Evaluating Clearance Delays and their Impact on Supply Chain Efficiency: A Study on Chattogram Port

Abstract

This study investigates the clearance delays at Chattogram Port and their implications for supply chain efficiency in Bangladesh, adopting a qualitative research approach supported by case study evidence. As the country’s principal maritime gateway, Chattogram Port handles over 90% of containerized trade, yet clearance inefficiencies undermine both cost competitiveness and operational reliability. Primary data was collected through structured surveys with 10 respondents, including customs officials, C&F agents, and importers, to capture stakeholder experiences and perceptions regarding clearance processes. Thematic analysis revealed four dominant issues: manual documentation (cited by 80% of respondents), understaffing at customs and port authorities (70%), inadequate terminal infrastructure such as shortage of scanners and equipment (60%), and inefficient customs procedures including excessive physical inspections (50%). Respondents emphasized that these problems collectively prolong clearance times, disrupt production schedules, raise logistics costs, and reduce supply chain reliability—particularly for time-sensitive sectors like garments and pharmaceuticals. To enrich the qualitative findings, secondary evidence from the Time Release Study (TRS) 2022 was integrated as a case reference, which reported an Average Release Time (ART) of 11 days 6 hours. Stakeholder insights confirmed that these delays significantly disrupt lead times, increase logistics costs, and reduce reliability across industries such as garments and pharmaceuticals. The findings also reveal the effectiveness of Pre-Arrival Processing (PAP), which reduced clearance duration by an average of 43%. The study highlights the potential benefits of digitization, Pre-Arrival Processing (PAP), workforce capacity building, and infrastructure investment to mitigate these bottlenecks. By combining qualitative insights with case-based secondary data, the research underscores that clearance delays at Chattogram Port are not isolated technical problems but systemic challenges rooted in processes, institutions, and capacity gaps. The study concludes that coordinated investment in infrastructure, digital customs, workforce training, and PAP adoption is essential. These reforms will cut delays, boost supply chain performance, and strengthen Bangladesh’s global trade competitiveness.