Dhaka: The National Board of Revenue (NBR) announced a significant reduction in customs duty on imported mobile phones, cutting the rate by 60 percent to make handsets more affordable amid rising living costs. The decision, effective from Tuesday, aims to keep mobile phones within the purchasing capacity of consumers.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the customs duty on imported finished mobile phones has been reduced from 25 percent to 10 percent. This move is intended to ensure that mobile phones remain accessible to the general public and to promote wider access to digital services. To protect domestic mobile phone assembling companies, the NBR also lowered the duty on raw materials and components used by local assemblers from 10 percent to 5 percent.
The NBR emphasized that these dual measures aim to balance consumer interests with the sustainability of the domestic mobile phone assembling industry. The revised duty structure is expected to cause a price drop of about Tk 5,500 for imported finished mobile phones priced above Tk 30,000, while locally assembled phones are anticipated to decrease by approximately Tk 1,500.
Mobile phones are crucial for communication, digital financial services, e-governance, and education, making affordability a key policy priority. The revenue authority reassured that the government’s efforts to keep mobile phone prices affordable align with its broader goal of promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to technology nationwide.
Bangladesh has also introduced the National Equipment Identity Register as a regulatory measure to curb the use and trade of illegal, counterfeit, and unregistered mobile handsets. This system, supervised by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, requires mobile phones to be registered via their unique International Mobile Equipment Identity number before accessing cellular networks.
Authorities assert that the platform will help block stolen or smuggled devices, reduce grey market imports, and ensure a fair market for compliant importers and manufacturers who pay applicable duties and taxes. However, the rollout has sparked protests from mobile phone traders, particularly small and medium retailers, who are concerned about potential business disruptions and new financial and administrative burdens. Protesters are calling for a longer transition period, clearer guidelines, amnesty for existing stock, and stronger public awareness campaigns before full enforcement.