Prices of Several Goods May Rise as Budget Proposes Higher Duties on Imports

The proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 includes increases in customs duties, supplementary duties, and regulatory taxes on a wide range of imported and locally used goods, raising concerns of potential price hikes in the consumer market.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the proposals in Parliament on Thursday while unveiling the national budget. The changes in duties take effect immediately upon announcement, according to budget rules.

Goods Likely to Become Costlier

The budget proposals suggest potential price increases for several categories of products:

Cashew nuts
Import duties on both raw and processed cashews have been proposed to rise significantly up to 25 percent.

Imported pangasius fillet
A 20 percent supplementary duty has been proposed on imported pangasius fish fillet.

Cigarettes
Minimum retail prices across all cigarette tiers have been increased, which will directly raise market prices.

Cars (1200–1600 cc)
The total tax burden on mid-range petrol, octane, and diesel vehicles is proposed to rise from 132.36 percent to 155.88 percent.

Washing machines
A 20 percent supplementary duty has been proposed on imported household washing machines.

Gypsum boards and sheets
A 20 percent regulatory duty has been proposed on imports.

Nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products
A 40 percent supplementary duty on nicotine pouches and 67 percent on heated tobacco products has been proposed.

Transformers and electrical equipment
Import duties on low-capacity transformers are proposed to rise from 10 percent to 25 percent, along with an additional 5 percent regulatory duty.

Copper tubes and wires
Import duties on copper tubes will increase to 25 percent, while a new 10 percent duty is proposed for copper wires.

Cold-rolled coils and sheets
An additional 10 percent regulatory duty has been proposed.

PVC and PET resins
Import duties are proposed to increase from 5 percent to 10 percent.

Greaseproof and glassine paper
Both products may face a 25 percent duty plus an additional 5 percent regulatory tax.

Maize starch
Import duty is proposed to rise from 15 percent to 25 percent.

Polyester staple fibre
A new 5 percent import duty has been proposed.

Imported bicycle parts
Duty on freewheels and related components is proposed to increase from 15 percent to 25 percent, along with an additional 5 percent regulatory duty.

Economic Impact

Economists suggest that while the measures may support domestic industries, they could also lead to higher consumer prices for several essential and industrial goods.