The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is going to launch the e-payment system for payment of customs duty on import and export product invoices that exceed Taka 2 lakh at all customs houses, from July 1, 2021.
The revenue board has made it mandatory from next January to make e payment of all customs duty against import and export invoices, said a press release of the NBR on Monday. The customs wing in a recent meeting made the decision to request the authorities of Chattogram, Mongla as well as other land ports to collect their charges and fees through using its online platform, an official of the NBR said.
"We’ve recently decided to make e payment of customs duty mandatory from next July if the duty crosses Taka 2 lakh. From next January, e payment method will be followed in paying all kinds of customs duty,” official added.
In the first six months from July to December, e-payment has to be made only if the duty is more than Taka 2 lakh. After six months, there will be no limit for payment of duty and tax through e-payment. From January 1 next year, all the traders must pay all duties and taxes irrespective of amounts online, he also informed.
In the e-payment system, payments can be made directly from the bank account of the importer or clearing and forwarding (C&F) agent through Sonali Bank to the Government Treasury through Bangladesh Bank (BB).
The NBR has already conducted a pilot programme of mandatory e-payment at the Inland Container Depot at Kamalapur since April 1.
Sonali Bank will ensure uninterrupted e-payment facility through their application programming interface (API), in case of closure of RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) to facilitate the exporters and importers to pay their duties and taxes online 24 hours.
The NBR has requested the BB to bring all scheduled banks under the RTGS system and implement the e-payment facilities to facilitate the importers and exporters to pay duties and taxes online through using their respective bank accounts.
The official said the NBR will integrate the Business Identification Number (BIN) or VAT registration number with the e-payment system to thwart VAT evasion by the traders.
Traders will receive e-payment notifications in their more than one mobile number and also in their email addresses.
The existing pre-payment system of duties and charges for export, bond facility, express courier and de-minimise consignments would be expanded at all customs houses and stations under the Asycuda World system.
The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) is a computerized system designed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva to administer a country's customs. ASYCUDA covers most foreign trade procedures and is used by over 90 countries worldwide.
