Import cargo operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka are continuing despite the absence of a functioning cargo scanner for nearly 10 months, raising concerns over cargo security and the detection of illicit consignments.
The scanner serving the airport’s import cargo facility was damaged in a fire at the Cargo Village Complex on October 18, 2025. It has yet to be restored or replaced, leaving Customs officials to rely primarily on bills of entry, documentation checks and physical inspections to assess incoming shipments.
Dhaka Customs House Commissioner Mashiur Rahman said during a September 3 press conference that procurement of a replacement scanner is currently underway. The prolonged absence of scanning technology, however, has reduced the ability of authorities to conduct systematic, non-intrusive inspections of imported cargo.
The issue has also highlighted security risks at the import facility. Customs recently seized 16 kg of gold concealed inside fruit cartons at the airport. Officials said the consignment was identified and searched based on prior intelligence, rather than through routine scanner-based screening.
The continued reliance on manual inspection could increase the workload for Customs personnel and make it more difficult to identify concealed goods among large volumes of legitimate imports. Industry and security concerns are therefore likely to remain until a replacement scanner is installed and fully operational.
The situation comes as Dhaka airport is already dealing with equipment-related challenges elsewhere in its cargo operations. In May, three of the airport’s four Explosive Detection System (EDS) scanners for export cargo were reported out of service, slowing cargo clearance and raising concerns about shipment delays.
Restoring scanning capability at the import cargo facility will be important for strengthening customs control, cargo security and efficient clearance at Bangladesh’s main international air gateway.