Dhaka: Import and export customs clearance in Bangladesh will require the mandatory submission of certificates, licenses, and permits (CLP) through the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) system for seven government entities starting February 1. The government has announced that manual CLP submissions will no longer be accepted for these agencies after January 31, 2025, as stated in a notification by the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the directive affects seven organizations: the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the Department of Explosives (DoEX), the Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (BNACWC), the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), and the Department of Environment (DoE). The BSW system, implemented by the NBR, is an online platform designed to streamline the process of CLP applications and processing.
Importers and exporters can register on the BSW platform using their business identification number (BIN) and submit all necessary documents digitally, as noted in the notification. The government has highlighted several benefits of this system, including enhanced transparency and accountability due to minimal human interaction, significant reductions in time and cost for trade activities, and improved trust among domestic and international businesses. Necessary procedures will be done online simultaneously by all the concerned agencies.
Initially, this phase includes seven out of the 19 CLP-issuing organizations.