Haier Bangladesh accused of importing finished ACs under manufacturing incentives
Haier Bangladesh faces allegations of importing finished ACs, refrigerators and washing machines while benefiting from incentives meant for local manufacturing.
DHAKA — Chinese appliance maker Haier Bangladesh Ltd. is facing allegations that it has used incentives intended for local manufacturing while importing finished air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines.
Industry sources allege that the company has also imported fully assembled variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioning systems by declaring them as capital machinery. They say the practice, if established, could deprive the government of revenue and put local manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage.
Bangladesh offers reduced duties and taxes on machinery and inputs for domestic production of air conditioners, refrigerators and other household appliances. The incentives are intended to promote local manufacturing, technology transfer, employment and lower reliance on imports. NBR maintains separate customs orders covering air-conditioner manufacturing materials and capital machinery imports.
According to industry sources, companies seeking manufacturing incentives for air conditioners are required to have domestic production capability for at least three of five key components: indoor units, outdoor units, condensers, evaporators, and suction and discharge pipes.
The sources allege that Haier has benefited from the manufacturing incentives while importing a significant volume of finished products and components. They have called for an examination of the company’s import records, industrial and commercial import registration certificates, production capacity and eligibility for duty concessions.
98 finished AC systems
An analysis of import data cited by the sources shows that Haier Bangladesh imported 98 central air-conditioning systems from China between 2024 and June 2026. The systems, with a reported capacity of 300,000 BTU, were identified as VRF air conditioners.
Industry representatives allege that the systems were cleared as capital machinery. They have called for customs authorities to determine whether the imported units were genuinely machinery used in a production process or finished products ready for sale.
Bangladesh Customs separately classifies air-conditioning machines under its tariff system, with finished air-conditioning units subject to applicable customs duties and taxes.
Haier also imported 148 finished chest freezers with a capacity of 369 litres, according to the information reviewed by the sources. The company also imported 448 air-conditioner compressors and 448 motors.
45,064 washing machines
Import records cited in the report also show that Haier imported 45,064 washing machines between 2023 and July 2026, with capacities ranging from 7 to 14 kilograms.
The reported annual figures were 10,817 units in 2023, 7,522 in 2024, 20,461 in 2025 and 6,264 through July 2026.
Industry representatives question whether importing such volumes of finished appliances is consistent with the conditions attached to incentives intended for local manufacturing.
They have called for authorities to examine Haier’s bills of entry, import registration certificates, production lines, factory capacity and the concessions received under relevant statutory regulatory orders.
Company does not comment
A reporter visited Haier Bangladesh’s office at Concord Tower in Gulshan-1 seeking the company’s response to the allegations. Staff members initially said company officials were at lunch and asked the reporter to wait or leave.
After more than two hours, no company representative provided a comment.
NBR says violations would trigger action
An NBR member told Kalbela that the government’s incentives are intended to support domestic production, employment and exports. The official said the principal condition is local production of finished goods.
If a company violates the relevant SRO conditions by importing finished goods under declarations for raw materials or machinery, action would be taken, the official said.
The NBR member also said there is no provision for declaring finished goods as capital machinery and that customs and the relevant VAT commissionerate would examine the matter if Haier had received such benefits.
Whether Haier Bangladesh actually violated the conditions, however, would need to be established through customs and tax records, production documents and verification of the company’s manufacturing capacity.
