Ban on import of several products from India, Nepal, and Bhutan
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has announced a ban on the import of several products from India, Nepal, and Bhutan, alongside imposing restrictions on items such as yarn, powdered milk, tobacco, newsprint, various types of paper, and paperboard.
The directive was issued through a gazette notification published on Sunday (April 13) and formally announced by the NBR on Tuesday (April 15).
This decision was made under the authority of Section 8(1) of the Customs Act, 2023.
According to the notification, all products produced and processed in Nepal and Bhutan, except for yarn and potatoes, can still be imported into Bangladesh.
However, a more extensive ban has been imposed on imports from India, targeting specific goods to safeguard domestic industries.
List of banned products from India
The following items are now prohibited from being imported from India:
- Duplex board, newsprint, craft paper, cigarette paper
- Fish, yarn, potatoes, powdered milk, and tobacco
- Radio-TV parts, bicycle and motor parts
- Formica sheets, ceramic ware, sanitary ware, stainless steel ware
- Marble slabs and tiles, mixed fabrics
Notably, VAT-registered bidi manufacturing industries have been granted permission to import tobacco stalks as raw material.
Amendments to previous notifications
The new notification also amends certain serial numbers of the previously issued SRO 297-Law/2024/89/Customs.
While updating the list of restricted products, the notification continues to allow the import of all exportable products from Nepal and Bhutan, excluding the newly banned items.
Objective behind the ban
According to customs sources, the primary goal of this ban is to protect local industries and prevent illegal practices such as re-export or rerouting of goods.
The move aims to enhance the competitiveness of domestic industries, particularly in sectors like textiles, paper, and ceramic products, which have been identified as vulnerable to foreign competition.
