Customs allows manual billing at Dawki Land Port, restores cross-border trade with Bangladesh

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 20, 2025

Export operations at Dawki Land Port, a critical hub for India-Bangladesh trade, have resumed after days of disruption following a key directive by the Commissioner of Customs. With no internet facilities available at the port—required for the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system—manual processing of export bills has been permitted, bringing much-needed relief to stranded exporters.

The decision comes after trucks carrying limestone remained stuck since June 16, as export documentation could not be processed due to the lack of BSNL internet—the only network allowed for customs operations at the port.

“This decision is a significant step to ensure that trade activities at Dawki continue without further delays,” said Dolly Khonglah, Secretary of the Meghalaya International Exporters Chamber of Commerce (MIECC). “We thank the Commissioner of Customs for this prompt and considerate action. We are especially grateful to Ms. Clara Nongrum for her commitment and hands-on response to the crisis.”

Khonglah added that the absence of internet connectivity had created serious hardships for exporters and transporters who rely on daily trade to sustain their businesses. “We fully support the use of digital systems like EDI, but in regions where connectivity is unreliable or non-existent, there must be flexibility to ensure trade does not come to a standstill.”

MIECC has urged the government and Customs Department to resolve the persistent issue of poor internet infrastructure at Dawki Land Port. The Chamber stressed the need to permit the use of multiple service providers instead of relying solely on BSNL, which remains inconsistent in the area.

As one of the few official land ports facilitating formal export-import trade between India and Bangladesh, Dawki plays a vital role in the economic landscape of Meghalaya. The Chamber noted that smooth functioning of the port is essential not only for local livelihoods but also for national revenue and foreign exchange earnings.