The Chairman of the National Board of Revenue, M Abdur Rahman, announced Sunday that the Customs Bond Management System will become fully automated and compulsory from December 1, subject to final system readiness.
It is set to be a landmark in the shift towards digital governance, transparency and efficiency in bond management operations across the country.
Speaking at the “Meet the Business” programme at Revenue Building in Dhaka, the NBR chairman said the era of manual, paper-based procedures must come to an end, if Bangladesh is to reduce system inefficiencies, eliminate misuse of resources, and improve service delivery for compliant businesses.
According to him, tasks that can be completed digitally within seconds should not require stakeholders to spend several days travelling between offices, submitting documents and following up repeatedly.
He said all 12 modules under the bond automation programme are being integrated at speed and the NBR is committed to completing the remaining technical alignment as soon as possible.
The chairman stated that if the entire system passes readiness tests before 1 December, automation will become mandatory from that date; however, if additional days are required due to technical issues, implementation may be extended by a maximum of one week.
Abdur Rahman informed that three batches of relevant bond users and officials like Revenue Officers and Assistant Revenue Officers will receive complete training prior to the enforcement date to avoid confusion or excuses relating to a lack of system-related knowledge.
He emphasised that the training will be arranged by the project’s designated team rather than software developers, so that development and troubleshooting activities continue uninterrupted.
“If the Revenue Officers and Assistant Revenue Officers fail to cope up with the training, they will no longer be needed in the NBR,” he warned.
The NBR chairman also highlighted the importance of fairness in regulatory conduct.
He noted that compliant business entities should not be subjected to blanket suspicion or administrative pressure because of a minority involved in misuse, tax evasion or irregular activities.
According to him, the new digital system will improve traceability and accountability, enabling authorities to identify individual offenders without inconveniencing compliant taxpayers.
He further raised concerns about the high level of business transactions using cash, describing it as a major challenge for transparency and documentation.
He said businesses often present higher transactions to banks when seeking loans, but declare significantly lower volumes to tax authorities, which creates discrepancies and weakens the tax system.
To address this, he encouraged more transactions through formal banking channels, preferably using Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), and added that any such transactions can be accepted as valid evidence if made through secure banking systems.
Referring to long-term audit-related pressure on businesses, he acknowledged that sudden high-value tax demands covering multiple years can create an unbearable shock for exporters. He suggested that audit requirements could be phased in a more rational and periodic manner so that compliance pressure becomes manageable while still remaining legally sound.
Addressing potential concerns about initial system errors, Abdur Rahman said it is normal for any new digital platform to face minor glitches at the beginning.
He requested patience from stakeholders and urged them to report problems instead of repeatedly attempting the same function, as technical teams would work continuously to resolve issues centrally.
The NBR Chairman added that sustainable expertise within the bond administration cadre is essential for smooth service delivery, and unnecessary or routine transfers of specially trained officials should be avoided unless performance-related reasons are clearly justified.
He said that the NBR is fully committed to completing the automation process as quickly as possible and expects that a formal circular announcing the mandatory use of the digital Customs Bond Management System will be issued soon.
The initiative is expected to reduce harassment, promote transparency, strengthen compliance culture, safeguard revenue, and enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in global trade.
Representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Garments Accessories & Packaging Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGAPMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and Leathergoods And Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) also spoke at the programme.
They shared their various problems in the meeting, which the NBR chairman resolved with speed and efficiency.