The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has invited applications from eligible individuals and entities for Customs Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) agent licences under the newly enacted Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agent Licensing Rules, 2026, aiming to enhance service quality and ensure a more competitive environment for importers and exporters.

According to an official press release, interested applicants must submit their applications in the prescribed ‘Form-K’, along with required documents and certificates, to the licensing authority of the respective customs station by 4:00pm on March 31, 2026.

Applications must be accompanied by the original bank draft or pay order and all supporting documents as specified in the rules.

The new licensing process has been introduced under Section 243 of the Customs Act, 2023, replacing the previous Customs Agent Licensing Rules, 2020.

The NBR said the updated rules were formulated and notified to create a modern, transparent and efficient regulatory framework for C&F agents and to facilitate smoother customs operations.

Officials noted that previously there was no separate and dedicated set of regulations exclusively governing C&F agent licensing. Licences were issued under the broader Customs Agent Licensing Rules, 2020.

The newly introduced rules establish a distinct and specialised regulatory structure to streamline licensing procedures and strengthen operational standards in line with evolving customs practices.

Under the eligibility criteria, applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university.

Companies formed under joint ownership between local and foreign partners are also eligible, provided foreign ownership does not exceed 49 percent of total shares.

The rules further stipulate that an individual proprietor, partner in a partnership firm or shareholder in a limited company may not obtain more than one licence.

Applicants must also specify only one customs station in their application; applications mentioning multiple customs stations will be considered invalid.

Applicants are required to submit a range of supporting documents, including attested copies of national identity cards, a valid trade licence, income tax return submission proof, academic certificates and recent passport-size photographs.

Where applicable, copies of VAT registration certificates, company incorporation documents, partnership deeds and proof of office premises ownership or tenancy must also be provided.

In addition, applicants must submit a non-refundable bank draft or pay order of Tk 5,000 in favour of the Director General of the Customs, Excise and VAT Training Academy in Chattogram as the application fee.

A declaration on a non-judicial stamp confirming that no previous licence has been issued under the rules in the applicant’s name must also be included.

The NBR said candidates whose applications are accepted after preliminary scrutiny by the respective customs stations will be eligible to sit for written and oral examinations conducted by the Customs, Excise and VAT Training Academy in Chattogram.

The list of eligible candidates, examination schedules and results will be published on the academy’s official website.

Admit cards for eligible candidates will be sent by post to the address provided in the application form.

Following successful completion of the required examination and verification process, licences will be issued by the licensing authority of the relevant customs station in accordance with the rules.

The revenue authority cautioned that applications failing to meet the prescribed conditions or submitted after the deadline will be rejected.

It also reserved the right to revise or reschedule examination dates and related procedures if necessary.

The introduction of the Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agent Licensing Rules, 2026 is expected to improve professional standards in customs brokerage services and facilitate more efficient trade operations, as Bangladesh continues to expand its international trade and logistics sectors.