EPB increases fees for exporter services and forms

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has announced a hike in fees for all services provided to exporters. The notification details a 50 per cent increase in costs associated with export-related forms, along with higher charges for GSP registration, renewal, and certificate issuance for both textile and non-textile products.

The fee adjustments range from a minimum increase of Taka 100 to a maximum of Taka 3,000. Exporters have voiced their concerns over the changes, arguing that the fee hikes contradict ongoing efforts to lower business costs.

Fazlul Haque, former president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, commented, “While the fee increases may seem minor compared to overall export costs, as a non-commercial organization, the EPB should avoid raising fees. This could set a precedent for similar increases from other agencies.”

EPB Vice Chairman Md Anwar Hossain advocated the fee adjustments, stating they were necessary to address rising operational costs, including the increased price of paper. “Fees had not been adjusted since 2014, and these increases were deemed essential after a thorough review by the EPB board,” he explained.

Key fee changes include:

GSP certificate issuance is rising from Taka 500 to Taka 600, with an additional Taka 500 fee for applications processed after 24 hours.

Certificates of Origin for various agreements (SAPTA, SAFTA, China, Korea, Chile, etc.) has increased by Taka 100.

Textile product registration fees are increasing from Taka 5,000 to Taka 7,500, with renewals rising from Taka 3,000 to Taka 4,000.

Non-textile product registration fees are increasing from Taka 2,000 to Taka 5,000, and renewals from Taka 1,000 to Taka 3,000.

Preferential Certificate of Origin forms (GSP, SAFTA, etc.) rising from Taka 200 to Taka 300.

Additionally, a 15 per cent VAT will be applied to all fees, according to the EPB notice. Exporters are required to obtain these registrations and certificates to facilitate the export of goods.

The EPB anticipates issuing 90,000 GSP certificates and 140,000 Certificates of Origin in the current fiscal year, aiming for a revenue target of Taka 11 crore, in line with last year’s earnings.