Bangladesh-based National Board of Revenue (NBR) has deferred yarn imports from India through land ports. The Board has also cancelled previous import permissions at the Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid, Banglabandha, and Burimari land ports.

This new NBR order changes one issued on August 27, 2024. These land ports were the main entry points for yarn imported from India.

Earlier this year, in February, the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) had called for a ban on yarn imports from India through land ports.

In March 2025, a part of the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission advised the NBR to stop yarn imports through land ports.

In its recommendation to the Abdur Rahman Khan, Chairman, NBR, the tariff commission recommended continuing yarn imports through seaports until all land and rail routes, land ports, and nearby customs offices are equipped with the required infrastructure to accurately determine yarn count according to international standards. This would protect the domestic textile industry.

Following this advice, Khan issued the directive. However, yarn can still be imported by sea or through other non-land routes.

Reports indicate, yarn manufactured in North and South India and stored in Kolkata warehouses is being sold in Bangladesh at lower prices, giving it an advantage over domestically produced yarn. This is hurting the domestic textile industry significantly, states BTMA.

Sources further indicate, while yarn prices from China, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh are similar, Indian yarn imported through land ports is much cheaper. Prices of yarn imported through land ports are far lower than the prices declared at the Chattogram customs house. This makes it difficult for domestic yarn manufacturers to compete.