The reduction on import of dates will remain effective until 10 March 2027.
Representational Image. Photo: Collected
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Representational Image. Photo: Collected
The government today (15 November) announced temporary reductions in import duties on dates, oranges and apples ahead of the upcoming holy Ramadan.
According to a statement, the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, decided to cut the import duty on dates to 5% from 25%, with the reduced rate remaining effective until 10 March 2027.
Import taxes on oranges (malta) under HS Code 08051010 and apples under HS Code 08081010 were also reduced to 61% from 121.78%. The temporary rates will remain effective from 24 January to 23 February.
The statement said the cabinet gave in-principle and final approval to a National Board of Revenue (NBR) proposal to restore monthly VAT filing for standard businesses, requiring them to submit returns within 15 days of the end of each monthly tax period.
The revised provision is expected to be incorporated into the proposed Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty (Amendment) Act, 2026, amending an October 2026 ordinance that introduced quarterly VAT filing with monthly submissions.
The statement recalled that the FY2026-27 budget had relaxed the monthly VAT filing requirement, allowing businesses to submit returns within 15 days of the end of every three-month tax period under the ordinance.
However, the change created obstacles to revenue collection at the field level, necessitating an amendment to Section 64 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012.
The amendment is expected to be approved during the current parliamentary session, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.
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