National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan has attributed recent price increases on imported goods, including fruits, not to duties or tariffs but to the sharp rise in US dollar earning.
He made the remarks at a "Meet the Press" session at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon on Sunday, marking International Customs Day 2026.
Explaining the price surge, the NBR chief said, "Over the past two years, dollar has risen by nearly 40 percent. What could previously be bought at Tk 80-85 per dollar now costs Tk 126-127. Naturally, import costs have increased."
He stressed that no tariffs have been raised in the last 18 months to increase revenue. On the contrary, duties on essential items such as rice, onions, potatoes, and soybean oil have been reduced to protect public interest.
Addressing misinformation about high duties on imported fruits, he clarified that no duty hikes have been imposed. In fact, income tax on fruits has been reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent, and tariffs on imported dates have been significantly lowered.
On revenue collection, NBR Chairman highlighted the positive impact of mandatory online tax returns. Nearly 47 lakh taxpayers are now registered online, with 34.5 lakh returns submitted so far.
Direct revenue collection via online returns reached Tk 430 crore, compared to just Tk 170 crore last year. He also hinted at a possible extension of the filing deadline if necessary.
Regarding Bangladesh's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, he said the NBR is working to rationalize the tariff structure. A report recommending tariff reductions has been submitted to the Chief Advisor.
He expressed optimism that reforms separating policy-making and administrative functions within the NBR would be visible before the upcoming national elections.
Abdur Rahman identified preventing money laundering through false declarations as a key priority for the customs department.
He said new software is being developed to speed up goods clearance, noting that currently 90 percent of shipments are cleared within a day, though suspicious consignments undergo further checks.
He added that regular inspections are being conducted at airports to prevent the import of foreign cigarettes, and strict action will be taken against under- or over-invoicing.
The NBR said a seminar will be held on Monday at its headquarters to mark International Customs Day, with similar discussions planned at customs houses and stations across the country.
