More than 38 tonnes of Indian green chillies have entered Bangladesh through the Benapole Land Port over the past two days as authorities seek to ease soaring prices in the domestic market.

Importers say although the chillies are bought in India for Tk 25-40 a kg, the cost rises to Tk 135-160 a kg by the time they reach consumers in Bangladesh.

On Wednesday, Benapole Land Port Director (Traffic) Shamim Hossain said customs formalities were being completed immediately after the trucks arrived to speed up clearance.

He said 29,220kg of chillies entered the port on Tuesday, while another 9,200kg arrived on Monday.

Several more trucks loaded with green chillies are waiting across the border to enter the country.

As Wednesday is a public holiday, those consignments are likely to arrive on Thursday, Shamim added.

Shimu Enterprise and Royal Enterprise imported the shipments, while clearance activities at the port were managed by C and F agents Shimu Shipping Lines and Royal Enterprise.

Importers explained that invoice purchase prices are listed at Tk 25 to Tk 40 per kg, but the National Board of Revenue (NBR) assesses the duty at $0.50 per kg regardless of purchase price, fixing the base value at Tk 61.78.

Insurance, landing charges, and duties push the cost to Tk 64–79 per kg.

Additional expenses including Indian exporter fees, freight charges, bank LC opening costs, currency adjustments, labour, customs, port charges, C and F fees, and transport to Dhaka add another Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg, bringing final costs to Tk 135–160 per kg.

Chilli importer Shahajan Kabir said traders are selling at thin profit margins, adding that increased supply will drive down prices, though freight, customs, port, and clearance costs drive up expenses and risk losses.

Another importer, Royal Enterprise owner Rafiqul Islam, said customs duties should be based on the actual purchase price rather than the fixed minimum value.

He argued that importers would be able to supply green chillies to the market at lower prices if duties reflected the invoice value.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, imports have begun from several Indian states after government approval.

In the first phase, 69 traders received import permits for a combined 29,710 tonnes of green chillies.

Meanwhile, prices have started easing as imports increase through different land ports.

Benapole wholesale vegetable trader Ishaq Ali said green chillies had sold for Tk 320 a kg two days earlier.

On Tuesday morning, wholesale prices fell to Tk 280-300 a kg before dropping further to Tk 250-260 by the afternoon.