The Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) has unilaterally implemented a 9.85% fuel surcharge across off-dock service charges effective Monday (September 21), marking the third tariff revision within a single year by private Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Chattogram.
In a circular issued to clients, BICDA cited the government's 17.4% diesel price hike—from 115 Taka to 135 Taka per liter—as the primary reason for escalating operational expenses across fuel-dependent services. The updated rates apply to container transportation between Chattogram Port or Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) and ICDs, empty container handling, Verified Gross Mass (VGM) certification, stuffing, and import-export package charges.
Traders and business leaders expressed strong concerns over the unannounced decision, warning that higher logistics costs would erode Bangladesh's export competitiveness in global markets. Chittagong Chamber Vice President Amjad Hossain Chowdhury emphasized that sudden tariff adjustments disrupt supply chains and unfairly burden exporters operating under fixed pricing, while BICDA Secretary General Ruhul Amin Sikdar maintained that the surcharge was essential to offset direct operational losses caused by fuel price hikes.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Staff Reporter • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
