Under a new move, which will likely be introduced in the upcoming national budget for FY2024-25, no one will be able to importfresh or brand-new mobile setswith duty-free facilities as the government aims to boost the local mobile manufacturing industry, reduce unauthorised sets at cheaper costs and check smuggling.
If the move is implemented, a person will be able to bring a maximum of two used mobile phonesduty-free and carry a fresh phone with clearing duty.
Currently, a duty-free facility is given for the items [two mobile phones and all other items not more than one of each item] contained under Schedule 3 of the Baggage Rules.
A person may become subject to clear Tk 5,000 for a mobile phone worth lower than Tk 30,000, Tk 10,000 for a phone worth more than Tk 30,000-60,000, and Tk 25,000 for a phone with a price tag of more than Tk 60,000.
At present, around 95 per cent of mobile sets are manufactured and assembled within this country, and this market size is around Tk 15,000 crore.
According to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission data, 4.145 million mobile phones were assembled and manufactured in January 2022. This fell to 1.892 million in January this year, a reduction of about 54 per cent due to higher VAT, grey market and smuggling.
In terms of imports, 61,891 mobile phones were imported in January 2022 and only 5,050 in January this year — which shows a decrease of about 92 per cent.
Amidst such a crisis, the ongoing tax break facility for mobile manufacturers may extend for another two years from June this year to June 2026.
Moreover, no one will be able to carry 24-carat gold as the import trend of rough-design raw gold from the Middle East has increased in recent times.
Amid such a situation, the government may amend the definition of gold ornaments as 22-carat gold or lower-grade ornaments.
Also, from FY25, a passenger aged under12 may not get any import facility under the Baggage Rules.
