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Taiyeb reassured consumers that any handset already in use and activated before December 16 will not be blocked once NEIR becomes operational.

He added that the government is also preparing to crack down on used foreign handsets being imported as new. Customs has already identified flights from India, Thailand and China for targeted enforcement.

The proposed Telecommunication Ordinance 2025 will further enhance safeguards for IMEI and electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) data.

During a recent inter-agency meeting, officials decided that expatriate Bangladeshis may use personal smartphones for up to 60 days without registration. Those staying longer will need to register under NEIR.

Those with Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) registration cards can bring one personal handset plus two new devices duty-free; a fourth device will incur duty. Travellers without BMET registration may bring one additional handset tax-free.

Currently, Bangladeshi travellers can bring two devices duty-free.

Authorities also urged travellers to carry proof of purchase, noting that smugglers at airports in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Middle East often pressure migrant workers to carry high-value items.

The BTRC and NBR are continuing discussions with the commerce ministry to align taxes on imported and locally assembled devices, with final decisions expected soon.

The inter-agency meeting also stressed consumer safety, warning users not to let others operate SIM cards registered in their name, which are often used for cybercrime, scams, and mobile banking fraud.

Bangladesh will block cloned, stolen, and refurbished phones from entering the market. Importers may legalise devices with valid IMEI numbers brought in before December 16 by paying reduced duty, but cloned and refurbished units will not qualify.