NBR moves to make Bond Automation System compulsory after tiral

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is set to make the use of its Bond Automation System compulsory after nearly 10 months of trial implementation, as authorities believe mandatory adoption is essential to fully realise the intended efficiency, transparency and facilitation benefits for export-oriented industries.

The update came during the third phase of the ‘Meet the Business’ stakeholder consultation on the ‘Bond Automation System – UP Module’ held  on Sunday with representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB).

The session was chaired by the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) M Abdur Rahman.

Speaking at the event, the NBR chairman noted that despite multiple operational challenges faced by both officials and industry users, the automation module has been functioning live since January 2025.

Throughout the last 10 months, the system has been running both online and offline, allowing stakeholders to gradually adapt and provide feedback, he said.

“We have repeatedly received concerns and challenges from the industry, and we have made continuous efforts to address them,” he said.

“We believe that unless the use of this automation system is made compulsory, the core objective of improved bond management and reduced procedural complexities will not be achieved.”

Abdur Rahman emphasised that several manufacturers and exporters have already been operating successfully using the online module which demonstrates that the system is functional and ready for wider enforcement.

The NBR chairman said it now considers the platform sufficiently stable to move from a voluntary to a mandatory adoption stage.

During the meeting, industry representatives were invited to share their practical experience, highlighting both advantages and limitations.

The NBR officials also delivered a technical presentation outlining operational readiness and future workflow plans.

The authorities further informed that once consensus is reached on the final set of recommendations, the NBR will announce a clear implementation roadmap specifying what will be done, when it will come into force, and who will be responsible for each stage of execution.

“We aim to reach a collective agreement today, and based on that we will officially declare the timeline for making the module compulsory,” the Chairman said.