The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued the Shipping Agent Licensing Rules, 2025 to ensure transparency, competition, and accountability in issuing shipping agent licences across Bangladesh’s sea and river ports.
The rules were notified on 30 December 2025, says a press release.
Previously, no specific regulation governed shipping agent licences. These were issued under the Customs Agent Licensing Rules, 2020. The new rules aim to simplify procedures and make operations more efficient and business-friendly.
Under the 2025 rules, applicants no longer need prior approval from NBR to determine the number of licences per customs station. This allows the authority to issue licences faster than before.
Applicants are also exempt from written and oral tests conducted by the Customs Excise and VAT Training Academy. Provided submitted documents are in order, licences will be issued within 30 working days.
Another key change is nationwide validity. Previously, licences were effective only for the issuing customs station and its associated port. Now, licensed shipping agents can operate across any sea or river port in Bangladesh, enabling wider business operations.
The NBR said it will continue its efforts to create an investment-friendly environment and facilitate smoother import and export activities in the country.
