NBR makes online customs bond system mandatory from January 2026

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) today announced that from January 1, 2026, all exporters who import raw materials without paying duty will be required to use the Customs Bond Management System (CBMS) for all related services.

The CBMS is an online platform launched on January 1, 2025 to make customs procedures faster, easier, and more transparent. It currently operates through three customs offices using 24 different modules to provide services digitally.

However, even after 11 months, most exporters still apply for Utilisation Permission (UP), which allows duty-free import of raw materials, through manual paperwork.

Only a small number are using the online system.

NBR has upgraded the CBMS to make it more user-friendly after taking feedback from users.

From next year, exporters seeking UP will have to use the CBMS exclusively. No manual applications or alternative methods will be accepted.