The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is going to propose a set of amendments to the existing customs act with an aim to introduce a single 'goods declaration' system, authorised economic operators (AEO) to simplify customs clearance and a provision making incorporation of any new rule participatory.
The proposal is likely to be placed in the parliament in its upcoming budget session. The amendments are scheduled to come into force from July 1, 2015.
"The NBR with the support of International Finance Corporation (IFC) has drafted the amendments to make sure the country's customs act, 1969 conforms to the international standard and is business-friendly," NBR member Md Farid Uddin said while presiding over a consultation meeting with businesses Thursday.
The meeting was held at a city hotel to take external stakeholders' opinions about how to make the customs act participatory.
Representatives from Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Clearing and Forwarding Agents and port operators placed their respective opinions at the meeting.
The businesses urged the customs authorities to ensure transparency and cut the discretionary power of taxmen.
FBCCI adviser Manzur Ahmed said any change in customs rules should be made through discussion with the stakeholders.
He said the AEO would benefit the multinational companies, not local ones.
In the draft customs act, the NBR pledged to authorise persons with good compliance records as AEOs to use certain simplified declaration and release procedures, not available for other traders.
Ferdous Ara Begum, CEO of Build, said the customs act should be consistent with the import policy of the country.
Sheikh Farid, representative of C&F agents, underscored the need for forming a commission to amend the customs act. He also suggested incorporation of a self-defence system in the act for the businesses.
The representative of BASIS urged the customs wing to include import and export of software under the customs act while the representative of BGMEA suggested review of the proposed post-clearance audit which might cause harassment to businesses.
NBR member Farid said the customs act would be amended with an aim to ensure single-window facilities for global trade.
The amendments will ensure the right of an importer or exporter to re-test of goods, if an initial test is adverse. The test will be done at the board-accredited private laboratories.
The draft of the amendments has been made in line with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) standard, particularly the revised Kyoto convention, and the WTO trade facilitation agreement.
Two IFC experts, Dietmar Jost Consulting and Brian J. O'Shea, provided technical support to draft the amendments as per international standard.
