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File specific complaints about harassment at customs: NBR

Staff Correspondent
26 Jan 2022 00:00:00 | Update: 26 Jan 2022 00:04:03
File specific complaints about harassment at customs: NBR
Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem

Traders facing any kind of harassment at customs houses must file specific complaints with the National Board of Revenue, because there is no point in making generalised allegations, NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference in the capital’s revenue building, held to mark the International Customs Day 2022 set to be observed on Wednesday, he added, “Inform us when and where the harassment is taking place, and we will take action in this regard.

“Traders are complaining to journalists and relevant associations. But they should file the complaints with us, otherwise, how will we know that they have a problem?”

He continued, “Traders complain that their goods get stuck in customs houses, but what is the reason behind it? Are they fulfilling the criteria for releasing their goods?

“Maybe, for releasing a particular import, a trader should have secured clearances from the Atomic Energy Commission or the Department of Environment, but they might not have obtained it.”

Muneem then said, “It is not that we do not have irregularities. One or two of our officers may have made mistakes or acted irregularly, but traders should file specific complaints with us, and see whether we are taking any actions or not.”

The Anti-Corruption Commission recently asked the NBR to take steps for ensuring that doctors’ are paying an accurate amount of taxes based on their income. Commenting on the issue, the revenue board chief said, “This move should be implemented by the health ministry.

“The revenue board cannot force the doctors to provide receipts. Enforcing the move will not be a good step. The ACC should have approached the Ministry of Health for this. We can forward the recommendation to the health department.”

Speaking on the occasion, NBR member (Customs Policy) Masud Sadiq said, “The Chattogram Custom House witnesses nearly 10,000 bills of entry every day. Of these, around 5,000 are related to exports, and at least 2,000 are for imports.

“There may be a delay in releasing these 2,000 shipments. Apart from the products, many types of certificates have to be submitted too. Anyone can complain if they suffer from issues.”

In response to another query, the NBR chief said, “We will cover any possible revenue shortfall from customs duty through internal VAT and tax collection following Bangladesh’s LDC graduation.

He added, “We are preparing for the intense competition that we will have to face regarding imports and exports after LDC graduation. A committee, led by the principal secretary to the prime minister, has been formed to tackle these challenges.

“Many sub-committees have been formed as well, and they are working on the matter too.”

The NBR – along with customs departments of 183 member countries of the World Customs Organisation – will observe the International Customs Day 2022 on Wednesday with the theme “Scaling up Custom’s Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem.”

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