Regulatory Alerts2025-04-24
Added
Mobile operators’ receipt of roaming bills in Taka and corresponding outward remittances
Mobile operators in Bangladesh may accept roaming service payments from resident travelers in Taka, capped at 6,000 Taka per trip and 30,000 Taka annually across all numbers. Authorized Dealers may process outward remittances to overseas network operators upon verifying applications containing agreements, invoices, tax evidence, customer earnings statements, and operator undertakings regarding the Taka payment limits. Remittances must be executed using first foreign currency funds followed by Taka accounts and routed through designated branches with intimation to Bangladesh Bank.
Foreign Exchange Policy Department Bangladesh Bank Head Office Dhaka www.bb.org.bd FE Circular No. 16 Date: April 24, 2025 All Authorized Dealer in Foreign Exchange in Bangladesh Dear Sirs, Mobile operators’ receipt of roaming bills in Taka and corresponding outward remittances In terms of paragraph 18, chapter 19 of the Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions-2018, Vol.-1, international cards are allowed to be used for payments of mobile phone roaming service utilization bills to mobile operators in Bangladesh. 02. To make roaming services easier by resident Bangladeshi travelers, it has been decided that mobile operators in Bangladesh can accept payments from a customer in Taka; up to a maximum of 6,000 Taka per trip and 30,000 Taka over a calendar year. Mobile operators shall follow the following instructions while activating roaming services:
- The above mentioned limit cannot be exceeded in aggregate for use of more than one mobile number/operator;
- The traveler shall have valid visa, if applicable, and ticket;
- Roaming services should be activated one week before the journey.
- Regarding payments to network operators abroad, Authorized Dealers (ADs) may make outward remittances in observance of the following instructions: (a) ADs shall obtain applications containing- (i) Copy of agreements; (ii) Copy of invoices; (iii) Documentary evidences related to the payment of all applicable taxes. (b) ADs shall obtain separate statements showing earnings by customers with detailed information (mobile number, NID, passport number) and overseas payables thereon. (c) An undertaking from the mobile operator to the effect that they have allowed roaming services in Taka to their customers up to the limit set by Bangladesh Bank. Continued to page no. 2
-2- 04. After scrutinizing the application along with the supporting documents submitted and establishing the bonafides, ADs shall remit the payments. In this case, ADs shall utilize first foreign currency fund, if any, in their admissible foreign currency accounts and the remainder from Taka accounts. 05. Remittances under the authorization of this circular may only be made through a designated AD branch with intimation to Bangladesh Bank, concerned department/concerned area office of Bangladesh Bank. Please bring the contents of this circular letter to the notice of all concerned. Yours faithfully, (Md. Harun-Ar-Rashid) Director (FEPD) Phone: 9530123