How to register mobile phones brought from abroad

Many people are now wondering phones purchased locally can be easily registered, but what about phones brought from abroad or received as gifts? Does this mean that bringing phones from abroad will no longer be possible, or that such phones cannot be used?

Regarding handsets legally purchased or received as gifts from abroad, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has stated that such handsets will initially remain active on the country’s network. However, customers will be instructed via SMS to submit the required information online within 30 days. After verification within the stipulated time, only valid handsets will be registered and remain active on the network.
 

Meanwhile, according to existing baggage rules, if a person already has a personal handset registered on the country’s network, they can bring one additional handset from abroad duty-free and also have the option to bring one more handset by paying applicable duties.
 

The BTRC has stated that any foreign phone cannot remain active on Bangladesh’s mobile network long-term without registration.
 

Here’s how to register a mobile handset purchased or received as a gift from abroad:

The BTRC further stated that to register a mobile handset brought from abroad, the customer must first create a personal account on the portal neir.btrc.gov.bd. Then, under the Special Registration section, they must enter the mobile’s IMEI number.
 

After entering the IMEI in the Special Registration section, the customer must upload scanned copies or photos of required documents such as the passport visa page or immigration page, purchase receipt, etc. and then click Submit. If the handset is valid, it will be automatically registered. If it is invalid, the customer will be notified via SMS, and the phone will be disconnected from the network.

 

Documents required for Special Registration

The BTRC has stated that for a mobile handset purchased from abroad, the following documents will be required for Special Registration:

1. A copy of the passport page containing personal information.

2. A copy of the passport page with the immigration stamp.

3. Purchase receipt.

4. Proof of customs duty payment (if more than one handset is being imported).
    

For a handset received as a gift, in addition to the above documents, a certificate from the gift giver is also required.

For a handset received via airmail, the following documents are required:

1. A scanned copy of the sender’s passport or national ID (if applicable).

2. Recipient’s national ID.

3. Purchase receipt.

4. Proof of customs duty payment (if more than one handset is being imported).