As per the May 17 notification, garment imports will be regulated through select sea ports like in Kolkata (Haldia or Khidderpore docks) and Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva
Indian officials have rejected at least two informal attempts by Bangladesh to allow “existing readymade garment shipments” into the country, through Petrapole in West Bengal, post the Saturday evening (May 17) directive to route all shipments through select sea ports.
Officials told businessline, since Sunday afternoon, there have been attempts from the Bangladesh-side -officials and traders both to allow stuck shipments through; which have been rejected.
At least 38 trucks – carrying garments are waiting for entry into India at Benapole – the Bangladesh side, while attempts to arrange containers to ensure shipments to Kolkata port have not yielded any results. Till Sunday afternoon, there were 36 trucks which failed to enter into India, and by Monday-end two more trucks were denied entry into the country.
Video Credit: Businessline
Curbs on garment exports
As per the May 17 notification, garment imports will be regulated through select sea ports like in Kolkata (Haldia or Khidderpore docks) and Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva.
On an average, the value of shipments in each truck is expected at around ₹12 – 15 lakh, and approximately ₹6 crore worth of garments remain stuck at the land port.
Of the 120-180 trucks that cross over from Benapole to Petrapole, on a daily basis – now halved from the 300-odd at its peak – nearly 40 – 50 per cent of them used to carry garments.
On May 17, 228 vehicles (including garment shipments) came into India from its eastern neighbour, on Sunday there were 108 trucks and on Monday there were 163 trucks. As against this, there were 300- 350 trucks that went from Petrapole to Benapole .
Petrapole, is the largest land port in South Asia. Located along the international border between India and Bangladesh, at a distance of about 80 kms from Kolkata, the land port accounts for nearly 30 per cent of land-based trade between the two countries. Between FY18 and FY24, trade through Petrapole had moved up substantially, from ₹18,799 crore to ₹30,421 crore. In Covid years, FY20 and FY21, the trade was slightly lower at ₹20,605 crore and ₹15,771 crore, but then rose significant in FY22 and FY23 to ₹29,407 crore and ₹30,379 crore, as per data from the Land Ports Authority of India.
“Since May 17 no readymade garment shipments have come in. Some discussions were initiated by traders and officials to allow the stuck vehicles through. But, so far requests have not been acceded,” an official said.
The last vehicle allowed entry into India was identified as DMTA – 15 4551 – was around 1900 hrs.
Shipment of some FMCG goods through Petrapole for a Bangladeshi company continue, sources said. There continues to be restriction on import of food items like bakery products, snacks and so onthrough land custom stations and integrated check posts in the North East Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, and two other North Eastern places in West Bengal – that include Changrabandha and Fulbari .
Container Availability
A trader told businessline, that there were attempts to ensure cargo movement (for garments) happened via sea – to Kolkata, either Khidderpore or Haldia. But, there were no available empty containers. Moreover, re-routing shipments will now be a “costly affair”.
In case one has to send to Nhava Sheva or JNPT in Mumbai, a trans-shipment route through Colombo has to be looked into, which shoots up cost by nearly 100 per cent (doubling).
“Either way, placing orders with Bangladesh traders is now non-lucrative if the existing provisions continue,” the trader said.
Government sources said, till Tuesday there were no Bangladeshi garment shipment scheduled at Kolkata port (Khidderpore or Haldia).
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Published on May 20, 2025