Dhaka: The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has announced an exemption from excise duty on air tickets for Bangladeshi pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj in 2026. This decision aims to alleviate the financial burden on Hajj aspirants in the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a notification issued on December 7 by the NBR states that this exemption aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to maintain Hajj expenses at a reasonable level, thereby making the pilgrimage more accessible to ordinary devotees. This initiative mirrors a similar measure that was implemented for the 2025 Hajj.
The NBR indicates that this waiver will result in a reduction of approximately Tk 5,000 in airfare costs for each pilgrim’s round-trip journey between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.