Govt to introduce unified IRC to simplify import registration

The government has taken an initiative to streamline import procedures and eliminate the requirement for businesses to hold multiple Import Registration Certificates (IRC) under a single Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), sources said.
Under the move, it is reviewing the issue to introduce a unified IRC or single IRC, replacing the existing separate industrial IRC and commercial IRC.
To execute the transition, the ministry constituted a high-level committee on July 14 headed by the additional secretary (IIT Wing) of the commerce ministry.
It comprises representatives from key state bodies, regulatory authorities, and trade organisations, including the commerce ministry, the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E), the National Board of Revenue (Income Tax & Customs Wings), Bangladesh Bank, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the FBCCI.
The panel has been instructed to submit a comprehensive report within 15 working days, detailing the feasibility, framework, and execution strategy for issuing a single IRC instead of separate industrial and commercial certificates.
The committee was formed following decisions made in a meeting chaired by the secretary of the commerce ministry on June 30, 2026.
Under the existing system, businesses engaged in both industrial and commercial import activities are required to obtain separate IRCs despite operating under a single TIN, resulting in additional compliance costs and administrative procedures.
According to commerce ministry officials, trade experts and trade leaders, removing the complexity of maintaining multiple IRCs under the same TIN will significantly lower the Cost of Doing Business in the country.
They said a unified IRC, if approved, would eliminate duplicate licensing requirements, cut compliance costs, streamline import procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for businesses, particularly those engaged in both industrial production and commercial trading.
Neighbouring countries and competing economies-such as India, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka-already utilise single-window registration systems for import-export transactions.
When contacted, a senior official said, "Operating separate Industrial and Commercial Import Registration Certificates under a single TIN creates redundant administrative steps and increases compliance overhead for our business community."
By moving towards a unified IRC, the government aims to eliminate duplicate licensing, simplify the import ecosystem, and significantly lower the cost of doing business in Bangladesh. "The proposed reform aligns our trade procedures with regional peers and marks a major step forward in our commitment to trade facilitation," he added.
Currently, the CCI&E oversees the issuance of the IRC across the country, which has shifted from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital process via the Online Licensing Module (OLM).

rezamumu@gmail.com