Bangladesh will introduce National Equipment Identification Register (NEIR) on December 16, but the government has extended the deadline for registering unlisted mobile phones to 15 March 2026 in order to ease public and business concerns.

The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology announced the decision in a notice issued on Wednesday night, stating that the extension was granted following requests from mobile phone traders.

Under the revised policy, all unregistered handsets currently available in the market may be registered within the extended timeframe to become legally valid.

The NEIR system is being implemented to curb phone smuggling, device cloning, refurbished handset issues and mobile-based digital crimes.

According to the notice, there are no restrictions on importing mobile phones.

The Posts and Telecommunications Division will keep relevant agencies, including the Commerce Ministry, informed about the types and ages of devices permitted for import and importers will be required to notify the appropriate government authorities.

The government is also reviewing mobile phone import duties, with discussions underway involving National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Commerce Ministry.

Importers and manufacturers will jointly draft proposals to submit to the government, with the Posts and Telecommunications Division acting as mediator.
The notice urged stakeholders to maintain law and order during NEIR’s rollout.
Leaders of Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh and mobile trading community are expected to attend and endorse the NEIR launch event on December 16.