How to check if your mobile is illegal or not

Published : Thursday, 30 October, 2025 at 3:30 PM Count : 37

After a long delay, Bangladesh is finally set to block unauthorised mobile phones from December -- a major step to curb digital fraud, enhance network security, and revive the country’s struggling handset manufacturing industry.

To this end, the government is set to launch a system called the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR).

Officials of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), however, confirmed that handsets already in use will remain operational for now so that consumers do not face sudden disruption.

Under the new system, only approved, standard‑compliant and legally imported mobile phones will be allowed to connect. Illegal or cloned IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) devices will not be able to access the network.

Speaking at a press conference held at the BTRC headquarters in the capital’s Agargaon yesterday (29 October), Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, said inaccurate user information and widespread use of illegal devices continue to hinder crime control efforts.

Quoting a Bangladesh Bank report, he said 73% of digital fraud is linked to unauthorised handsets, while the National Board of Revenue loses around Tk500 crore annually in unpaid duties. He added that devices identified as illegal would initially be placed on a grey list rather than immediately shut down.

Taiyeb emphasised that the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) is not merely a technical platform, but a security mechanism that verifies device authenticity through National ID, SIM registration, and IMEI data, helping to reduce fraud, identity forgery, and irregularities in mobile financial transactions.

What to do before buying a new mobile phone

The BTRC has stated that from December 16, before purchasing a mobile phone from any source (retail stores, online shops, e-commerce sites, etc.), its validity must be verified. Additionally, the purchase receipt should be kept. If the mobile phone is valid, it will automatically be registered in the NEIR system.

How to check if your mobile phone is valid

Step 1: Go to the messaging option on your phone and type KYD<space> followed by the 15-digit IMEI number. For example: KYD 123456789012345.

Step 2: After typing the IMEI number, send the message to 16002.

Step 3: You will receive a reply message indicating whether the mobile phone is valid.

Registration of mobile phones purchased or received as gifts from abroad

Mobile phones legally purchased or received as gifts from abroad will initially be activated on the network. Within the next 30 days, instructions will be sent via SMS on how to submit the required information online. After verification of the submitted information, only valid mobile phones will remain active on the network.

How to register a mobile phone bought or received from Abroad

Step 1: Visit the portal neir.btrc.gov.bd and register your personal account.

Step 2: Go to the ‘Special Registration’ section of the portal and enter the phone’s IMEI number.

Step 3: Upload photos or scanned copies of the required documents (passport visa/immigration stamp, purchase receipt, etc.) and then click the submit button.

Step 4: If the mobile phone is valid, it will be automatically registered. If it is not valid, the customer will be notified via SMS and the phone will be disconnected from the network.

This service can also be availed through the customer service or care center of your mobile operator.

According to the traveler (passenger) baggage rules, an individual can bring one mobile phone from abroad duty-free, in addition to one previously used personal phone on the network. Additional phones can be imported by paying the applicable customs duty.

Documents required for special registration

1. Scan or photo of the passport’s personal information page.

2. Scan or photo of the passport page showing the immigration arrival stamp.

3. Scan or photo of the purchase receipt.

4. Scan or photo of the customs duty payment proof (if more than one mobile phone).

For mobile phones received as gifts:

1. Scan or photo of the passport’s personal information page.

2. Scan or photo of the passport page showing the immigration arrival stamp.

3. Scan or photo of the customs duty payment proof (if more than one handset).

4. Scan or photo of the purchase receipt.

5. A certificate or declaration from the gift giver (required only for gifted phones).

For mobile phones received by airmail

1. Scan or photo of the sender’s passport personal information page or national ID (if applicable).

2. Scan or photo of the recipient’s national ID.

3. Scan or photo of the purchase receipt.

4. Scan or photo of the customs duty payment receipt (if more than one handset).

Process to check the current status of used handsets

All handsets currently active on mobile networks will be automatically registered by December 16. Handsets used before December 16 do not require separate registration. The current status of a used handset can be checked as follows:

Step 1: Dial *16161# from the handset.

Step 2: When the automatic box appears, enter the 15-digit IMEI number of the handset and send it.

Step 3: A return SMS will provide the updated status of the handset.

This service can also be accessed through the neir.btrc.gov.bd portal or via the customer care center of your mobile operator.

Procedure for de-registering a registered handset

From December 16, if a customer wishes to sell or transfer a used handset, it can be done through de-registration. When de-registering, the last four digits of the customer’s National ID (NID) must be provided. A customer’s used handset can be de-registered using the following methods:

(a) Citizen Portal (neir.btrc.gov.bd)

(b) MNO (Mobile Network Operator) portal

(d) USSD channel (*16161#)

Conditions for de-registration

(a) The SIM used in the handset for de-registration must be registered under the customer’s own NID.

(b) For handsets with a cloned or duplicate IMEI, the next user’s SIM number must be provided as additional information during de-registration.

De-registration process for corporate SIM users

Corporate SIM users will be notified via SMS to provide their personal NID information through the USSD channel or the Citizen Portal within 30 days.

Based on the submitted information, de-registration can be carried out using either the personal NID or the Key Contact Point (KCP) NID. Otherwise, de-registration can only be completed using the KCP’s NID.

Procedure for blocking a stolen or lost handset

If a customer’s handset is stolen or lost, it can be locked or unlocked at any time through the Citizen Portal (neir.btrc.gov.bd), mobile apps, or the mobile operator’s customer service center.

How customers without internet access can use NEIR services

Mobile phone users can access NEIR services from anywhere in the country via the USSD channel, the NEIR Citizen Portal (neir.btrc.gov.bd), mobile apps, or the mobile operator’s customer care center. Customers without internet access can use the USSD channel or dial 121 to receive NEIR services through the relevant operator’s customer care center.

Requirements for handset manufacturing or import

Currently, registered manufacturers with the Commission produce the majority of handsets demanded in the country. In addition, registered vendors import a limited number of handset models that cannot be produced domestically. The conditions for manufacturing or importing handsets are as follows:

(a) Handsets must be manufactured or imported in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Commission.

(b) The IMEI numbers of the manufactured or imported handsets must be submitted to the Commission in the specified format before marketing.

(c) Handsets whose IMEI numbers are not submitted to the Commission prior to marketing will not be allowed to access the network, even if they are legally manufactured or imported.

Requirements for handset sellers

The conditions for selling handsets are as follows:

(a) The IMEI of a handset must be verified before taking delivery from the manufacturer or importer.

(b) Sellers must refrain from selling handsets with fake or counterfeit IMEIs (those not listed in the BTRC database), as such handsets will not be allowed to access the network.

How to get information about NEIR

For any information related to NEIR, customers can call the BTRC help desk at 100 or the mobile operator’s customer care number 121. Information can also be obtained directly from the operator’s customer care center.

FP/MI