DHAKA, Mar 24 (V7N) – The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued nearly 25,000 utilisation permissions (UPs) online through its Customs Bond Management System (CBMS) over the past two and a half months, marking a significant leap towards automation and improved trade facilitation.

According to an NBR press release on Tuesday, a total of 24,963 UPs were issued between January 1 and March 16 this year by three Customs Bond Commissionerates after the CBMS software became mandatory for all UP-related services. The platform, introduced on January 1, 2025, allows bonded warehouse licence holders to access services entirely online, eliminating the need for physical visits to customs offices.

Utilisation permissions are crucial for bonded warehouse facilities, enabling them to use duty-free imported raw materials in line with approved input-output coefficients by the Duty Exemption and Drawback Office (DEDO). The system has been integrated with Bangladesh Bank’s online platform through an Application Programming Interface (API), speeding up the process and ensuring greater transparency.

The transition to online services has notably reduced in-person interactions, saving time and costs for industrial enterprises operating under bonded warehouse facilities. The NBR expressed that the move towards full digitalisation of UP services has been a significant step in modernising customs administration, contributing to increased operational efficiency and strengthening the country’s export trade.

Officials also highlighted ongoing collaboration with stakeholders, including bonded warehouse licence holders, Bangladesh Bank, and trade organisations like BGMEA and BKMEA, to further enhance the system's efficiency and user-friendliness.

Looking ahead, the NBR is focused on fully automating all bonded warehouse management services, including bond audits, as part of its broader goal to improve trade facilitation and ensure the transparency and efficiency of customs operations. The authority is optimistic that these efforts will improve the investment climate in Bangladesh and boost the country’s export capabilities.

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