspondent, Chattogram: Private inland container depots (off-docks) in Chattogram, which play a crucial role in Bangladesh’s import-export trade, are set to increase their service charges. The decision has sparked strong resentment among exporters, especially in the ready-made garments sector.
The Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) announced through a circular last week that the revised rates will come into effect on September 1, 2025. The new structure increases various charges related to export cargo handling by 30 to 60 percent. Several service recipient companies have described the move as “unilateral and unexpected,” alleging that it violates the Private ICD Regulation 2016.
Exporters claim that BICDA made this decision without any consultation or prior notice. The move has also triggered intense reaction among Main Line Operator (MLO) agents, many of whom are now struggling to explain the rationale behind the increase to their principals.
According to the principals, any change in tariffs must comply with Sections 11.1 and 11.2 of the 2016 Private ICD Regulation, which mandates that a Tariff Committee formed by the Ministry of Shipping must determine the rates. This committee should include representatives from the National Board of Revenue, the port authority, ICD/CFS operators, and service users. BICDA’s latest circular, they argue, bypasses this legally prescribed process.
A director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) told BusinessToday24, “This unilateral increase is alarming for the export sector. The apparel industry is already under pressure from global competition, economic volatility, and a foreign currency crunch. In this context, arbitrary service charge hikes are unacceptable.”
Details from the circular reveal that from September, the packaging charge for a 20-foot export container will be set at BDT 9,900, and BDT 13,200 for a 40-foot container. The ground rent will be BDT 250 for 20-foot and BDT 300 for 40-foot containers. The landing charge has been fixed at BDT 270 per ton. Additional charges such as labor fees, documentation, and staff service charges are also being revised upward.
BICDA has explained that the decision stems from a sharp rise in operational costs due to increased labor wages, equipment acquisition and maintenance, currency depreciation, and higher bank interest rates. The revised rates, it says, are necessary to sustain operations and support newly established ICDs.
However, stakeholders argue that while cost adjustments may be necessary to keep services running, they must be implemented through proper consultation and regulatory procedures. Without this, increased export handling costs could have negative implications for the country’s foreign trade.
At present, there are 19 private off-docks in Chattogram with a combined capacity of approximately 78,000 TEUs. These facilities handle 93 percent of the country’s export cargo and 20 percent of its import cargo.
