Chittagong port shipping covers almost all of Bangladesh's container trade, plus breakbulk, bulk and tanker cargo. Chattogram (Chittagong) Port is run by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), sits on the Karnaphuli River, and handled 3,531,118 TEU in fiscal year 2025-26. This guide covers the terminals, the ship limits that shape every booking, customs at the port and how we move your cargo there from Dubai. We ship both from Dubai to Chittagong and from Chittagong to Dubai.
Chittagong port guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port authority | Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) |
| Customs | Chittagong Customs House, Bangladesh Customs (NBR), ASYCUDA World system |
| UN/LOCODE | BDCGP |
| Location | Karnaphuli River, Chattogram, Bangladesh |
| Main terminals | General Cargo Berth (GCB), Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) |
| Berths for ocean-going ships (CPA) | 6 general cargo, 11 container, plus specialised bulk, oil and repair berths: 36 in total |
| Maximum draught at jetty berths | 10.0 m, subject to the day's tide |
| Maximum ship length at jetty berths | 200 m (175 m for night navigation) |
| Containers, fiscal year 2025-26 | 3,531,118 TEU, up 7.13% |
| Cargo, fiscal year 2025-26 | 138,072,826 tonnes |
| Vessel calls, fiscal year 2025-26 | 4,336 |
| Nearest airport | Shah Amanat International (CGP), about 3 km away |
| Inland container links | Kamalapur ICD, Dhaka (rail) and Pangaon inland terminal (river) |
| Standard import VAT in Bangladesh | 15% |
| Chittagong to Dubai | Export declared by the shipper or its C&F agent with ERC, BIN and EXP form; UAE duty 5% of CIF and VAT 5% |
Where is Chattogram port and how does cargo reach it?
The port lies on the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, about nine nautical miles from the Bay of Bengal. Ships enter from the Bay of Bengal through the river channel, so tide and depth decide which ships can come alongside. The CPA publishes a daily maximum safe draught. For January to June 2026 it was 10.0 m every day, and the CPA warns it may cut 0.30 m without notice if the depth over the bar drops.
Ships too deep for the berths wait at the outer anchorages (Alpha, Bravo and Charlie) and lighten cargo there. That is common for bulk carriers. Container ships on Gulf and Asia services are sized to fit the river limits, which is why most cargo from Dubai arrives on a feeder vessel, often after transshipment.
Once landed, cargo moves inland three ways:
- By road, from the port or a private off-dock depot to the consignee.
- By rail, to the Kamalapur inland container depot (ICD) in Dhaka. It handled 29,670 TEU of imports in fiscal year 2025-26.
- By river, to the Pangaon inland container terminal near Dhaka. Two NCT berths are reserved for the Pangaon vessel.
Which terminals does Chittagong port have?
Chattogram has one general cargo area and three container terminals inside the port, plus an overflow yard and private off-dock depots outside it. The CPA owns the terminals. Your carrier's service decides which one your box uses.
| Terminal | What it handles | Operator notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Cargo Berth (GCB) | Breakbulk, containers, transit sheds and open storage | CPA berths; the largest yard area in the port at 371,481 m² |
| Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) | Containers | CPA-owned; container yard of 150,000 m² |
| New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) | Containers, including the Pangaon river service | Opened in 2007. DP World signed a 15-year concession on 8 October 2026; the CPA keeps ownership and the handover is targeted for March 2027 |
| Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) | Containers, three container jetties and one oil jetty | Run by Red Sea Gateway Terminal International since June 2024 under a 22-year concession |
| New Mooring overflow yard and off-docks | Container storage, stuffing, unstuffing | Used to ease the port yard; some commodities must be delivered from private off-docks |
Because operators are changing at NCT, check the terminal and its gate rules on the arrival notice for every shipment.
Ship size limits by berth
These limits come from the CPA's draught notice for January to June 2026. They decide which vessel the carrier can put on the service, and they matter most for breakbulk charters.
| Berth | Maximum length (LOA) | Maximum draught |
|---|---|---|
| PCT (container ships) | 200 m | 10.0 m |
| CCT and NCT berths 2 to 4 | 186 m (186 to 190 m at 9.5 m) | 10.0 m |
| GCB jetties 9 to 13 | 190 m | 9.5 m |
| GCB jetties 2 to 8 | Up to 190 m, speed rules apply | 8.55 m |
| NCT berths 1 and 5 (Pangaon vessel) | 177 m | 10.0 m |
| Matarbari Terminal coal jetty | 230 m | 11.5 m |
At night, ships up to 175 m and 9.00 m draught may berth and sail at the main terminals. Car carriers, Ro-Ro ships and vessels with the bridge at the bow have extra limits, so vehicle shipments need an early check.
Equipment and storage
| Equipment (CPA list to February 2025) | Capacity | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Quay gantry cranes | 40 t | 18 |
| Rubber tyred gantry cranes | 40 t | 52 |
| Mobile harbour cranes | 84 t | 5 |
| Straddle carriers | 40 t | 51 |
| Reach stackers | 45 t | 21 |
| Mobile cranes | 10 t to 100 t | 51 (2 of them 100 t) |
| Forklifts | 1.5 t to 20 t | Over 160 |
The CPA's FCL storage table lists yard space for 53,518 TEU across GCB, CCT, the NCT yard, the north and south container yards and the New Mooring overflow yard. That table does not include PCT.
What cargo can you ship through Chittagong port?
Imports far outweigh exports by tonnage. In fiscal year 2025-26 the port handled 121.9 million tonnes of imports against 8.5 million tonnes of exports. Here is how each cargo type usually moves.
| Cargo type | How it moves | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods and raw materials | FCL or LCL through CCT, NCT, PCT or GCB | Terminal on the arrival notice, delivery point, free time |
| Bulk commodities in containers (cotton, grains, paper) | FCL, delivered through a private off-dock depot | Which off-dock the line uses |
| Machinery and steel | Breakbulk at GCB, or flat racks and open tops | Ship size limits, lifting gear, open storage |
| Chemicals and other DG | DG containers, chemical shed at GCB | Carrier acceptance, documents before arrival |
| Chilled and frozen food | Reefer containers, CY delivery | Permits and radiation certificates for food |
| Vehicles | Ro-Ro or containers, car sheds at GCB | Ship type limits, car shed space |
| Fuel, grain, cement clinker, fertilizer | Dedicated bulk jetties and lighterage at anchorage | Draught, discharge plan, receiver's jetty |
Cargo, container and vessel volumes
| Fiscal year | Cargo (tonnes) | Containers (TEU) | Vessels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 123,242,748 | 3,168,690 | 3,971 |
| 2024-25 | 130,724,783 | 3,296,067 | 4,077 |
| 2025-26 | 138,072,826 | 3,531,118 | 4,336 |
FCL and LCL shipping to Chittagong port
Most cargo from the UAE arrives in containers. With FCL you book a whole box. With LCL your cargo shares a box and is unpacked at a container freight station (CFS). The CPA lists CFS sheds at GCB, CCT, NCT, PCT, the New Mooring overflow yard, Pangaon and Kamalapur ICD.
Carrier delivery rules matter here. Maersk, for example, applies these rules for Bangladesh:
- Containers under one bill of lading go for CY delivery. Containers shared by several bills of lading go for CFS delivery.
- Chattogram accepts both CY and CFS delivery. Dhaka ICD accepts CY delivery only.
- Reefers are delivered CY only at Chattogram, and reefer, out-of-gauge and 45 ft boxes are not accepted for Dhaka.
If you are close to half a container, price both options. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs walks through the maths, and our sea freight service books both from the UAE.
Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo at Chittagong
Breakbulk is handled mainly at GCB. The CPA lists transit sheds of 38,507 m² and open dumps of 28,884 m² there, with mobile cranes up to 100 tonnes and 84-tonne mobile harbour cranes. GCB jetties 2 to 8 take ships drawing no more than 8.55 m, and a 61 m mast height limit applies at GCB because of an overhead cable.
When you ship project cargo to Chattogram with us, we plan it in this order:
- Collect drawings, weights and centre of gravity for each piece.
- Check the ship against the berth limits: length, draught and mast height.
- Choose flat rack on a container feeder, or a geared breakbulk ship.
- Confirm discharge gear, because port cranes top out at 100 tonnes.
- Line up the consignee's C&F agent and the road move from the port.
A useful rule: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack, a container service gives you more sailings. If not, the sailing date of a suitable breakbulk ship drives the plan. See our break bulk and project cargo service and our guide to flat rack, open top and out-of-gauge cargo.
Dangerous goods at Chittagong port
The CPA has a dedicated chemical shed (shed P) of 2,823 m² at GCB. Bangladesh Customs lists a dangerous goods certificate among the import documents for DG cargo. Carrier acceptance is the tighter limit. Maersk's Bangladesh rules, for example:
- No IMO Class 1 or Class 7 imports as a general policy.
- Several products and classes are not accepted for Chattogram discharge, and no DG in reefers.
- DG only in 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube dry containers.
- IMO class, UN number and technical name on the bill of lading, and DG documents at the Chattogram office 72 hours before the feeder arrives.
Other lines have their own lists. Our dangerous goods shipping team gets acceptance before you pack, and checks the SDS, DG declaration, packaging and labels.
Customs clearance at Chittagong port
Imports through the port are cleared by the Chittagong Customs House in ASYCUDA World. The system links customs with banks for tax and LC data, and with the port's container terminal system, which tells the port when a container can be released. Nationally, 82% of declarations were assessed within three days in 2021.
- The shipping line files the Import General Manifest at least 24 hours before the ship sails from its last port before Bangladesh.
- The importer's licensed C&F agent files the bill of entry.
- Customs checks documents, value and HS code, and may examine the cargo.
- Duties and taxes are paid through a linked bank.
- Customs releases the goods, the port releases the box, and the agent delivers it.
Which documents does Chittagong customs need?
Bangladesh Customs lists these general import documents. Product-specific papers are shown by HS code on the Bangladesh Customs Import Export Hub.
| Group | Documents |
|---|---|
| Importer registration | Import Registration Certificate (IRC), VAT registration (BIN) certificate |
| Payment | Letter of credit, or sales or purchase order and payment documents when there is no LC |
| Commercial | Proforma invoice, commercial invoice, packing list, detailed packing list, value declaration form |
| Transport | Bill of lading (or other waybill), insurance cover note |
| Origin | Certificate of origin |
| Special | Regulator's permit if required, ISPM-15 for wood packaging, DG certificate, IPR certificate |
Since the Import Policy Order 2026-2029, importers can bring in allowable goods on sales contracts without an LC, and open account payment is allowed. Many buyers still use LCs, so confirm the route before shipping.
Bill of lading and container rules at the port
- Consignee: a Bangladeshi bank, a Bangladeshi importer with an 11-digit BIN, or a government-approved local forwarder with a 9-digit AIN. "To order" and foreign consignees are not accepted.
- Notify party: in Bangladesh, written out in full, never "same as consignee".
- Cargo description: accurate, with the HS code and the technical name for chemicals. The port and customs will not allow discharge of cargo with an unclear description.
- Weights and CBM: must match the packing list and the stuffing.
- Seal: a bullet seal on every laden import container, under CPA circular 17/2021. The CPA may refuse to discharge a box without one.
Some containerised commodities, such as raw cotton, wheat, rice, lentils, waste paper and soda ash, must be delivered through private off-dock depots under NBR and CPA rules.
Duty and VAT at a glance
Imports can pay customs duty, regulatory duty, supplementary duty, VAT at the 15% standard rate, advance income tax and advance tax. Rates depend on the HS code and are listed on the Customs Hub.
How to ship from Dubai to Chittagong port: step by step
This is how we handle a typical shipment from the UAE to Chattogram. We book space, prepare documents and arrange UAE trucking and export clearance. The consignee's C&F agent clears the cargo in Bangladesh.
- Confirm the buyer's setup. Valid IRC and BIN, the payment route and the C&F agent's details.
- Send us the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, pickup point in the UAE and delivery point (Chattogram, off-dock, Dhaka ICD or Pangaon).
- Get a quote and pick the service. We compare services from Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and check carrier acceptance for DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo.
- Prepare documents. Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, ISPM-15 and DG papers where needed, checked against the LC if there is one.
- Draft the bill of lading. We check consignee, BIN or AIN, notify party, HS code, weights and seal against the Bangladesh rules.
- Export from the UAE. We truck the cargo, file the Dubai export declaration and gate in before the cut-off, with a bullet seal on the box.
- Send documents ahead. The B/L and copies go to the buyer, its bank and its C&F agent before the feeder arrives.
- Track to delivery. We follow the box through transshipment to discharge and release, then close the file when the empty is returned.
[AMIR-FACT: our real Jebel Ali to Chattogram transit days, the carriers or feeders we book, the usual transshipment port, and one recent shipment we moved there]
How to ship from Chittagong port to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Chattogram to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space and run the UAE side. The Bangladesh export papers stay with the shipper or its C&F agent.
The Bangladesh export side
- The shipper or its C&F agent lodges the export declaration with Bangladesh Customs at Chattogram.
- The NBR list of general export documents includes the Export Registration Certificate (ERC), the VAT registration (BIN) certificate, the export LC or contract, the EXP form under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947, the commercial invoice, packing lists, the bill of lading and the certificate of origin.
- Some goods also need an export permit. The C&F agent checks this against the HS code before the booking.
- The shipper or its trucker delivers the box to the terminal or off-dock depot named in the booking. The same draught limits apply to ships on the way out.
The UAE import side
On arrival, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin and any permit for restricted goods. For sea cargo the GCC customs guide also lists the bill of lading and the delivery order. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%. A VAT-registered importer accounts for it on its VAT return, while an importer that is not registered pays it before Customs releases the goods.
- Send us the shipper's details in Bangladesh, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space and send the booking and cut-off to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker loads the container and delivers it to the terminal or off-dock depot.
- The shipper or its C&F agent files the export declaration with the ERC, BIN and EXP form.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We file the UAE declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order.
- We truck the cargo to your site and return the empty container inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers or feeders we actually use from Chattogram to Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah, the usual transshipment port, and our real transit days in this direction]
How reliable are sailings into Chittagong port?
Plan buffer time into every delivery date. Schedule tracker Fluent Cargo lists 27 carriers serving Chittagong, with Maersk the most frequent at a call every one to two days. The same page measured on-time performance of 6.82% for September, with ships arriving 7.5 days late on average, up from 5.8 days the month before.
Two rules follow. Do not promise your buyer a fixed arrival date based on the sailing schedule alone. And if goods are needed for a production line or a tender, book an earlier sailing or split the urgent part by air to Dhaka or Chattogram.
Free time, storage and demurrage at Chattogram
Two clocks run on every import container. The port charges storage once its free days end, and the shipping line charges demurrage and detention once its free days end. The CPA revised its tariff in September 2025, the first increase since 1986, and export containers now get 6 free days in port.
Line free time and daily rates differ by carrier and container type, so read them on your quote. To keep costs down, send documents early, make sure the buyer's payment route is ready before arrival, and agree who books delivery. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how the charges add up.
Checklist before you ship to Chattogram
- Buyer's IRC and 11-digit BIN confirmed.
- Payment route agreed: LC, sales contract or open account.
- HS code agreed and product-specific documents checked on the Customs Hub.
- B/L consignee and notify party meet Bangladesh rules.
- Cargo description detailed, with HS code and technical names.
- Weights and CBM match the packing list and stuffing.
- Bullet seal fitted.
- Delivery point confirmed and accepted by the carrier.
- For DG: carrier acceptance and documents ready 72 hours before arrival.
- For breakbulk: ship checked against berth length, draught and mast limits.
Common mistakes
- Booking Dhaka delivery for a reefer or out-of-gauge box that the carrier will only deliver at Chattogram.
- Consigning "To order" or to a party outside Bangladesh.
- Writing "same as consignee" in the notify field.
- Shipping before the buyer's bank is ready, so the cargo waits while storage builds up.
- Using an ordinary seal instead of a bullet seal.
- Chartering a breakbulk ship that is too long or too deep for the berth.
- Vague descriptions such as "chemicals" that stop discharge or delay assessment.
Chittagong, Mongla or an inland depot: which fits your cargo?
| Your situation | Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most container and breakbulk cargo | Chattogram Port | Almost all sailings, all cargo types |
| Dhaka consignee, standard dry boxes | Kamalapur ICD by rail or Pangaon by river | Shorter road leg, if the carrier offers it |
| Bulk commodity in containers | Private off-dock depot near Chattogram | Required for listed commodities |
| Consignee in the southwest | Mongla Port | Second seaport; 29,714 TEU in fiscal year 2025-26 and far fewer services |
Frequently asked questions
Is Chittagong the same port as Chattogram?
Yes. Chattogram and Chittagong are two spellings of the same city and port. The authority uses the name Chittagong Port Authority, and the port code is BDCGP.
Who operates Chittagong port?
The Chittagong Port Authority owns and manages the port. Patenga Container Terminal is run by Red Sea Gateway Terminal International, and DP World signed a 15-year concession for New Mooring Container Terminal in October 2026.
What is the maximum draught at Chittagong port?
The CPA set a maximum safe draught of 10.0 m for its jetty berths from January to June 2026, with a 200 m length limit. Individual berths have lower limits, and the day's draught depends on the tide.
How many containers does Chittagong port handle?
The port handled 3,531,118 TEU in fiscal year 2025-26, up 7.13% on the year before. That includes containers moved on to Kamalapur ICD and Pangaon.
What documents do I need to clear cargo at Chittagong?
The importer needs an IRC and BIN, an LC or sales contract with payment documents, and the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and insurance cover note. Some goods also need permits or certificates.
Can I ship dangerous goods to Chittagong?
Yes, with carrier acceptance. Bangladesh Customs needs a DG certificate, and some lines refuse certain classes. Maersk, for example, does not accept Class 1 or Class 7 for import.
Why do containers to Chittagong need a bullet seal?
CPA circular 17/2021 requires a bullet seal on every laden import container handled at the port. The port may refuse to discharge a container without one.
How do I ship from Dubai to Chittagong?
The buyer confirms its IRC, BIN and C&F agent, and we book a service from Jebel Ali, check the bill of lading against the Bangladesh rules and file the Dubai export declaration. The buyer's C&F agent clears the cargo at Chattogram.
How does cargo get from Chittagong to Dhaka?
By truck, by rail to Kamalapur ICD, or by river to Pangaon. Rail and river delivery depend on the carrier and container type.
How do I ship from Chittagong to Dubai?
The shipper or its C&F agent files the export declaration with documents such as the ERC, BIN certificate and EXP form. We book the space, file the Dubai Customs declaration before arrival, arrange payment of the 5% duty on the CIF value and the 5% import VAT, and deliver.
Get a quote for Chittagong port shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing and a price for shipping from the UAE to Chattogram. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a breakbulk, project or DG shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Chittagong Port Authority: official website
- Wikipedia: Chittagong Port Authority (distance from the Bay of Bengal)
- Chittagong Port Authority: cargo, container and vessel handling statistics, 2019-20 to 2025-26 (signed July 2026)
- Chittagong Port Authority: maximum safe draught and berth limits, January to June 2026
- Chittagong Port Authority: jetties and moorings
- Chittagong Port Authority: container and cargo handling equipment (to February 2025)
- Chittagong Port Authority: breakbulk and container storage space
- Chittagong Port Authority: FCL container storage capacity
- DP World: 15-year concession for New Mooring Container Terminal (8 October 2026)
- Maritime Gateway: NCT handover targeted for March 2027
- Arab News: Patenga Container Terminal under RSGT (June 2026)
- The Business Standard: Patenga Container Terminal opens for import cargo (March 2025)
- The Financial Express: Chittagong port tariffs revised (September 2025)
- Maritime Gateway: Mongla Port results for fiscal year 2025-26
- Fluent Cargo: Chittagong (BDCGP) port profile (carriers, nearest airport, on-time performance)
- Maersk: Bangladesh import information (B/L rules, IGM, bullet seals, DG, delivery modes)
- Bangladesh Customs Import Export Hub: general import documents
- UNCTAD ASYCUDA: Bangladesh country profile
- UNB: Bangladesh Bank guidelines for the Import Policy Order 2026-29
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bangladesh other taxes
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (import, export and re-export documents)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (duty of 5% of CIF value, CIF definition)
- UAE Government portal: Clearing customs and paying customs duty
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT (5% rate)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (import VAT, reverse charge and payment before release)
- GCC Unified Guide for Customs Procedures at First Points of Entry (import and export documents)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026