NBR launches one-stop online hub for import-export services
NN Online:
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Sunday introduced an online import-export hub, offering a one-stop platform for customs and tariff-related information to facilitate international trade.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun attended the launching event as the chief guest while Foreign Investors’ Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)President Javed Akhtar attended the event as special guest.
Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited Managing Director and former FICCI president Rupali Haque Chowdhury, Fair Electronics Limited Director Mohammad Mesbaudin, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong and Party of the Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Project Chief Michael J Parr spoke on the occasion.
NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan presided over it while NBR Member (Customs Audit, Modernization and International Trade) Kazi Mostafizur Rahman delivered the welcome speech.
Through online import-export hub, businesses and individuals can access essential trade-related details, including general information, compliance requirements, product-specific documentation, tariff rates, duty and tax benefits, approximate tax calculator, and preferential tax benefits, through the website [hub.bangladeshcustoms.gov.bd].
NBR introduced this system along with the Customs Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) module within Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World, designed to facilitate faster consignment clearance at ports.
In his speech, Ashik Mahmud said automation in the revenue system is essential to facilitate business and investment.
“A new chapter in trade facilitation has begun in Bangladesh with the issuance and implementation of the AEO certificate,” he added.
He expressed his hope that importers and exporters will benefit greatly from the reduction of time and cost through proper implementation of AEO and thanked the NBR for fulfilling the long-standing demands of traders by introducing AEO in Bangladesh.
Under the AEO system, Abdur Rahman Khan said, compliant taxpayers will no longer face interventions from Customs authorities.
“The imported goods will be directly delivered to their premises from vessels under the self-assessment system,” he said.
He also mentioned that tax payments will be made through bank-to-bank fund transfers.
Zaved Akhter said this move will encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen investor confidence in Bangladesh.
Zaved, also the chairman of Unilever Bangladesh Limited, assured that he would highlight this progress in Bangladesh’s digital transformation to global investors.
NBR First Secretary (Customs) Amimul Ehsan Khan delivered a presentation.
During the presentation, he said exporters and importers can now easily access all necessary documents and tariff-related information, including legal explanations, through the online import-export hub system.
They no longer need to visit multiple offices to understand the process, he added.
Initially, he said, NBR launched this system for agricultural products.
“However, we are working to expand it to cover all products,” he added.