PMO asks NBR to clarify tariff measures

Syful Islam The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has recently asked the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to clarify tariff measures relating to transit and transhipment of Indian goods through Bangladesh territory, official sources said. "Tariff measures concerning transhipment of Indian goods through the Ashuganj Port under the sub-regional cooperation initiative needs clarification," Shawkat Akbar, director of Sub-Regional Cooperation Cell under the PMO, wrote the NBR chairman. The PMO wanted to know whether the decisions on tariff measures, taken by the NBR relating to the transhipment of Indian goods last year, were compatible with the World Trade Organisations (WTO) rules. The PMO also asked if amendment to the existing Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) between the two countries would be needed for starting transhipment of Indian goods and realising tariff. The letter also wanted to know if tariff realised under the Customs Act would be considered as customs duty, and if there was any such example worldwide. The PMO also asked if the tariff structure would create any impact on income of shipping sector, and if the charges on Bangladeshi and Indian ships would be similar or not. The NBR sources said the revenue board last year, while setting tariff measures for transhipment of Indian goods through the Ashuganj Port under the PIWTT, decided that bank guarantee would have to be submitted for every consignment of goods. "The bank guarantee will be freed when the goods will leave Bangladesh territory", they said. The decision of realising bank guarantee was taken considering such practices in other countries and reviewing the policies of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), they added. The NBR also decided that actions would be taken under the Customs Act of 1969, if any differences were found against the declaration made by the Indian ships while availing the transhipment facility. "If any lid seal of consignment is found broken or there is any inconsistency on goods, actions will be taken under the Customs Act of 1969." The NBR also decided that the voyage order/permit of consignments for transit and transhipment would have to bear "for transit/transhipment" mark in bold font. Dhaka and New Delhi are in talks over using the Ashuganj Port for transit and transhipment of goods. India wants to carry its cargoes to the 'Seven Sister' states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Nepal and Bhutan are also interested to enjoy transit and transhipment facilities to facilitate their external trade activities.