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Trade Facilitation Ongoing

Tariff Modernization: Tariff Policy Analysis, Implementation Planning, Valuation and ASYCUDA/NSW/ARMS Software Scoping (SD-04)

Client: National Board of Revenue (NBR)

May 2026
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Trade Facilitation / Technical Assistance & Project Management

Project Overview

TRACE Consulting, as a sub-consultant to AARC Ltd., is supporting the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh, in implementing a major tariff modernization initiative under the Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Project (CMID). The assignment provides specialized technical and policy advisory support to strengthen Bangladesh’s tariff framework and advance the modernization of customs and trade policy.

The project supports the implementation of the National Tariff Policy 2023 by enhancing tariff predictability, rationalizing the duty and tax structure, addressing tariff anomalies and inverted duty structures, and aligning Bangladesh’s tariff regime with international customs and trade standards. It also contributes to broader national priorities, including export diversification, investment facilitation, industrial competitiveness, WTO compliance, and post-LDC graduation preparedness.

TRACE is providing technical expertise in tariff policy analysis, HS nomenclature modernization, customs valuation reform, revenue impact modelling, phased implementation planning, and the design of digital solutions to support advanced tariff analysis. The assignment also includes scoping interoperable technology solutions integrated with ASYCUDA, the National Single Window (NSW), and Automated Risk Management Systems (ARMS) to strengthen evidence-based tariff policy and customs decision-making.

Project Scopes

  • Providing technical advisory support for reviewing Bangladesh’s existing tariff regime, assessing policy gaps, and contributing to the formulation of a realistic and sequenced implementation plan for the National Tariff Policy 2023.
  • Supporting the preparation of tariff reform scenario papers using analytical tools such as the World Bank’s Trade Reform Impact Simulation Tool (TRIST), WITS, and other relevant trade data platforms to assess impacts on revenue, trade flows, import prices, and competitiveness.
  • Reviewing HS descriptions in the Bangladesh Customs Tariff (BCT) to improve accuracy, specificity, and consistency with WCO HS nomenclature standards, while reducing generic descriptions and minimizing classification disputes.
  • Supporting the comparative review of Bangladesh Customs Tariff descriptions against ASYCUDA World tariff descriptions and providing technical inputs on corrective measures, mismatch resolution, and system-compatible harmonization.
  • Reviewing customs duties, supplementary duties, regulatory duties, VAT, and other para-tariff measures to identify anomalies, distortions, and inverted duty structures affecting domestic manufacturing, value addition, and export competitiveness.
  • Providing tariff policy perspectives on the review and implementation of the Customs Valuation Rules 2000, with a focus on transaction-value-based valuation consistent with Article VII of GATT and WTO Customs Valuation principles.
  • Supporting the development of training materials, capacity-building modules, and knowledge inputs for NBR and relevant stakeholders on tariff policy analysis, HS classification, tariff reform sequencing, TRIST, WITS, and customs valuation.
  • Providing policy-alignment inputs for the scoping assessment and Software Requirements Specification (SRS) for ASYCUDA/NSW/ARMS-backed tariff analysis software, supporting future digital tariff management and evidence-based policy decision-making. The targeted key outcomes are outlined below:

Key Outcomes

  • A practical, fiscally responsible, and administratively feasible multi-year roadmap to support the phased implementation of the National Tariff Policy and gradual rationalization of Bangladesh’s tariff protection structure.
  • Improved tariff descriptions aligned with WCO HS standards and ASYCUDA World requirements, contributing to greater classification certainty, reduced disputes, and improved customs administration.
  • Scenario papers and analytical outputs to support informed decision-making on tariff rationalization, revenue implications, trade competitiveness, and industrial adjustment.
  • Technical inputs to support more effective implementation of transaction-value-based customs valuation and reduce reliance on arbitrary or fictitious customs values.
  • Strengthened internal capacity through SOPs, training materials, and advisory support, enabling NBR officials to regularly analyze, monitor, and update tariff policy implementation.
  • Identification of discrepancies between Bangladesh Customs Tariff descriptions and ASYCUDA World descriptions, supported by corrective measures and an implementation roadmap for harmonization.
  • Policy-aligned scoping and SRS inputs for advanced tariff analysis software, supporting data-driven reform, system integration, and modern customs decision-making.

Subject Matter Experts

Mohammed Mahraj-ul-Alam Samrat

Head of Trade Facilitation & Regulatory Compliance

Nahrin Rahman Swarna

Technical Director

Fuad M Khalid Hossen

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Mahanaz Akter Lopa

Trade Facilitation Specialist

Service Areas

Advancing Cross-Border Trade and Customs Modernization

Trade Facilitation

Managing Change through Strategic Project Execution

Technical Assistance & Project Management
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