Govt piles supplementary duties on toiletries, energy drinks and cosmetics

The Bangladesh government is imposing and increasing supplementary duties on a range of products including energy drinks, cosmetics and toiletries.

The supplementary duties are imposed to protect domestic industries and reduce the use of ‘undesirable’ and ‘luxurious’ items, said Finance Minister AMA Muhith when he presenting the budget for fiscal 2018-19 in parliament on Thursday.

The duties will also help to raise government revenue, he said.

The existing 25 percent supplementary duty on energy drinks will be raised to 35 percent in order to restrict their consumption and reduce health risks.

A 10 percent supplementary duty on cosmetics and beauty products such lipstick, nail polish and body lotion will be extended to ‘all similar products’.

The government also increased the supplementary duty on toiletries, perfumes (except attar), body sprays and similar times (aside from aromatic vapour) to 15 percent from 10 percent.

The duty on cigarette paper was increased to 25 percent from 20 percent and that on bathtubs, whirlpool bathtubs and hot tubs (Jacuzzi), and shower trays to 30 percent from 20 percent.

A 10 percent supplementary duty will be imposed on filament lamps to reduce the use of the energy inefficient lighting, said Muhith.

A 5 percent duty on production will be imposed on all forms of polythene and plastic bags in order to protect the environment and the use of jute bags, he said.