Businesses Unhappy with Taxes on Non-Profitable Ventures, Says NBR Chief

Speaking at a seminar for International Customs Day 2026, the Chairman noted that regular taxpayers often feel unfairly pressured to contribute more. He admitted that revenue management is a challenging task where balancing the government’s financial needs with taxpayer satisfaction is nearly impossible.

Mr. Khan further remarked that while tariff rates are high, most complaints from the business community are directed toward the quality of service delivery rather than the tax rates themselves. During the event, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman emphasized that the focus of customs should shift from mere revenue collection to trade facilitation. He also criticized the practice of 100% baggage scanning at airports, suggesting that Bangladesh should adopt more efficient global screening standards.

To encourage compliance and efficiency, the NBR awarded the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certificate to nine organizations, granting them expedited customs processing. Additionally, 17 officials received the World Customs Organization’s Certificate of Merit for their outstanding contributions to the sector.