CCCI urges withdraw fines on determining HS code in customs

Chattogram Bureau :

Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mahbubul Alam has urged the government to consider the withdrawal of the existing fining system for mistakes in determining HS codes at the import stage from the next fiscal year.
“The major problem in importing products is now HS code complexity, which causes huge suffering for traders. Importers often face customs penalties and delays for unintentional mistakes in determining appropriate codes,” he said in a recent interview with The New Nation.
The first six digits of HS codes or Harmonised System codes are the same worldwide for a particular type of goods and the next two digits vary from country to country; he explained and noted that the Bangladesh government includes and updates HS Codes every year, which are later added to the Customs Tariff book.
“Since the system is completely manual, it becomes difficult to determine the correct HS code in many cases. This brings up the issue of mistakes and subsequent penalties. The imposition of fines due to such inadvertent mistakes should be stopped. Customs officers can correct or re-determine the codes and charge duties accordingly, instead of imposing fines. We want the HS code complexity to be resolved in the upcoming budget so that importers can get rid of hassles,” CCCI President Mahbubul Alam said.
For improved customs experience, the CCCI president called for an enriched chemical laboratory at the Chatttogram Customs with the necessary equipment and expert workforce.
The Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system should also be made effective to settle customs disputes, he added.
Mahbubul Alam noted that the Chattogram Chamber forwarded 90 recommendations related to customs duties, 36 to VAT, 54 to income tax and 9 others on various issues to the finance ministry for its consideration in formulating the FY23-24 budget.