NBR fixes transit, transhipment fees

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has set fees for transhipment and transit of goods from neighbouring countries, as Bangladesh is getting ready to offer the service.
The related statutory regulatory order (SRO) was issued on Thursday while the finance minister was saying in his budget speech that the next budget pays attention to boosting regional and sub-regional cooperation with neighbouring countries -- India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China.
He also highlighted opening up Bangladesh's ports for transhipment and transit of goods from India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
The fees will be Tk 10,000 per TEU container if the cargo is transported by road or rail in such containers; and Tk 1,000 per tonne of cargo if transported by covered vans or trucks, or in bulk by non-container ships and trains.
The SRO titled "Rules for Customs Management of Commodities in Transhipment and Transit 2010" will go into effect on July 1.
The move comes in line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's commitment to provide transit and transhipment facility to neighbouring India as part of regional cooperation.
Providing such facilities to Nepal and Bhutan is also under consideration. However, no formal agreement has yet been signed with any country in that regard.
NBR officials said the fees were fixed in advance to expedite the service when agreements will be signed.
The circular says controlled items like arms and ammunition, alcoholic drinks and narcotics, endangered species of plants and animals, and other commodities with a ban on their import will not be allowed for transhipment or transit.
Officers of Bangladesh customs must know, and will have the authority to check what goods are being transhipped or in transit, the SRO specifies.
Wherever the Bangladesh authorities have the goods scanning facility, at those entry points the goods must be scanned. Customs commissioners will also be authorised to carry out physical examination of the goods through random samplings, the SRO adds.