United News of Bangladesh

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has made it mandatory to use data from the ASYCUDA system while assessing income tax in cases involving importers, aiming to enhance transparency and reduce tax evasion. In a directive issued on March 4, the NBR instructed income tax officials under its Income Tax Wing to collect and use authentic information on imported goods and advance income tax paid at the import stage from the ASYCUDA system’s Business Intelligence (BI) server. According to the order, tax officials will have to rely on this information when selecting cases for audit, reopening tax cases under the Income Tax Act, or correcting erroneous tax assessments. The directive also outlines the procedure for using the BI server of the ASYCUDA system. It states that supervisory range officers will obtain the relevant information from the server and provide it in writing to the concerned circle officers responsible for determining tax. The system will enable officials to verify key import-related information of taxpayers, including the quantity of goods imported, the declared import value and the advance income tax paid at the import stage. NBR officials said the measure is expected to ensure greater accuracy in granting advance income tax credit during tax assessment. Under the new arrangement, commissioners and supervisory range officers will be able to log into the BI server from pre-designated IP-bounded computers. After collecting information from the server, range officers will also have to record the data regularly in a specific register. The revenue authority said the initiative will make it easier to verify import-related tax data during the settlement of income tax cases, helping to ensure a transparent and accurate assessment process.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has established an electronic interconnection between ASYCUDA World and BGMEA’s e-Utilisation Declaration (e-UD) system, aiming to modernise Bangladesh’s bond management and customs clearance processes. The integration came into effect on January 11 with a plan to make the bond management system more modern, efficient and technology-driven, while ensuring faster assessment and clearance of bonded raw materials and exported goods, NBR officials said. They said the initiative is also expected to strengthen transparency, accountability and competitiveness in line with international best practices. Under the bonded warehouse facility, exporters, particularly those in the readymade garment sector, can import raw materials duty-free against their export commitments. Previously, verification of Utilisation Declarations (UDs) involved manual processes and reliance on BGMEA’s internal system. This often resulted in procedural complexities, delays in clearance, and challenges in ensuring effective oversight, revenue protection and accountability. With the new interconnection, UD verification will now be conducted fully online and on a real-time basis through ASYCUDA World, Bangladesh’s automated customs management system. According to the NBR officials, the move will significantly reduce paperwork, minimise human intervention and speed up customs procedures for both imports and exports under the bond facility. The NBR said the initiative would bring several tangible benefits, including faster and more efficient clearance of import-export consignments, reduced dependence on physical documents, and a substantial reduction in revenue risks through improved digital verification. The integration is also expected to enhance overall risk management and strengthen safeguards against misuse of bonded facilities. Officials noted that the successful completion of the pilot phase paved the way for the full-scale integration. Following this, the authorities plan to gradually introduce electronic UD write-off procedures, further automating the bond management lifecycle and reducing manual interventions at later stages. The integration has been implemented as a joint initiative of the NBR and BGMEA, reflecting closer collaboration between the revenue authority and the country’s largest export-oriented trade body. The readymade garment sector accounts for the bulk of Bangladesh’s export earnings, and efficient bond management is considered critical for maintaining its global competitiveness. Describing the initiative as a milestone, the NBR said the interconnection is a major step towards establishing a paperless customs system in Bangladesh. It is expected to play an important role in trade facilitation, reducing transaction costs, and aligning the country’s customs administration with international standards. The NBR reiterated its commitment to leveraging technology to modernise customs operations, improve ease of doing business and support the country’s export-led growth, while ensuring effective revenue protection and regulatory compliance.  

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started the test operation of a hotline to provide services related to ASYCUDA World Systems for customs. The hotline number is 16134. The traders will get this service from May 15, 2022, NBR director (public relations) Syed A Mumen confirmed to UNB on Saturday evening. The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) is a computerized system designed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva to administer a country's customs. Read: NBR may miss revenue target Tk 3.30 trillion this year too The service recipients will get any service related to customs calling that hotline number. The hotline will be open every working day from 9 am to 5 pm. The regular call charges will be applicable for getting services on the hotline. Mumen said that through the hotline, the service recipients will be able to know about the existing customs related laws and regulations in the country, including customs related services, necessary information and advice. According to NBR, ASYCUDA World Systems is used to facilitate the import-export process and reduce the risk and generate revenue in the shortest possible time. At present, six customs houses affiliated to the NBR, 26 customs stations, 20 off-docks and EPZs are operating through the ASYCUDA World Systems. Read: NBR works for win-win tax in upcoming budget: Finance Minister Officials working in customs offices, port authorities, Bangladesh Bank, Sonali Bank, Bangladesh Biman, Shipping Agent, C&F Agent, Freight Forwarders, Feeder Operators and various commercial and non-governmental organizations including all commercial banks are using this system.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will soon set up a separate central risk management unit of the customs department to combat duty evasion through use of technology.