EPB raises fees for exporter services, forms

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has increased fees for all services provided to exporters, effective from today. 

The changes, outlined in a notification issued yesterday, include a 50% rise in the cost of export-related forms and increased charges for GSP registration, renewal, and certificate issuance for both textile and non-textile products.

The fee adjustments range from a minimum increase of Tk100 to a maximum of Tk3,000.

Exporters have expressed concerns, stating the increases do not align with efforts to reduce business costs.

Fazlul Haque, former president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said, "The fee increases are relatively small compared to overall export costs, but as a non-commercial organisation, the EPB should refrain from raising fees. This could encourage similar increases from other agencies."

EPB Vice Chairman Md Anwar Hossain explained the fee adjustments were necessary due to rising operational costs, including increased paper prices.

"Fees had not been adjusted since 2014 and the current increases were deemed necessary after careful review by the EPB board," he added.

Key fee changes

GSP certificate issuance has been increased from Tk500 to Tk600, with a Tk500 fee for applications processed after 24 hours. Certificates of Origin (SAPTA, SAFTA, China, Korea, Chile, etc) have been increased by Tk100. 

Textile product registration has been increased from Tk5,000 to Tk7,500, and textile product registration renewal from Tk3,000 to Tk4,000.

Non-textile product registration has been increased from Tk2,000 to Tk5,000, and non-textile product registration renewal from Tk1,000 to Tk3,000. 

Preferential Certificate of Origin forms (GSP, SAFTA, etc) have been increased from Tk200 to Tk300. 

A 15% VAT will be added to all fees, states the EPB notice.

According to the notice, exporters are required to obtain these registrations and certificates to export goods. 

The EPB projects issuing 90,000 GSP certificates and 140,000 Certificates of Origin in the current fiscal year, aiming for Tk11 crore in revenue, are consistent with the previous year's earnings.