DHAKA, July 5, 2025 (BSS) - The government has introduced a web-based a-chalan system enabling the importers, exporters and their nominated C&F agents to directly deposit customs duties and taxes into the government treasury through online anytime and from anywhere.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Finance Division jointly launched the system at the beginning of the new fiscal year (FY26) to streamline revenue collection, ensure transparency and expedite unloading and release of goods from ports.

Under the initiative, the Customs' ASYCUDA World system has been integrated with the Finance Division's iBAS++ system, allowing taxpayers to pay duties directly from their bank accounts either online or offline, said an NBR press release today.

Earlier, payments made through the RTGS method used to take several days to be deposited with the treasury, causing delays and financial losses for the government. Now, payments made through a-chalan at anytime or the round clock is instantly credited to the treasury, enabling the government to utilize the funds immediately.

The NBR said training for importers, exporters, C&F agents and customs officials at Chattogram Customs House was completed on July 1-2, 2025 and the system went live there on July 3. 

On the very first day, more than Taka 13 crore was deposited successfully into the treasury against 75 bills of entry through Sonali Bank and other scheduled banks.

The system allows taxpayers to pay customs duties through internet banking, debit/credit cards, mobile financial services like bKash, Rocket, Nagad, Upay, mCash, TrustPay, or at the counters of any branch of 61 banks across the country. After payment, a system-generated receipt is issued, which can be used to clear goods at the port.

Earlier, pilot runs of the system were carried out at ICD Kamalapur on April 23, 2025 and at Pangaon Customs House later on. Chattogram became the third customs station to implement it.

According to the NBR, Dhaka Customs House and all other customs houses across the country will adopt the a-chalan system from July 7.

Officials said the system would ensure transparency in revenue collection, make the process easier for taxpayers, and improve the financial discipline of the government.