The Bangladesh Elevator, Escalator and Lift Importers Association (BEELIA) has called on the government to reinstate elevators and escalators as capital machinery and rationalize the existing duty structure to support the sustainable development of the country’s housing, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.
Speaking at a press conference held in the capital, BEELIA President Md. Shafiul Alam Ujjal said that elevators are no longer luxury items but essential capital equipment in the context of rapid urbanization, high-rise construction, industrial expansion, and inclusive infrastructure development.
He noted that elevators were removed from the capital machinery category in 2023 and reclassified as commercial products. As a result, import duties have been increased consecutively in the fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Consequently, the overall duty burden on elevator imports has risen from approximately 11 percent in 2023 to around 46 percent in 2025.
According to BEELIA, the increased duty burden has significantly raised construction costs in the housing and industrial sectors. Many elevator companies have been forced to scale down operations or shut down entirely, resulting in job losses across the industry.
During the press conference, BEELIA presented several recommendations to the government, including:
Reinstating elevators and escalators as capital machinery;
Reducing the load factor valuation from USD 3 per kilogram to USD 1.50 per kilogram;
Strengthening oversight to prevent misuse of imported raw materials under the guise of local manufacturing;
Simplifying and expediting scaling, valuation, and customs clearance procedures at ports;
Reforming the duty and tax structure to facilitate the import of internationally certified, high-quality elevators.
BEELIA leaders also warned that excessive duties and taxes are encouraging the use of low-cost, low-quality, and reconditioned elevators in many projects, posing serious risks to public safety. They argued that a rationalized duty structure would make internationally certified, safe, and durable elevators more affordable and accessible.
Addressing the event, REHAB President Dr. Ali Afzal said that the high rates of customs duties, VAT, and other taxes on elevator imports are having a direct negative impact on both consumers and the housing industry. He stated that additional duties imposed on internationally recognized elevator brands under the pretext of protecting local industry have significantly increased installation costs in high-rise buildings.
“As a result, the increased cost is ultimately passed on to homebuyers through higher apartment prices per square foot, making home ownership increasingly difficult for middle-income families,” he said.
REHAB Senior Vice President Abdur Razzaq urged the government to pay greater attention to the elevator sector in the interest of planned urbanization, smart city development, and safe infrastructure.
Among others, the press conference was addressed by BEELIA General Secretary Md. Eadul Haque, Advisor Md. Emdad Ur Rahman, Vice President Asim Sarkar, Director Mohammad Zakirul Haque, and Chattogram Representative Md. Yusuf Nabi.
The speakers reiterated that the imposition of what they described as unreasonable duties on elevators is increasing the cost of installing lifts in multi-storied buildings, ultimately driving up housing prices for consumers. They also expressed concern over the growing use of substandard and reconditioned elevators, which they said could compromise public safety.
BEELIA leaders expressed hope that the government would consider the industry’s proposals and take appropriate policy measures to support the development of the housing, industrial, and infrastructure sectors while ensuring access to safe and internationally compliant elevator systems.