NBR eases raw materials import to boost exports

Bangladesh National Board of Revenue (NBR) recently allowed partial export-oriented industrial units to import raw materials free of duty against a bank guarantee, in order to expanding export.

The NBR issued a notification on September 25, 2025, allowing partially exporting industrial enterprises to import raw materials duty-free against bank guarantees. Exporters who cannot obtain a bonded warehouse licence under existing bond management conditions can now import raw materials or goods without paying customs duties, according to a press statement issued by the NBR.

To avail of this duty-free benefit, the importing enterprise must submit a bank guarantee equivalent to the amount of duties and taxes assessed by the Customs authorities on the imported goods.
The NBR expects that allowing imports duty-free even without a bond license will enable maximum utilization of production capacity in exporting enterprises, diversify exportable products, and expand the country's export trade.

The NBR said many exporters cannot avail a bonded warehouse license — a facility that allows businesses to import raw materials for export-oriented products without paying import tariffs — in accordance with the existing rules.

By allowing the duty-free import of goods even without having a bond licence, the NBR expects that export-oriented enterprises would be able to maximise their production capacity and diversify exportable products, thus helping expand the country's export trade.
Chairman of Pran-RFL Group Ahsan Khan terms it 'a milestone' for local exporters who are supplying goods both for local market and abroad.
"I can compare it with that day, years ago, when the government introduced a bonded -- warehouse facility for 100-percent export-oriented industries," he told the Dhaka-based Financial Express, suggesting more focus on the country's competitiveness on the international market.

Bangladesh's much-desired export diversification will get a boost as many new sectors would be encouraged to eye the export markets offering competitive prices, he adds.
Masud Khan, Chairman of Unilever Consumer Care, also hails the NBR move to simplify import of raw material through allowing duty-free import.

"It was a crying need to manage the working capital of manufacturers," he told the Financial Express.
Though there was evidence of abuse of bonded warehouse facilities earlier, shutting down the door is not an option to thwart abuse of any facility, he observes.