Cap on mobile phone imports for personal use

The Bangladesh Teleco-mmunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has set the limit on the import of mobile phones through air routes for personal use.

Md Shahidul Alam, director-general of the spectrum division of the commission, confirmed the development.

According to the new decision, a maximum of two mobile handsets can be brought in through air route without securing any no-objection certificate from the BTRC.

For all handsets that are brought in through air shipment, the photocopy of the sender's passport (if applicable), the recipient's national identification card, and the receipt of the payment of duties must be submitted.

The vendor enlistment certificate has been made mandatory if more than two handsets are imported.

The regulator has sent a letter to the customs authorities to this effect.

About 1.5 crore mobile phones are imported every year to Bangladesh. Besides, two crore handsets are assembled locally.

At present, air travelers can carry eight handsets while arriving from abroad. Of them, two phones can be brought in free of charge and the rest by paying duties.

Currently, there are 17.41 crore mobile phone subscribers in the country.