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EU blocks Bangladeshi cargo unless first screened for explosives

SHIPMENTS from Bangladesh are required to be inspected for explosives before the cargo can enter any European Union state by sea or air.

The new rule was introduced after the EU put Bangladesh on a list of countries with vulnerable cargo transportation systems because Bangladeshi ports lack bomb detection systems, reported IHS Media.

"Effective June 1, the EU will request carriers transporting mails and cargo from Bangladesh into EU to enforce additional screening measures," an EU official IHS Media.

"This additional screening relates to explosive detection. The screening can be performed either at the point of origin [Bangladesh] or at transit prior to the entry into the EU. The implementation will be the responsibility of the carriers/airlines."

The lack of equipment needed to screen cargo for explosives at the country's busiest port of Chittagong is expected to worsen its already bad congestion. Direct shipments of air cargo are possible through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which introduced a bomb detection dog after learning of the directive.

While the Chittagong port authority does perform various types of cargo screening, including for radiation, there is not currently any explosive screening in place, member of the Chittagong Port Authority, Zafar Alam, was quoted as saying. The government has not issued any directives to acquire the means to screen for explosives, but the port authority will comply when one is ordered, he said.

Shippers believe the additional screening measures will cost them both transit time and cash, as the EU is the top export destination for cargo from Bangladesh, president of the Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB), Abdus Salam Murshedy, told JOC.com.

The EU receives 60 per cent of Bangladesh's merchandise exports, he said. In fiscal year 2015 and 2016 Bangladesh exported US$18.68 billion worth of goods to the EU, of which $17.15 billion came from apparel shipments.