The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is going to launch Internet-based National Enquiry Points (NEP) by January 26 so that the traders can make customs-related queries as well as receive responses online.
Once the NEP is introduced, a trader can post queries on the website -- www.bangadeshcustoms.gov.bd -- to seek information related to export, import and transit issues.
The NBR has planned to test the relevant software it developed with the support of USAID BFTA by December 31.
The NEP is likely to be launched on January 26, the International Customs Day, said NBR's First Secretary (Customs Modernisation) Mohammad Ehteshamul Hoque.
Trader can ask for export, import and transit-related information through NEP, he said.
Mr Hoque has presented a NEP guideline before the members and commissioners of Customs and VAT at a programme recently.
As per the Article 1.3 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, member countries need to, within its available resources, establish or maintain one or more enquiry points to answer reasonable enquiries of governments, traders, and other interested parties on matters related to import, export and transit trade.
NBR has decided to provide this service free of cost initially. In case of any fee, the amount may not exceed the cost of providing the service.
Any trader, user or individual, irrespective of nationality, will be able to avail themselves of this opportunity using the website.
A team of NBR officials headed by a member will answer the queries.
In the guideline, Mr Houque gave details about how traders can access the NEP to make enquiries, and how the NBR can use it to respond.
He explained the process of submission of enquiry, searching an enquiry by traders, monitoring the NEP operations by Member, activities on NEP operations by supervisors and how customs officers can respond to the queries.
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