Duty raised on gold of air passengers

Finance Minister AMA Muhith proposed Thursday a raise in the specific duty to Tk 3,000 from the existing Tk 1,500 per tola of gold (11.664 gram) if aircraft passengers bring it in excess of 200 grams as smuggling in the precious metal marked an unusual rise in recent time. He also proposed allowing passengers to bring 100 grams of gold ornaments free of tax under the Passenger Baggage Rules in his budget speech. The finance minister said "Gold smuggling has gone up abnormally. Meanwhile, two big attempts to smuggle in 106 and 105 kilograms of gold  were thwarted in last March and April at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport." Under the present Passenger (non-tourists) Baggage Rule, a passenger is allowed to bring up to 200 grams (about 17 tola) of gold ornaments without paying any  duty.    — FE Report