The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has invited applications for Customs Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agent licences under the newly formulated Customs Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agent Licensing Rules, 2026. According to a press release issued today, the new rules have been introduced under Section 243 of the Customs Act, 2023, replacing the previous Customs Agent Licensing Rules, 2020. The updated framework aims to create a more competitive environment and improve service quality for importers and exporters by streamlining C&F operations, reports BSS.
Interested applicants must submit their applications using the prescribed Form-Ka, along with the required documents and certificates, to the Chairman of the Licensing Authority at the respective customs station by 4:00 pm on March 31, 2026. Applications must include the original copy of a bank draft or pay order.
To be eligible, applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university. Companies with local and foreign joint ownership can apply, provided foreign shareholding does not exceed 49 percent. A sole proprietor, partner, or shareholder may obtain only one licence, and applicants must specify a single customs station in the application form; applications mentioning multiple stations will be rejected.
Applicants are required to submit attested copies of National ID cards of proprietors, managing directors, chairmen, or partners as applicable, along with VAT registration certificates if available, updated trade licences, and Proof of Submission of Return (PSR) issued by the income tax authority for the current or previous year. Attested copies of bachelor’s degree certificates, three recent passport-size color photographs, and copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association for companies, or partnership deeds for partnerships, are also required. In addition, a non-refundable bank draft or pay order of Tk 5,000 in favour of the Director General, Customs, Excise and VAT Training Academy, Chattogram, a declaration on a Tk 300 non-judicial stamp stating that no licence has previously been issued under the rules, proof of office ownership or valid rental documents, and certificates of practical experience regarding the Customs Act, 2023, VAT and Supplementary Duty Act, import-export policy, and customs procedures, if available, must be submitted.
After preliminary scrutiny by the respective customs stations, the list of eligible candidates for the examination will be published on the Customs, Excise and VAT Training Academy website (www.cevta.gov.bd). Written and viva examination schedules and results will also be updated on the website, and admit cards will be sent by post to the address provided in Form-Ka. Applications that fail to meet the prescribed conditions or are submitted after the deadline will be rejected. The authority reserves the right to revise examination dates and schedules at any time.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
