Country Information - Bangladesh (People's Republic of) Country Information - Bangladesh (People's Republic of)
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| ISO code: | bd |
| Name: | Bangladesh (People's Republic of) |
| Region: | Southwest Asia |
| Primary language: | Bengali |
| English: | Check first |
| Time zone(s) (from GMT): | +6:00 |
| Telephone country code: | 880 |
| Commercial holidays: | New Year's Day, January 1; Martyrs' Day, February 21; Eid-al-Adha (February 2, 2004); Independence Day, March 26; Labor Day, May 1; Buddha Purnima (varies--May 16, 2003/May 4, 2004); Janmashtami (varies--August 20, 2003/September 6, 2004); Revolution Day, November 7; Eid-al-Fitr (varies--November 26, 2003/November 14, 2004); Shabe-e-Quadr (varies--November 22, 2003/November 10, 2004); Christmas, December 25. Normal work week is Sunday - Thursday. For further details on holidays, see also http://www.holidayfestival.com/. |
| Major berth service ports: | Chittagong U.S. Schedule K port codes, as needed for AES, are available at this site: http://www.marad.dot.gov/statistics/schedulek/schedulek.html. |
| Major international airports: | Dhaka (airport code: DAC) A listing of airport codes is available at this site: http://www.flyaow.com/citycodeg.htm. |
| U.S. export restrictions: | Normal U.S. export requirements and restrictions apply. For detailed U.S. export information, please refer to GISTnet library coverage of this topic under U.S. Export Regulations. You may also refer directly to the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) as a starting point for export restrictions, and the U.S. Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (FTSR) for export declaration requirements. |
| Relevant trade agreements: | Bangladesh is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, (SAARC), along with Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). http://www.wto.org/ |
| General import information and restrictions: | Bangladesh uses the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) for commodity classification. Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is required for most shipments to Bangladesh valued at US$5000 or above. Bangladesh observes a boycott of Israel, no vessel or aircraft used for shipments to Bangladesh may call on any port in Israel. For detailed information on compliance with US Anti-boycott laws, see Gistnet library coverage under restrictive trade practice and boycotts. Imports from Israel as well as Serbia and Montenegro are prohibited. Some goods are restricted or prohibited. See lists below under "other products". |
| Import license/permit requirements: | Import licenses are not required for most goods. Prior approval is required to import goods on the restricted list. (See lists below under "Other Products".) Coordinate closely with importer in Bangladesh regarding specific requirements. The import permit system is now automatic, and the cumbersome procedure for opening letters of credit has been simplified. Bangladesh has no tariff quotas on imports. |
| Letter of credit or foreign exchange controls: | Exchange control is administered by the Bangladesh Bank through commercial banks and authorized financial institutions. Unless otherwise specified, all imports must be made by opening an irrevocable letter of credit. Importers are required to have Letter of Credit Authorization (LCA) forms. |
| Official Packaging and Labeling Requirements: | In general, follow standard shipping practices. Packages should be numbered if there are more than one in a shipment. Dangerous goods require U.N. Performance Oriented Packaging (UN POP). Straw or hay used in packing must be certified to be free of insects and disease. Specific packaging and labeling requirements may apply to certain products and commodities. Exporters should check with their customers for applicable product-specific requirements, if any. |
| ATA Carnet: | Not accepted |
| Commercial invoice: | Required for commercial shipments. In general, conform to information requirements described in definition of commercial invoice. Include information on country of origin, unless a separate certificate is requested. Provide at least three (3) original signed copies to be forwarded to consignee or consignee's agent. For more information on preparing and distributing commercial invoices, see Common/Generic Documentation Requirements and General Document Distribution procedures. For airfreight shipments, documents in most cases should accompany cargo. See airwaybill (AWB). A pro-forma invoice is needed in advance for the required letter of credit (L/C). Also, for non-commercial shipments, prepare a pro-forma invoice. Shipper should verify with the customer regarding the exact number of copies required. |
| Packing list: | In general, a packing list is required for all shipments containing more than one shipping unit of packaged cargo when the exact content of each package is not already clearly identified with its respective gross and net weight, and marks and numbers, on the commercial invoice. See definition of packing list for required information, which must be consistent with all information shown on the commercial invoice. Include least three (3) copies as part of shipping documents provided to consignee. |
| Transport document: | A properly prepared transport document is required. For ocean cargo, three (3) copies of an ocean bill of lading are required. There are no regulations specifying the form for bills of lading required. To order bills are accepted. For detailed information on completing a bill of lading, please see our interactive bill of lading exhibit. (Scroll down to see the form, and click on any field for details on the information that goes in that box.) For air cargo, an airwaybill (AWB) is required. |
| Certificate of origin: | When required by the buyer (consignee) or letter of credit (L/C), prepare at least three (3) copies using general certificate of origin (CO, C/O) form, certified by a legal chamber of commerce. Consult with customer in Bangladesh regarding exact number of copies required. |
| Cargo insurance: | All shipments to Bangladesh are required to be insured in Bangladesh. The Sadaran Bima Corporation or any Bangladesh insurance company must underwrite all insurance on imports. |
| Pre-shipment inspection certificate: | Pre-shipment inspections are required for most shipments to Bangladesh valued over US $5000. For more information, including a list of exceptions, contact Bureau Veritas, 7955 N.W. 12th St., Suite 400, Miami, FL 33126, tel: (305) 593-7878; fax: (305) 593-7877; http://www.bivac.com/us/client/index.htm. |
| Plants: | A phytosanitary certificate is required for importation of plants and unprocessed plant products. APHIS inspects and certifies live plants and unprocessed plant products to assure that they conform to health and sanitary requirements prescribed by the country of destination. Specific country requirements may be obtained from the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture) 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737, (301) 734-8537; fax: (301) 734-5786 (Plant Protection and Quarantine), http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/exports/, who have access to the EXCERPT database. Most exporters of plant products will have arranged for inspection and certification by their local state or country agricultural inspectors, in which case the local inspection certificate may be presented to any USDA office in exchange for a USDA (federal) phytosanitary certificate. Inspections may also be carried out by APHIS inspectors located in major U.S. cities, ports and airports, or by delegated state and county agricultural inspectors operating in or close to production/packaging facilities. A good resource is available on-line from the USDA, entitled: Agricultural Export Transportation Handbook. Since requirements are complex and subject to change at any time, U.S. exporters should seek current information directly from the importer prior to shipment. |
| Animals: | A health certificate issued by the USDA is required for animals and unprocessed animal products. Specific country requirements may be obtained from APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture) 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737, (301) 734-7885; fax: (301) 734-6402 (Veterinary Services), http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/. Most exporters of animals and animal products will have arranged for inspection and certification by their local, state, or county agricultural inspectors, in which case the local inspection certificate may be presented to any USDA office in exchange for a USDA (federal) health certificate or (in the case of certain animal products, a phytosanitary certificate). Inspections may also be carried out by APHIS inspectors located in major U.S. cities, ports and airports. A good resource is available on-line from the USDA, entitled: Agricultural Export Transportation Handbook. Since requirements are complex and subject to change at any time, U.S. exporters should seek current information directly from the importer prior to shipment. Some animal products are prohibited from import. |
| Processed Food: | A radiation certificate, certifying the foods have not been exposed to radioactivity, may be required for some foodstuffs. Contact: The Office of Food Safety and Technical Services at the Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 14th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., Room 5545-S, Washington, D.C. 20250, tel: (202) 720-1301; fax: (202) 690-0677, http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html |
| Pharmaceuticals: | Imports of drugs and pharmaceuticals require special certification. Check with the customer in Bangladesh for specific requirements. A free sale certificate for pharmaceuticals is available from the Food and Drug Administration, HFD-310, 7520 Standish Place, Room 166, Rockville, MD 20855, tel: (301) 594-0063 or 594-1065; fax: (301) 594-0165, http://www.fda.gov/oia/drugnew.htm. (Note: Scroll down on the page to see the information on obtaining a certificate for export of pharmaceutical products.) |
| General consumer products: | A fumigation certificate is required for import of used clothing. A certificate of cleanliness is required for textiles. |
| Other products: | Some imports are prohibited or restricted for social, economic or religious reasons. Restrictions include a variety of raw materials, textiles, oils, alcoholic beverages and second-hand items. Exporters should check with their customers concerning specific commodities. Prohibited articles: live pigs, pig and poultry fat, eggs (except hatching eggs), poppy seeds and dried posto dana, grass, opium, tendu leaves, lard, lard and tallow oil, solid or semi-solid palm oil, raw sugar, un-denatured ethyl alcohol (80% or higher) and other spirits denatured of any strength, wine, artificial mustard oil, selected petroleum products, woven fabrics of silk or silk waste, pig hair, some kinds of cloth, selected insecticides, nylon and polyethylene ropes, fishing nets (gillnets), used or new rags, vessels more than 15 years old, motorbikes more than three years old, and single phase electricity meters. Restricted articles include: horror comics, obscene and subversive literature or similar types of materials; reconditioned office equipment (i.e. photocopier, typewriter, telex, computer, phone, fax machine); printed material, posters, video tapes, etc. containing matters likely to outrage the religious feelings and beliefs of any class of the citizens of Bangladesh; unless otherwise specified, old, second-hand and reconditioned goods; unless otherwise specified, all kinds of waste; and goods bearing pictures or writing which is obscene or of a religious connotation which may injure the religious feelings of any class of Bangladesh citizens. Imports of iron and steel require a producer's certificate of conformity. |
| Consular missions in U.S.: | Los Angeles: Consulate General, 10850 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1250, Los Angeles, CA 90024, tel: (310) 441-9399; fax: (310) 441-4458. New York: Consulate General, 211 E. 43rd St., Suite 502, New York, N.Y. 10017, tel: (212) 599-6767 or 599-6850; fax: (212) 682-9211. Washington: Embassy, 3510 International Drive N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, tel: (202) 244-0183; fax: (202) 244-5366; email: info@bangladoot.org; http://www.bangladoot.org/. |
| Representative chamber of commerce: | U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20062-2000, tel: (202) 463-5732; fax: (202) 463-3173.
American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, http://www.amchambd.org/. |
| Government information: | General government website: (Click on desired ministry) http://www.bangladeshgov.org/. Ministry of Commerce, Bhaban No. 3, First Floor, Secretariat, Dhaka 1000, tel: (2) 861-9006; fax: (2) 861-5741. |
| U.S. Embassy (commercial attaché): | U.S. Embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, tel: (880) (2) 8824700/22; fax: (880) (2) 8823744; http://www.usembassy-dhaka.org. Commercial Office: tel: 880-2-882-4700; fax: 880-2-882-3744; email: ustc-dhaka@state.gov. |
| U.S. Country Commercial Guide: | http://www.usatrade.gov/website/ccg.nsf/ShowCCG |
| U.S. ITA Trade Information: | http://www.trade.gov/td/tic/ |
| Other: | U.S. Trade Center, 122/123 Elephant Lane, Moghbazar, Dhaka 1217, tel: (2) 831891 or 831892; fax: (2) 834909.
U.S. Bangladesh Business Council, http://www.usbbc.com/index.html. |
| Business Customs: | Bangladeshi businessmen are usually very courteous. Foreign visitors often find that hosting small meals for their Bangladeshi agents, representatives, or business contacts helps to smooth business negotiations. Visitors may also be invited to share meals as guests of their Bangladeshi hosts. |