Labonnya Liza ; DHAKA – The government has approved a proposal to provide significant customs duty and tax exemptions for the import of new electric buses and trucks.
The decision was finalized during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the National Parliament House on Sunday evening.
Key Highlights of the Policy:
-
Target Vehicles: The exemption applies to brand-new electric buses with a minimum capacity of 17 seats and electric trucks with a capacity of 5 tons or more.
-
Tax Structure: While a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) remains in place, the government has waived all Customs Duty, Regulatory Duty, Supplementary Duty (if applicable), Advance Tax (AT), and Advance Income Tax (AIT).
-
Total Tax Burden: Under this new structure, the total tax burden for these imports will be capped at 15%.
-
Validity: This facility will remain active until June 30, following the issuance of an official notification.
Expanding Green Transport
This move follows a recent initiative by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), which previously removed all duties and taxes on electric buses used specifically for transporting students from schools, colleges, and universities.
The latest cabinet approval extends these benefits to electric buses used for purposes other than student transport, signaling a broader push toward sustainable and eco-friendly public and commercial transportation in Bangladesh.