Emphasis on submitting documents of imported goods within three days

The customs authorities on Tuesday urged businessmen to submit documents for their imported goods within 72 hours (3-day) after import.

Khondaker Muhammad Aminur Rahman, customs member (audit, modernisation and international trade) came up with the request in a programme organised by the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at its auditorium, reports UNB.

The loading and unloading of goods would be boosted after the implementation of the act, he insisted.

“We will incorporate a provision imposing penalty if the bills of entry are not submitted within the 72 hours of import,” said Aminur adding that “Investment would be disrupted unless the country’s trading process is improved.”

He said several initiatives have been taken to reform and simplify trading across the borders aiming to raise country’s business index indicator of World Bank (WB).

Currently, importers need 10 days to submit the bills of entry in the customs port causing unusual delay for loading and unloading the commodities which has instigated National Board of Revenue (NBR) to take initiative to amend the Customs Act.

SM Humayun Kabir, commissioner of Customs bond Commissionerate, IFC’s Private Sector Specialist Nusrat Nahid, ERF General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam and Customs Modernisation First Secretary AAM Amimul Ehsan Khan also spoke among others.