Foreign Exchange Operation Department
Bangladesh Bank
Head Office
Dhaka
www.bb.org.bd

All Authorized Dealers in Foreign Exchange and
Airlines/Shippinglines/General Sales Agents/
Travel Agents in Bangladesh

Dear Sirs,

Remittance of surplus earnings by foreign airlines operating in Bangladesh  

Please refer to paragraphs 1 and 2(A), chapter 10 and relevant paragraphs, chapter 12 of the Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions-2018  (GFET),  Vol-1  and  subsequent circulars regarding the instructions on remittances of surplus earnings of foreign airlines operating in Bangladesh.

02. To bring simplification in transaction modalities of foreign airlines,  it has been decided that surplus earnings may be calculated on the basis of passage and freight collections. Accordingly,  ADs shall allow  remittance  on account of  surplus  earnings against  passage and freight  based on  actual realization  provided that (i) all collections are supported by bank statements,  (ii) minimum provision  at 10 percent on  the collections  is maintained for refund of unavailed journeys  and  (iii) necessary  adjustments  are made for  all  disbursements  including accrued expenses, refunds, and income tax paid/payable.  Unused portion of the provision so maintained may be added back in the following periods. Remittance is, however,  to be allowed out of  the fund available, without borrowed one,  in the designated bank account. In addition, it has also been decided that:

(a) Requirement of  Form P/Form P-2  from outgoing passengers  against  sales of tickets  in local currency  will no longer be required. Accordingly, submission of documents as per Appendices 5/56 and 5/57 stipulated at paragraph 2(A)(i) and 2(A)(ii), chapter 10 of GFET shall stand revoked. As such, instructions in relevant paragraphs at chapter 12 of GFET shall stand amended. The instruction to phase out Form P/Form P-2 shall equally be applicable for foreign shippinglines and Bangladeshi airlines/shippinglines operating in international routes. In accordance with revised instructions, applications shall, as required under  paragraphs 12(b), 14(a) and 17, chapter 12 of GFET, be forwarded  to Bangladesh Bank without these forms.

(b) Submission of statement of passage as per appendix 5/44 will not be required for IATA member airlines. Instead, airlines will henceforth submit IATA system generated documents –  (i) BSP airline billing summary and (ii) BSP statement summary, including system generated counter  sales  and excess baggage  sales  report containing  full details of each transaction, and a summary statement of revenue and expenditure as per Annexure-A.

(c)  Airlines  shall no longer be required to submit  copies of  documents, excepting  bank statements, documents against payment of different types of applicable taxes such as FATT, excise duty, embarkation fee, TDS and so on, in support of disbursements. Instead, they shall retain the documents at their end for submission to ADs and inspection team of Bangladesh Bank, as and when required as per paragraph 12(v), chapter 12 of GFET.

03.  In case of non-IATA member airlines,  above instructions shall be applicable excepting 2(b) above.

04. Other  relevant  instructions in this regard  shall remain unchanged. As usual, ADs shall observe KYC and AML/CFT standards, follow usual reporting routine to Bangladesh Bank, and ensure compliance of regulations concerning duties/taxes applicable against the transactions.

Please bring the above instructions, effective immediately, to the notice of your concerned constituents.

Source: https://bb.org.bd/mediaroom/circulars/feod/sep032020feod01e.pdf