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Published : 06 Jun 2025, 01:07 AM
Passengers arriving in Bangladesh can now bring one new mobile phone per year without paying any duty or tax, the interim government has announced.
Previously, returning expatriates were allowed to bring in two used phones and one new handset, but the latter was subject to duty and tax.
Under the revised rules, they may still bring two used devices and now also one new phone annually, free of any import charges.
The change, announced in the proposed budget for FY2025-26, was formalised via a government notification on Jun 4. It will take effect 30 days from the date of issuance.
At present, travellers must pay Tk 5,000 in duty and tax for new phones valued up to Tk 30,000.
For phones priced between Tk 30,000 and Tk 60,000, the tax is Tk 10,000, and for those over Tk 60,000, the charge is Tk 25,000.
If a new phone is not declared, customs authorities may confiscate it.
KEY CHANGES TO BAGGAGE RULES
• Mandatory Cash Declaration: Travellers must now declare if they are carrying over $10,000 in cash, up from the previous $5,000 threshold. The declaration must be made using a prescribed form.
• Import Restrictions: Several outdated or obsolete items have been removed from the list of permissible imports. These include cassette players, Discmans, typewriters, Walkmans, fax machines, 19-inch LCD monitors, and push-button phones.
• Reduced Allowance at Land Ports: Duty-free allowances for goods brought in through land ports have been curtailed. Travellers may now claim this allowance only once a year, down from three times.
• Unaccompanied Baggage Allowance: The new rules maintain the right to bring up to 100 kg of goods for children under 12, and 40 kg for those aged 12 or older under the unaccompanied baggage scheme.
Travellers may still import the following items without paying duty:
Desktop/laptop computers, scanners, printers, video and digital cameras, toasters, blenders, juicers, pressure cookers, gas ovens, electric sewing machines, table or ceiling fans, 29-inch televisions, one carton of cigarettes, 15 square metres of carpet, baby carriages or strollers, calculators, CDs, and four audio speaker components.
ITEMS ALLOWED DUTY-FREE
Dutiable items include:
• Televisions (30–66 inches): Tk 10,000–Tk 90,000
• Home theatres (more than four speakers): from Tk 8,000
• Mobile phones: Tk 5,000–Tk 25,000
• Fridges/deep freezers: Tk 4,000–Tk 15,000
• Air conditioners (window/split): Tk 7,000–Tk 20,000
• Professional cameras: from Tk 15,000
• Air guns/rifles: from Tk 5,000
• Washing machines, ovens, chandeliers, and similar household items: Tk 2,000–Tk 6,000, depending on type
NEW RESTRICTION ON GOLD IMPORTS
The government has also imposed a restriction on gold imports.
Under the new rules, passengers may bring in up to 117 grams (10 bhori) of gold bars or ingots only once a year.
Previously, individuals could import this amount multiple times annually by paying a set duty.
