January 22, 2026
THAKURGAON – Rice imports from India through Hili land port in Dinajpur’s Birampur upazila resumed today after a 120-day suspension.
MR Zaman Badhon, revenue officer of Customs and Excise at the land port, told The Daily Star that a total of 243 tonnes of coarse rice arrived on six trucks. Of this, 158 tonnes were released after collecting Tk 1.96 lakh as advance income tax.
Yusuf Ali, sub-assistant quarantine officer at Hili land port, said importers began bringing in rice today after receiving permission on January 18. “Imported consignments are released after quality checks,” he added.
So far, 40 importers have been authorised to import a total of 17,000 tonnes of rice, he added.
Rintu Kamal Sarcar, representative of DP Enterprise, said the company brought 77 tonnes of coarse rice branded ‘Sampa Katari’ in two trucks in the first shipment.
“Locally produced coarse rice is selling at Tk 70–71 per kg, while imported rice is priced at Tk 64–65 per kg in the port area,” he said.