A consignment of 9.2 tonnes of green chilli has been imported from India through Benapole land port to help stabilise prices in the domestic market.
A truck carrying the consignment entered the port's Transshipment Yard No. 31 from India around 9pm on Monday.
Port authorities said the consignment was cleared and released the same night after completion of customs and port formalities.
Shimu Enterprise imported the green chilli, while C&F agent Shimu Shipping Lines submitted the necessary documents to the customs house for clearance.
Importer Shahajan Ali said his total cost stood at around Tk 135 per kilogramme and the chillies would be sold in the market with a small profit.
He said increased imports could help bring down prices, but alleged that complications in customs clearance and other procedures are increasing costs and putting importers at risk of losses.
According to the Commerce Ministry, imports of green chilli from different Indian states began after the government granted permission.
In the first phase, 69 traders received import permits for a total of 29,710 tonnes of green chilli.
Meanwhile, green chilli was selling for around Tk 300 per kg at the Benapole wholesale market on Tuesday morning. Sellers hoped that increased imports would help lower prices.
Import documents showed the declared import value at Tk 23,875 per tonne, or around Tk 24 per kg.
Importers are also required to pay around Tk 45 per kg in duties, bringing the basic import cost to about Tk 78 per kg.
However, importers said transportation, customs, port handling and clearance costs push up the actual cost considerably.
Benapole Land Port Director Shamim Hossain said 9.2 tonnes of green chilli have arrived from India and the consignment was cleared quickly after completion of the necessary formalities.
“Several more trucks carrying green chilli are waiting on the other side of the border and may enter the port any time on Tuesday,” he said.
The government allowed green chilli imports from India to address supply shortages and rising prices in the domestic market.
