Freight forwarders have expressed strong opposition to a sharp hike in container handling charges, warning that the move will deal a severe blow to Bangladesh’s export sector at a time when the economy is already under pressure.
At a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Saturday, leaders of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA) alleged that charges for handling export containers have been raised by 20% to 80% without justification. They accused the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA) of imposing the “unreasonable” hike.
BAFFA Chairman Abrarur Alam, who presided over the event, said the new charges are scheduled to take effect from September 1. He demanded their immediate withdrawal, stressing that the solution lies in efficiency and service improvements, not in raising costs.
“The problems can be addressed by reducing cargo unloading time, using modern equipment, resolving worker shortages, and ensuring transparent depot management—not by burdening exporters with higher charges,” Alam said.
Other speakers included Adnan Mohammad Iqbal, Abul Hasan Shamsul Haque, Mahfuz Raihan, and Anwar Hossain Milon.
According to the revised tariff, the charge for a 20-foot export container has been increased from Tk 6,187 to Tk 9,900. A 40-foot container will now cost Tk 13,200, up from Tk 8,250, while charges for a 45-foot high-cube container have jumped to Tk 14,900 from Tk 8,250. Costs for related services—such as empty container handling, lift-on/lift-off, documentation, and ground rent—are also set to rise.
BAFFA leaders cautioned that the increases could severely disrupt the export supply chain. “Despite the government’s push to expand exports, this decision will raise production costs, weaken Bangladesh’s competitiveness, and risk driving away international buyers,” they warned.
They added that small and medium-sized exporters would struggle the most, potentially leading to closures and reduced foreign exchange earnings for the country.
The association also pointed out that the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has already written to the Chittagong Port Authority opposing the hike, while many other exporters have voiced similar concerns.