The government is set to introduce major changes to the baggage rules for returning overseas travellers, including restricting the duty-free import of gold to just once per year. Currently, passengers may bring in gold multiple times a year, but under the new proposal, this will be limited to a single occasion annually. Additionally, anyone carrying over $10,000 must now declare the amount using a prescribed form.

Several other outdated or unnecessary items will also be removed from the list of permissible imports under baggage allowances.

These changes are expected to be incorporated into the upcoming FY2025–26 national budget, according to sources at the Ministry of Finance and the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Gold Imports: Tightened Limits

Under the existing policy, travellers may bring in 100g of gold ornaments or 200g of silver ornaments duty-free, as many times as they wish throughout the year. Furthermore, they can import gold bars weighing up to 117g (around 10 tolas) by paying Tk4,000 per tola in duty.

The new proposal would limit this facility to once a year. A senior official from the Finance Ministry explained that a traveller can currently bring in gold worth up to Tk2.5 million annually, which complicates efforts to maintain transparency in foreign exchange and contributes to smuggling. In some instances, the imported gold ends up being trafficked out of the country again.

NBR and Jewellers Disagree

Field-level officials at the NBR have expressed concern over the implementation, noting that no reliable database exists for tracking ornamental gold imports.

On the other hand, the Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (BAJUS) argues that such restrictions will not curb smuggling. Instead, they suggest allowing at least four trips a year. The BAJUS general secretary stated, “There is no direct link between baggage rules and smuggling.”

A Move to Protect Dollar Reserves?

Dr Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), believes the government’s move is aimed at preserving foreign reserves and boosting dollar inflows. “If expatriates send remittances in cash rather than gold, it benefits the government,” he told Kaler Kantho.

Abdul Mannan Patwary, a former NBR member, added that most expatriates visit only once a year, so the restriction would mainly impact frequent commercial travellers who exploit the rules to bring in large quantities of gold.

Shrinking Baggage Allowances

Currently, travellers entering via land ports may import duty-free goods worth up to $400 three times per year. This will be reduced to once a year. Additionally, under the unaccompanied baggage (U-baggage) system, travellers under 12 years can bring in up to 100kg of goods, while those over 12 may bring in up to 40kg.

Proposals also include scrapping import allowances for obsolete or unnecessary items such as cassette players, Discmans, typewriters, Walkmans, fax machines, 19” LCD monitors, and push-button phones.

Items That Can Be Brought Duty-Free

Desktop/laptop computers, Scanners and printers, Video and digital cameras, Toasters, blenders and juicers, Pressure cookers and gas ovens, Electric sewing machines, Table and ceiling fans, TVs up to 29”, One carton of cigarettes, 15 square metres of carpet, Baby carriages, strollers, Calculators, General CDs, Speakers (up to 4)

Items Allowed with Duty

TVs (30–66+ inches): Tk10,000–90,000, Home theatres (more than 4 speakers): Tk8,000, Mobile phones: Tk5,000–25,000 (based on value), Refrigerators/deep freezers: Tk4,000–15,000, Air conditioners (window/split): Tk7,000–20,000, Professional cameras: Tk15,000, Airguns/rifles: Tk5,000, Washing machines, ovens, chandeliers: Tk2,000–6,000 (depending on type)

These new regulations aim to control foreign exchange use, ensure better transparency, and curb misuse of the baggage allowance system.