EPZ exporters must have EP data in ASYCUDA from January 23

Keeping export permit (EP) data in Bangladesh Customs’ ASYCUDA World system is set to become compulsory for export-oriented companies located in the export processing zones (EPZs) from next week.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) recently directed authorities concerned to take necessary steps to this end.

Under the directive, EPZ exporters will not be able to complete taxation unless information related to their export permits, issued by Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), is kept in the computerised customs management system from January 23.

The exporters already follow a similar process from the submission of bills of entry for raw material imports since September 14 last, when the integration of Bepza and Asycuda was completed.

Because of the integration, information relating to import permits (IPs) issued by Bepza can easily be exchanged between these two government entities.

According to customs officials, export-oriented companies located in EPZs can import goods through a one-stop-service which gets clearance through nominal scrutiny.

Before the integration of Bepza and Asycuda, the same import permit (IP) or EP could be used to complete the submission of several bills of entry and make illegal imports evading the eyes of authorities.

They also said previously, the IP of Bepza would be uploaded onto the organisation’s website, from where customs officials had to verify the information manually. But now, officials can see the import or export permission data in their Asycuda system and can easily prevent the use of fake IPs.

Customs officials also added they detected many incidents of hacking user ID and password at different times.

Besides, incidents of restricted or banned products’ import, money laundering, smuggling, duty evasion, abuse of bonded-warehouse facilities have been detected by analysing the irregularities in different customs houses.