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The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has identified a potential revenue loss of around Tk324 crore linked to the import of raw materials used to make cigarette filters, with further verification under way.
The NBR’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) recently suspended the clearance of a consignment imported in the name of a company that officials found to be non-existent.
The consignment contained 48,143kg of cellulose acetate tow, a key raw material used in cigarette filter production.
The shipment was imported through Chattogram Customs House on August 18 in two containers by Unique Traders.
According to the NBR, the company was not found operating at its registered address and had not been regularly submitting VAT returns or related documents.
The suspended consignment involved around Tk16.44 crore in import-stage duties and taxes, which the authorities have since secured, the NBR said.
However, the CIC found that the raw material could have been used to produce about 4.3 billion cigarette sticks, or roughly 430.25 million packets of 10 cigarettes each.
Based on the retail price of Tk92 per packet for medium-segment cigarettes and an applicable VAT and supplementary duty rate of around 82%, the potential revenue associated with the consignment was estimated at about Tk324 crore.
For high-segment cigarettes, with a retail price of Tk160 per packet, the potential revenue could be around Tk564 crore, according to the NBR’s preliminary calculation.
The CIC also found that Unique Traders had imported a total of 362,837kg of cellulose acetate tow during the 2025-26 fiscal year, raising questions about the actual use of the material, its users and the subsequent supply chain.
The NBR said it was conducting further investigations into the imports and supply chain.
The CIC has also identified four other companies whose registered addresses reportedly showed no actual business activity and whose VAT-related filings were not found.
Authorities are now examining the actual users, destinations, sales, financial transactions and other parties linked to the imported raw materials.
