Mobile phone prices are expected to decline after the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Tuesday (January 13) announced a major reduction in customs duties on handset imports, aiming to keep devices affordable amid rising living costs.
Under two separate statutory regulatory orders, the NBR reduced the customs duty on imported finished mobile phones by 60 percent, bringing it down from 25 percent to 10 percent.
The revenue authority said the move was intended to ensure wider public access to mobile phones, which are increasingly essential for communication, digital financial services, e-governance and education.
To prevent the duty cut from hurting domestic mobile phone assemblers, the NBR simultaneously lowered import duties on raw materials and components used by local assembling companies. In a separate notification, the duty on these inputs was reduced to 5 percent from the previous 10 percent.
According to the NBR, the twin measures are designed to balance consumer interests with the long-term viability of the local mobile phone assembling industry.
Officials estimate that the revised duty structure will lead to a price reduction of around Tk5,500 for imported finished mobile phones priced above Tk30,000. Locally assembled handsets in the same price range are expected to become cheaper by about Tk1,500.
The NBR said keeping mobile phones within consumers’ purchasing capacity remains a policy priority as the government pushes for greater digital inclusion and expanded access to technology nationwide.
Alongside the duty cuts, Bangladesh has also rolled out the National Equipment Identity Register as a regulatory measure to curb the use and trade of illegal, counterfeit and unregistered mobile phones. Implemented under the supervision of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, the system requires all handsets to be registered using their unique International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers before they can connect to cellular networks.
Authorities say the NEIR will help block stolen and smuggled devices, reduce grey market imports, improve network security and protect government revenue, while ensuring fair competition for compliant importers and manufacturers.
However, the introduction of the system has sparked protests by mobile phone traders in different parts of the country, particularly small and medium retailers. They argue that the new requirements could disrupt business and add financial and administrative pressure.
Protesters have called for a longer transition period, clearer operational guidelines, amnesty for existing stock and stronger public awareness efforts before full enforcement of the system.
