The government will define gold and jewellery ornaments separately in baggage rules to curb the attempt to evade duties.

“Many passengers from Middle Eastern countries attempt to evade customs duties by concealing roughly designed raw gold as gold jewelry. To combat this issue effectively, I recommend the incorporation of a befitting definition of gold ornaments/jewelry in section 2 of the baggage rule 2023,” Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali told parliament on Thursday.

The minister mentioned that passengers now can get their unaccompanied baggage released subject to the provision of section 3 (4) of the existing baggage rule.

“For the sake of parity in trade, I propose to replace this provision which will allow clearance of unaccompanied baggage after payment of duties and taxes,” he said.

Ali also imposed duties on bringing new mobile phones from abroad to flourish local manufacturing.

“I propose amending the rules by allowing two used mobile phones without payment of duties and taxes and one new mobile phone with payment of all applicable duties and taxes,” he added.

BDST: 1806 HRS, JUN 06, 2024
MN/SMS