Container imports to be duty-free

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has proposed a duty-free facility for containers carrying import and export goods in 2023-24 fiscal year.

At present, the businesses have to pay 15 percent customs duty for import of these containers, but today the finance minister in his budget speech proposed giving a full exemption to them.

Now, the importers have to spend a huge amount of US dollar on container rental for import and export of goods every year.

According to the NBR sources, foreign companies control the entire container business, although Bangladeshi flagged ships are going to international sea routes.

About 30-35 lakh containers are used to transport import and export goods every year and traders rent these containers at $100 to $150 considering their destination distance.