The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued new regulations for the submission of import general manifests (IGM). The NBR's current gazette announcement requires imports to be notified well in advance of the prior deadline, allowing for faster releases and increased openness in trade operations.

Under the previous regime, the IGM, a thorough document providing critical information on cargo being transported by vessel or aircraft, had to be submitted 24 hours before arrival in the country. However, with the implementation of the Pre-Arrival Processing Rules-2024 for imported products, starting immediately from March 24, importers must now submit the IGM 24 hours before the vessel departs from the last port before entering Bangladesh. This proactive strategy intends to allow importers to acquire clearance for general category products quickly and increase trade efficiency, while eliminating those that require further clearance or significant value-added tax (VAT) payments.