Bangladesh has taken a major step towards faster and more transparent garment exports with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) integrating the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) electronic Utilisation Declaration (e-UD) platform with ASYCUDA World, the global customs management system.
The integration came into effect on 11th January 2026 and enables real-time, fully online verification of bonded raw material utilisation for export-oriented garment factories.
The move forms part of the government’s broader effort to modernise bond management systems, improve the valuation of bonded raw materials and exported goods, and strengthen transparency and accountability in customs operations.
Officials said the new system would significantly speed up import and export clearance procedures while reducing reliance on physical documentation.
Prior to the integration, utilisation declaration verification depended largely on manual processes and a standalone BGMEA platform. This often led to procedural complexity, delays in cargo release and limited the ability of customs authorities to efficiently monitor the use of bonded materials.
The NBR said manual verification slowed clearance processes and made consistent regulatory oversight more challenging. Exporters frequently faced delays in clearing imported raw materials as well as finished export consignments due to paperwork-heavy procedures.
Under the new arrangement, utilisation declaration verification is carried out entirely online and in real time through ASYCUDA World. Customs officials are now able to instantly cross-check export data and bonded raw material usage without the need for physical intervention.
The integration is expected to deliver several benefits, including faster customs clearance and reduced lead times at ports, which will help Bangladesh’s garment sector meet increasingly tight global delivery schedules.
Jointly implemented by the NBR and BGMEA, the initiative is being widely viewed as a significant step towards a paperless customs environment, improved ease of doing business and enhanced global competitiveness for Bangladesh’s apparel industry.
