Duty-free MP cars under port custody, authorities seek purchase approval
- Update Time : 04:37:54 am, Wednesday, 12 March 2025
- / 768 Time View

The Chittagong Port Authority has sought approval from the Ministry of Shipping to purchase five luxury Land Cruisers that were originally imported under the duty-free quota for fugitive and former members of parliament. Despite not participating in the direct auction, the port authority is willing to acquire each vehicle at a reserve price of BDT 96.7 million. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Customs House is preparing for a second auction after failing to sell 30 MP quota vehicles in the first attempt. These high-end vehicles have been sitting idle in the port’s car shed for over seven months, as they are not permitted for general use. In a letter to the ministry, the port authority highlighted its vehicle shortage and requested approval to purchase five VIP Land Cruisers. Chittagong Port Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruq stated that the customs authority has been unable to attract buyers at their reserve prices through the auction process, but the port authority has expressed interest in acquiring five vehicles at the full reserve value. In the first auction, where 24 vehicles were put up for sale with a reserve price of BDT 96.7 million each, the highest bid reached only BDT 31 million—falling short of the required 60% of the reserve price—making it impossible to sell any of the cars. Additionally, there was no interest from bidders for nine of the vehicles. If the port authority proceeds with the purchase, customs officials argue it could boost government revenue, as the full reserve price would be paid. However, bidder representatives caution that legal complications may arise since these MP quota vehicles are cataloged for auction, meaning the port authority must participate in the bidding process and emerge as the highest bidder to acquire them. Mohammad Yakub Chowdhury, General Secretary of the Chittagong Customs Bidders’ Association, emphasized that any entity wishing to purchase the vehicles must do so through the auction unless a special government directive allows for their acquisition under specific conditions. These vehicles, originally imported from Japan, have an estimated market value of BDT 1.2 to 1.5 billion each. However, MPs of the 12th Parliament were able to import them duty-free for BDT 10 to 15 million each. Due to their abrupt departure following a mass student and public uprising, they failed to take delivery of these vehicles, leaving them stranded at the port.



















