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How to Check If Your Mobile Phone Is Legal in Bangladesh?

Technology Desk

Starting 16 December 2025, any illegal or unregistered mobile phone in Bangladesh will stop working on local mobile networks. The rule will not affect phones already in use before this date.

The move comes under the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), launched by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to tackle fake IMEI phones, reduce revenue loss, and ensure consumer protection.

Under NEIR, all unregistered, cloned, fake, or illegal IMEI devices will be automatically flagged and disconnected. Only officially imported and approved handsets will remain active on mobile networks.

What You Must Do Before Buying a New Phone

From 16 December onwards, buyers must verify every handset before purchase, whether bought from shops, online marketplaces, or e-commerce sites.

Buyer checklist:

  • Verify the phone’s IMEI status.
  • Keep the purchase receipt safely.
  • Once verified, the device is automatically registered under NEIR.

How to Check If Your Phone Is Legal (IMEI Verification)

You can check the legal status of any mobile phone in Bangladesh using SMS:

IMEI Check Method (SMS):

  1. Go to your phone’s message option
  2. Type: KYD 15-digit IMEI
  3. Send to 16002
  4. You will receive an SMS confirming whether your phone is legal, illegal, or cloned

Tip: Dial *#06# to find your IMEI number.

Phones Brought or Gifted From Abroad

Imported phones will initially connect to the local network. The user will then get an SMS instructing them to register the device within 30 days through the NEIR portal.

Registration Process for Foreign Phones

  1. Visit neir.btrc.gov.bd
  2. Create a personal account
  3. Go to “Special Registration”
  4. Enter the phone’s IMEI number
  5. Upload required documents (passport, visa, purchase receipt)
  6. Submit and wait for SMS confirmation

If valid, the phone stays connected. If invalid or cloned, it will be blocked.

Passengers can bring:

  • 1 duty-free handset, plus
  • 1 additional handset with customs duty paid

Required Documents for NEIR Registration

For personal use phones

  • Passport info page
  • Passport immigration stamp page
  • Purchase receipt
  • Customs duty certificate (if bringing more than one phone)

For gifted phones

  • Recipient’s passport info page and stamp page
  • Purchase receipt
  • Gift-giver’s declaration letter
  • Customs duty certificate (if applicable)

For postal or courier deliveries

  • Sender’s passport/NID
  • Recipient’s NID
  • Purchase receipt
  • Customs duty proof (if applicable)

How to Check the Status of Your Existing Phone

If you are already using your phone before 16 December 2025, it will be automatically registered.

To confirm:

  1. Dial *16161#
  2. Enter the 15-digit IMEI
  3. Receive the NEIR registration status via SMS

You can also check via:

  • neir.btrc.gov.bd
  • Mobile operator customer care offices

If You Sell or Transfer Your Phone

You must de-register it from NEIR.

De-registration options

  • NEIR portal: neir.btrc.gov.bd
  • Mobile operator portal/app
  • USSD: *16161#

Important Note:

  • The SIM used in the device must be registered under the owner’s NID
  • For cloned/duplicate IMEI phones, the next user’s SIM number must also be provided

Corporate SIM Users

Companies using bulk SIM connections will get an SMS directing them to update NID information within 30 days through USSD or the Citizen Portal.

De-registration later requires:

  • A personal NID, or
  • The Key Contact Point (KCP) NID

If Your Mobile Phone Is Lost or Stolen

You can block or unblock the lost phone at any time via:

  • NEIR portal
  • NEIR mobile app
  • Mobile operator customer care

People without internet can:

  • Dial *16161#
  • Call the operator helpline 121
  • Visit the nearest customer service center

Guidelines for Manufacturers & Importers

  • Must follow all BTRC production and import rules
  • Must submit IMEI data to BTRC before marketing the handset
  • Unregistered IMEI devices will not be allowed on any network

Guidelines for Mobile Retailers

  • Verify IMEI before accepting or selling stock
  • Do not sell fake, cloned, or unlisted IMEI handsets
  • Selling illegal phones may lead to penalties

For Customer Support

For assistance with NEIR, IMEI checks, or registration:

  • BTRC Help Desk: 100
  • Mobile Operator Customer Care: 121
  • Visit: neir.btrc.gov.bd