In just a year and a half, Mukhtar’s fortunes have shined since he started selling used laptops in Badda, a bustling area in the capital. Now, he sells around 40-50 laptops per month, generating an average revenue of Tk8 lakh.
“These laptops mostly come from abroad, particularly from Dubai,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh, sitting in his well-lit shop, which showcases a variety of used laptops from renowned global brands.
Although the import of used computers and computer parts is prohibited under the Bangladesh Import Policy Order 2021-2024, the influx of such devices has been steadily rising over the past five years.
Industry insiders say these used devices now cater to more than half of the customers.
“Gradually, trust is being built around buying old laptops because, even though they’re used, the devices are still good,” Mukhtar said, as his store buzzed with customers.
He added that many sellers of used laptops brought from abroad offer both replacement and service warranties. “If any issue arises, after-sales support is available,” he said.
When asked about the source of the laptops, he evaded the question, saying, “Various people bring them in from abroad through different means to sell. I buy from them.”
Social media feeds are now currently flooded with video advertisements for refurbished and used laptops sourced from abroad.
“We have seen used and non-channel products in the market for about five years, with a sharp rise in the last two to three,” said Md Rashed Ali Bhuiyan, chairman of leading computer retail company Star Tech Limited.
Market insiders say the flooding of the market with used laptops, particularly those brought from abroad through various ways, is causing the government to lose a substantial amount of revenue. Meanwhile, businesses that import brand-new devices through legal channels are losing customers to the used laptops, leading to significant financial losses.
The pandemic effect
Industry insiders explained that the market for used laptops brought from abroad began to grow during the pandemic, when demand surged due to home offices and virtual classes, while the supply of new laptops was limited.
The global chip shortage from 2020 to 2023 pushed up the prices of computer equipment during the pandemic. The rise in the dollar price and the increase in value-added tax (VAT) further inflated costs in Bangladesh.
As a result, buying a new laptop has become unaffordable for many people.
Currently, the Total Tax Incidence (TTI) for laptop imports stands at 23.25%, higher than it was three years ago. Over the same period, the dollar price surged from Tk85 to over Tk120, causing a sharp increase in the price of all imported goods.
“So, a laptop that used to sell for Tk40,000 now has to be sold for around Tk60,000, whereas a used one can be found for as low as Tk20,000,” Rashed said.
Posing as a buyer, this correspondent visited shops selling used laptops and found that these laptops are priced across a wide range, from Tk10,000 to Tk1 lakh, depending on the specifications, brand, and condition.
Some of these shops also sell minicomputers, which range from Tk7,000 to Tk40,000.
Additionally, the latest model laptops and minicomputers are being sold at higher prices. However, they are still cheaper than the same models sold by official importers.
For example, a used Core i5 8th-gen HP laptop is priced around Tk22,000, while a brand-new Core i5 13th-gen laptop costs over Tk70,000 at reputable stores.
“By compromising on the generational improvement in models, you’re saving at least a third of your money, which you can later spend on repairs or replacement parts,” said used laptop seller Rajib Hasan, in Mirpur 10.
Most sellers also offer up to a one-month exchange guarantee if any problems arise, along with 2-3 years of service warranty. “This laptop was used on projects in Europe for a few months before coming here,” said a store owner, showing his product.
Hubs of used laptops
There are two main hubs for used laptop shops in the capital – one is Elephant Road, and the other is Mirpur 10. The Multiplan Centre in Elephant Road alone hosts around 100 dedicated used laptop shops, with about 30 more in adjacent markets. In Mirpur 10, Shah Ali Market and FS Square house around 19 shops.
Besides the capital, Chattogram and Rajshahi also have some dedicated shops for selling imported used laptops.
Kabir, a computer shop owner at Multiplan Centre, said with frustration, “I feel like about 70% of all laptops being sold now are imported used ones.”
“This week, not a single desktop has been sold in my shop. And it’s not just me; many others are facing the same situation,” he added.
President of the Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS), Mohammad Zahirul Islam, said, “Around 20,000 new laptops and 20,000 new desktops are sold each month.”
If the average price of a new laptop or desktop is Tk50,000, then around Tk2,400 crore worth of brand-new laptops and desktops are sold in the country each year, according to market insiders.
Zahirul said that demand for new laptops was higher in the past, but it started dropping with the rise in imports of used laptops.
BCS Secretary General Mohammed Monirul Islam echoed this concern, saying a significant portion of the market has shifted to used devices.
Though no official data is available for the used laptop market, TIMES of Bangladesh spoke with ten used laptop shop owners and estimates that around 30,000 used laptops are sold each month, generating an estimated revenue of Tk150 crore per month.
Exploiting legal loopholes
Stakeholders say that used laptops are being brought into the country by exploiting legal loopholes.
This correspondent spoke with a group that imports around 200 laptops per month. One member, who requested to remain anonymous, explained that if you travel to Bangladesh from abroad, you are allowed to bring two laptops and two mobile phones with you.
“Since people usually carry one mobile phone anyway, you can effectively bring two laptops and one mobile legally,” he said.
“Usually, we contact passengers who are flying to Bangladesh beforehand to carry laptops and cellphones for us. Additionally, our people wait near the airport, offering to carry the items in exchange for money.
“For each laptop, the carrier is paid Tk4,000, and Tk6,000 for each mobile. They appreciate it as it slightly offsets their travel costs,” he added.
Environmental concerns
Though customers can save money, these laptops have the potential to contribute to the electronic waste (e-waste) problem in the country.
Many of these laptops are almost end of their lifecycle, and are also harmful to the environment as it is considered e-waste in many countries.
“Improper disposal of these materials can pose serious health risks, from cancer to other hazards,” said Alamgir Kabir, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA).
According to the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO), Bangladesh produces around 2.7 million tonnes of electronic waste each year.
