Stone import via ports in Sylhet resumes after 23 days

The import of stone through the land ports in Sylhet divisions which remained suspended since January 7 protesting hike in customs duty resumed on Wednesday.

Md Atik Hossain, president of Sylhet District Stone Importer Group, said the importers halted import of stone from India on January 7 protesting the hike in duty on import of limestone and stone.

A meeting was held with the leaders of the importers’ association led by Enamul Haque, commissioner of Customs Excise and VAT Sylhet Commissionerate, on Tuesday where the importers decided to resume import of stone from Wednesday after a fruitful discussion to reduce duty, he said.

However, the import of stone through the Sutarkandi land port in Beanibazar upazila will resume from Thursday.

The Sylhet Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, following directives from the NBR, issued a letter on January 4, confirming the hike in customs duty on import of boulders, stone chips, and limestone from India. The new tariffs have been in effect since January 8 affecting all land ports and customs stations in the Sylhet region, including Tamabil.