Dhaka, April 4 -- Oral saline is taxed at above 98 per cent in Bangladesh now due to the inclusion of its prime packaging material on a high import tariff list.

Local manufacturers say that changes in HS code by the customs authority have led to the hike in the tax rate by 58 per cent since 01 March 2023 on the aluminum foil of the widely-consumed product.

The total tax incidence on Orsaline was 31 per cent earlier. However, the aluminum foil for Orsaline packaging was completely exempted from import taxes.

Now, manufacturers have to pay customs duty at 25 per cent, previously 5.0 per cent.

Also, a fresh supplementary duty at 25 per cent and regulatory duty at 3.0 per cent have also been imposed on the aluminum foil used for packaging...