Customs catches BMW, three other cars imported in pieces as ‘used parts’

Customs intelligence officials have seized parts of four luxury cars, including a BMW, at Chattogram port after they were imported from Japan as used car parts and old petrol engines.

The shipment was seized during a raid at the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) on Tuesday, officials said at a press conference.

The seized parts included those of a Lexus LX 600 SUV, Lexus SC 430, BMW M5 and Honda Beat NC, along with engines, the front sections of two cars and other components.

Sagar Sen, joint director of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, said the shipment arrived from Japan about a month ago and was being sought for release through auction without submitting the required documents.

The cars were valued at between Tk 95 million and Tk 120 million.

Sen said they may have been brought in dismantled to evade customs duty.

The directorate said on Tuesday night said a container carrying 8,018kg of goods had been imported from Japan, declared as used car parts and old petrol engines.

It said further investigation, physical examination and valuation would be needed to determine whether the shipment contained ordinary used car parts or was a planned attempt to bring in high-value cars in dismantled form to evade duty.

Five days earlier, on Aug 27, customs intelligence officials seized a BMW from a house garage in Chattogram, citing preliminary evidence that the car had been brought in through false declaration and duty evasion.

The following day, three more cars were seized from a hotel in Cox's Bazar. The owners claimed the vehicles were gifts from their father.

Customs officials said the cars were seized after the owners initially failed to produce valid import and purchase documents.