A total of nine importers in Bangladesh will receive Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Monday, as the country observes International Customs Day 2026.
Customs officials said the recognition will allow certified firms to clear imported goods through green channels without physical inspection, significantly reducing clearance time and costs.
Hatil Furniture and Asian Paints Bangladesh Ltd are among recipients, with 10 companies having received the same recognition in 2025.
Under the AEO programme, compliant and trusted companies are permitted to move imported goods directly from ports to factories or warehouses without routine physical checks.
NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan said the AEO recognition would play a vital role in reducing trade costs and time.
Encouraged by the facility, several other companies have already applied for the certification, he added.
In preparation for the status graduation from least developed country (LDC), Bangladesh Customs has taken steps to strengthen HS classification, valuation, rules of origin and the enforcement of intellectual property rights to sustain export competitiveness.
NBR officials said they have moved to rationalise import tariffs and continue to formulate revenue policies for promoting domestic industries, diversifying exports and enhancing industrial capacity, with Bangladesh Customs acting as the key implementing agency.
Meanwhile, the inclusion of Bangladesh Customs and the NBR as investigating authorities for “predicate offences” under the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 marks a significant milestone in local customs administration.
Since receiving this mandate, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate has alone filed 95 money laundering cases, reflecting customs’ expanding enforcement role beyond revenue collection.
Customs, one of the world’s oldest fiscal and administrative institutions with origins in ancient Egyptian and Sumerian civilizations, is no longer limited to collecting revenue.
It now plays a frontline role in combating cross-border crime, protecting public health and security, ensuring supply chain safety and facilitating legitimate trade.
Reflecting this evolving mandate, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has set the theme for International Customs Day 2026 as “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment.”
Officials said one of the key commitments this year is to further strengthen pre-arrival processing to ensure faster clearance of imported goods, encouraging importers to submit and verify documents before consignments reach ports.
While customs is widely known as a revenue-collector– contributing more than 27 per cent of the total tax revenue – its most critical role lies in safeguarding public health and security.
Customs authorities regulate the movement of passengers and goods through seaports, land ports and airports, while preventing illegal activities such as drug trafficking, counterfeit trade, illicit currency movements and smuggling.
Recently, Customs House Chattogram seized nearly 25 tonnes of poppy seed.
Earlier, the detection of cocaine in oil drums drew nationwide attention. Customs regularly intercepts consignments of heroin, cannabis, yaba, drug precursors, illegal cigarettes and liquor.
It also prevents the import of expired or unauthorised medicines, cosmetics and hazardous food products, enforcing the Import Policy Order and food safety laws at the border.
During the WCO-led “Operation Action IPR Asia Pacific II” in 2024, Bangladesh Customs filed 45 cases and seized around 144,000 counterfeit items, ranking second after Japan in enforcement outcomes.
Customs also plays a key role in preventing trade-based money laundering by addressing under and over-invoicing, enforcing foreign exchange regulations for outbound passengers, and intercepting smuggled gold and currency.
Given Bangladesh’s position between the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent – two major drug-producing regions – customs officials say vigilance at the borders remains critical.
