Previously, passengers could bring two new mobile phones from abroad without paying any tax. However, under the new baggage rules proposed in the FY25 budget, passengers are now limited to bringing a maximum of two old phones without incurring any tax. Additional phones will be subject to taxes ranging from Tk5000 to Tk25000, based on their value.
This change aims to boost the local mobile phone manufacturing industry by making imported phones less financially attractive. Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali introduced the Tk797,000 crore (Tk7.97 trillion) budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year in parliament on Thursday. This marks his first budget presentation and the first budget following the Awami League government’s reelection in January.
