Faster Release of Goods
NBR to introduce green channels at ports
The National Board of Revenue has decided to introduce green channels at ports to release export-import goods without major supervision of customs authorities in a bid to facilitate international trade, officials of the NBR said. They said only authorised economic operators would be able to release their goods through green channels which would help traders reduce their time and cost for clearance of goods.
The revenue board has already drafted an action plan and formed a team headed by an NBR member (customs) to implement the AEO systems very soon at the sea, air and land ports.
‘According to NBR plan, the pilot stage of the AEO programme will be implemented by 2014 under which the NBR will select few business houses as the AEOs,’ an NBR high official involved with the process told New Age on Saturday.
Based on their performance, the NBR will make the system fully operational by next year, he said.
The revenue board is now doing consultation with the business community including trade bodies, chambers, freight forwarders, shipping agents and providing customs officials with trainings to make them prepared for the new system, he added.
The revenue board will provide the AEO certificates for using green channels to those who comply with World Customs Organisation’s supply chain security standards.
Usually, manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers, carriers, port authorities and terminal operators with good compliance records get AEO certificates from the customs authorities and the operators are exempted from ordinary controls and enjoy flexible customs procedures.
The AEOs could release their goods from ports within few hours amid less physical supervision of customs authorities as the AEOs carry out self assessment of goods and incorporate pre-determined security measures into their existing business practices, the NBR officials said.
Customs officials will only conduct paper-based supervision of goods, they said adding that the AEOs would be able to submit their bill of entry and pay duties through automated system.
After introduction of the system, competitiveness of Bangladeshi businesses will increase through reduction of cost and time in clearance of goods.
The NBR is going to introduce the system following SAFF Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade incorporated in 2005.
The AEOs will also get the benefits in WCO member countries agreed to allow the AEOs mutually.
Currently, around 30 countries including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and India from Asia are following the system.
-With New Age input
