NBR issues 25,000 online bond permissions in 2.5 months as automation takes hold

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued nearly 25,000 utilisation permissions online through the Customs Bond Management System over the last two and a half months, NBR said in a press release today (24 March).

The revenue authority launched the automated bond management software on 1 January 2025 to provide online services to bonded warehouse licensees and enhance trade facilitation, and made it mandatory on 1 January this year.

Through this system, bonded warehouse beneficiary institutions obtain utilisation permissions online from the respective Customs Bond Commissionerates, based on approved input–output coefficients for duty-free imported raw materials.

Utilisation permission allows export-oriented businesses to import raw materials duty-free for use in producing goods for export.

To facilitate online verification of import- and export-related documents, the Customs Bond Management System (CBMS) software has been integrated with the Bangladesh Bank's online system through an Application Programming Interface (API), the release said.

As a result of the online utilisation permission issuance system, bonded warehouse licence-holding industrial institutions no longer need to physically visit Customs Bond Commissionerates to obtain permissions.

According to the press release, the NBR has already achieved important progress in providing all utilisation permission issuance services online through CBMS. 

From 1 January to 16 March, a total of 24,963 utilisation permissions have been issued online through the three Customs Bond Commissionerates, the release added.

To make online utilisation permission services more user-friendly and seamless, the NBR is working closely with all stakeholders, including bonded warehouse licence-holding institutions, Bangladesh Bank, the Duty Exemption and Drawback Office, and the e-utilisation declaration systems of BGMEA and BKMEA.

The NBR believes that online utilisation permission services through CBMS are saving significant time and costs for bonded warehouse beneficiary industrial institutions, contributing to a more dynamic export trade and creating a favourable investment environment in the country.

As part of efforts to modernise customs administration and ensure transparency and efficiency, the NBR is committed to gradually bringing all bonded warehouse management services, including bond audits, under full automation to strengthen trade facilitation activities, said the press release.