Presently, 425-per cent duty and taxes are imposed on liquor imports, and 310 per cent on beer imports, making alcohol prices sky-high for consumers.
Of the total tax incidences, data shows, supplementary duty on liquor alone is 350 per cent and it is 250 per cent for beer.
The BPC now insists that the government lower the taxes on liquor imports to raise its sales which will bring more revenue to the exchequer.
Since tax rate on formal import is higher, bar owners prefer to bring liquor from illegal sources, thus depriving the government of revenue, the officials say.
Recently, parliamentary standing committee on civil aviation and tourism ministry recommended that the ministry sit with finance division and revenue board to lower tax incidences on liquor imports.
The authorities should keep in mind the role of the tourism sector in propelling the economic growth of the country, it said.
According to sources, the ministry has convened an inter-ministerial meeting for August 30 with intent to lower the taxes.
A senior BPC official told the FE on Wednesday that narcotics control department recently enacted a new alcohol policy, creating scope to set up increased numbers of bars countrywide.
He, however, said the new rules might not ease availability of alcohol to customers unless liquor prices are brought down by lowering taxes.
Another official says the import price of a beer, Heineken, is 92 US cents. But it becomes $7.0 at consumer level when 345-per cent taxes are added.
On the other hand, locally-produced beer, Hunter, sells at Tk 280 after adding 35-per cent duty and taxes on its selling price.
The BPC insists that big differences of duty and taxes between foreign and local beers need to be lowered to some extent.
BPC officials, however, does not look optimistic about the possibility of lowering taxes as the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is not in favour of the move.
"The NBR wants to enhance revenue collection, thus not accepting our plea," says a BPC official.
When the BPC imports alcohol in bulk volume from global market, it gets at cheap rates.
But revenue officials do not consider the prices mentioned in the letters of credit (LCs), rather get the real prices on the internet searched by a market-monitoring committee.
As a result, he says, the BPC is forced to pay additional taxes than the real import price.
The BPC in the next meeting will request the revenue board to resolve the issue.
In fiscal year 2021-22, the BPC imported alcohol and cigarette worth $0.7 million, down from $1.1 million in the previous year.
Covid-linked disruptions, which created trouble in the movement of foreigners and goods in the last couple of years, have lowered imports, comments another official.
A senior official at the ministry concerned tells the FE that higher import tariffs are putting the BPC's business in a tight corner.
He says NBR officials will join the meeting from where a positive result is expected.
BPC chairman Md Ali Kadar could not be reached for comment despite attempts.
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