Bangladesh has launched the first trial run of Bhutan’s transit cargo through Chattogram port under a bilateral transit agreement signed in 2023. A 20-foot container imported from Thailand by Bhutanese firm Abit Trading was cleared on 26th Nov and is expected to reach Burimari land port today.
The shipment—carrying 6,572 kg of consumer goods including beverages, toiletries, and dried fruits—will travel from Burimari to Bhutan via Indian territory. This marks the beginning of two planned trial runs agreed upon during a Bangladesh–Bhutan trade meeting in 2024.
The consignment arrived in Chattogram on September 22 but clearance was delayed due to required approvals. The National Board of Revenue issued the final instructions for customs processing on November 17.
From this trial shipment, three government agencies earned a total of Tk 1,01,713 in fees, road tolls, and port charges. The designated transit route covers Thailand → Chattogram → Burimari → India (Changrabandha–Siliguri Corridor–Hasimara/Jaigaon) → Phuentsholing, Bhutan. Bangladesh previously completed five similar trial runs for Indian transit cargo through Chattogram and Mongla ports.
