NBR sets new rule for local mobile phone production, assembly

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has made a new rule for mobile phone makers in the country that will require them to register as manufacturers with, or get permission from (depending on the situation), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) or Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) or Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.

Besides, mobile phone assemblers in the country must be licenced by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and obtain registration, or get permission (depending on the situation), from BIDA or BEZA or Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.

The NBR on January 4 issued a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) in this regard signed by its Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem.

The SRO said it was the correction of some sections of another SRO published on June 30, 2019.

The previous SRO said to import mobile phone equipment or locally produce phones, subject to compliance with the conditions at the import stage, the total value added tax, excluding advance tax, will be levied on manufacturers or assemblers, subject to compliance with the conditions for local production only.

Assemblers will be exempted from paying additional value added tax, if it is more than 3 per cent, subject to fulfilling conditions only for local production.

An official of the NBR told The Business Post the SRO had been issued to prevent illegal imports of such products.

“Accountability will be ensured if the producer registers with, or obtains permission from, more than one government agency.”