The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has imposed an immediate restriction on the import of yarn through key land ports to shield Bangladesh’s domestic textile and spinning industries from growing competition.

According to an official notification issued on April 13, the ban affects yarn imports through Benapole, Bhomra, Banglabandha, Burimari, and Sonamasjid land ports.

The restriction follows a recommendation from the commerce ministry, which had warned that a surge in raw material imports for the garment industry was contributing to significant losses among local textile millers.

Officials noted that yarn entering through land ports is often declared at lower values than shipments arriving via Chattogram port, making it difficult for local manufacturers to remain competitive.

Local millers had appealed to the government to address the issue, citing increasing difficulty in matching the prices of imported yarn. The commerce ministry supported the call, stating that unchecked imports could erode the viability of domestic spinning operations.

Yarn imports through land ports had been permitted since January 2023 to meet a spike in demand that emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest policy shift is seen as an attempt to recalibrate that decision in line with current market dynamics.