Govt decides to exempt excise duty on 2026 Hajj air tickets

The advisory council of the interim government on Thursday approved a proposal to exempt excise duty on air tickets for Bangladeshi pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj in 2026, in a bid to reduce the overall cost of the pilgrimage.

According to official sources, the Ministry of Religious Affairs requested the issuance of an order to waive the excise duty on air tickets for Hajj 2026 pilgrims.

Bangladesh, currently the fourth-largest sender of Hajj pilgrims in the world, has been taking various measures to make Hajj more affordable for its citizens.

A review of the matter shows that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) earlier granted full exemption from excise duty on air tickets for Hajj 2025 under a special order. Following that precedent, a similar exemption is now being considered for 2026.

Officials said the move aligns with the government's broader initiative to reduce Hajj expenses and facilitate the participation of more devout Muslims. The proposal cites the Tax Expenditure Policy and Management Framework (TEPMF), which allows the finance minister or finance adviser, with the approval of the cabinet or advisory council, to grant temporary tax exemptions in the greater public interest.

Under the TEPMF, a draft notification has been prepared and submitted to the advisory council for policy and final approval.

A senior official at the VAT Wing said the NBR will issue a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) soon to make the exemption effective.

The finance adviser has already approved the summary of the notification and consented to its presentation before the advisory council meeting. Upon approval, the notification will be vetted by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs before formal issuance.

Officials expressed hope that the decision will significantly lower Hajj expenses in 2026 and make the pilgrimage more accessible to the public.

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