NBR Launches Public Access to Detailed HS Code-Based Import Data

The Chronify

February 3, 2026

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has reached a milestone in trade transparency by making detailed, HS Code-wise import data available to the public.

In response to long-standing demands for greater economic transparency, the NBR has officially opened its trade database for public viewing. Starting today, the board will regularly upload monthly import statistics classified by Harmonized System (HS) Codes on its official website. This shift marks a departure from traditional practices where such granular data was often restricted to government use or paid subscribers.

The newly available data provides a comprehensive look at the country’s commercial landscape:

December 2025 Dataset: The first complete public release covers all goods imported under commercial and bonded warehouse facilities for the month of December 2025.
Granular Details: For every HS Code, the NBR is now publishing the net weight (kg), quantity, and the assessed value (Taka) of the imports.
Categories Covered: Information is split into two primary streams:

IM-4 (Commercial): Goods imported for the domestic market.

IM-7 (Bonded): Raw materials and goods imported duty-free for export-oriented industries.

Why This Matters for Stakeholders
This initiative is designed to empower the "knowledge economy" in Bangladesh:

Entrepreneurs & Investors: Can now track seasonal variations and identify market gaps or over-saturated sectors with precision.
Researchers & Analysts: Can perform data-driven assessments of Bangladesh’s trade structure and import dependency without relying on third-party estimates.
Transparency: Public access acts as a deterrent to trade-based money laundering and under-invoicing, as market participants can now compare declared prices against international standards.

To access the files, users can visit the nbr.gov.bd website, navigate to the "Customs" section under the "Publication" portal, and download the monthly "Import Statement" PDF or Excel files. NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan confirmed that these updates will be continued monthly as part of a wider customs reform package aimed at digitizing the trade ecosystem.