Although many things are clearly stated in the law, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) still issues clarifications when needed. These explanations are provided on various issues from time to time, but field-level officers often do not want to follow them. Such incidents occur frequently in customs houses.

Moreover, officers sometimes set inflated prices for imported goods. The price of a product should be determined based on its actual value. The NBR wants to move away from this practice of excessive valuation.

NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan made these remarks yesterday at the “Meet the Business” event organized at the NBR’s multipurpose hall in Agargaon, Dhaka, with members of the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Responding to complaints from business representatives, he acknowledged various problems and urged businesspeople to report any obstacles they face.

FICCI Executive Director T.I.M. Nurul Kabir, Director Md. Mahbubur Rahman, and 85 other FICCI members were present at the event.

The NBR Chairman said, “We have been working to make business operations easier. We issue clarifications as needed, but field-level officers often refuse to comply. This happens mostly in customs houses.”

Addressing the business community, he said, “Why should you tolerate this? If such incidents occur, please file complaints—either online or offline. We will investigate and take action.”

Regarding the complaints of inflated customs valuation from businesspeople, he said, “We also want to move away from the practice of overvaluation. Who told the officers to impose excessive valuations in the first place?”

Addressing the officers, Abdur Rahman said, “If anyone commits wrongdoing against others, action will be taken against them. Disciplinary measures have already been taken against several officials involved in irregularities.”

In response to a question from Md. Sharif, a representative of Marico Bangladesh, the NBR Chairman said, “We no longer grant tax exemptions. That authority has now been transferred to Parliament, which has reduced a lot of pressure on us.”

Daraz representative Hasibul Quddus demanded that the VAT for sellers on Facebook and offline platforms be set at 15 percent. In reply, the NBR Chairman said, “Many retailers still do not register for VAT. So far, only about six lakh (600,000) have registered.”

A representative from Coca-Cola remarked that due to the heavy tax burden, their profit margins are negligible. In response, the NBR Chairman said, “There is significant pressure from the health sector regarding tobacco and beverages.”

The main purpose of the meeting, he added, was to hear directly from businesspeople about the problems they face related to duties, taxes, and customs operations. Although such complaints are often made individually at different times, this meeting allowed business representatives to present their concerns directly to top NBR officials.