Bangladesh: Import (general)
Important: Be sure to check both general and product-based categories for relevant information. Product-based categories include parts and accessories unless otherwise specified. See disclaimer below and use independent care before relying on this information.
Most goods imported into Bangladesh, regardless of entered value, are required to submit to a Pre-Shipment Inspection. For further details see field for "Pre-Shipment Inspection/Other Pre-Shipment Requirements".
Bangladesh observes a boycott of Israel.
Imports may not ship on Israeli flag vessels.
No vessel or aircraft used for shipments to Bangladesh may call on any port in Israel.
(Last updated on 2012-05-18)
Bangladesh uses the Harmonized Tariff System for tariff classification.
Tariff rates are set at 10, 15, 20, and 25 %. Certain products are exempt from duties.
Additional taxes/charges which may apply:
(Last updated on 2011-12-27)
Specific duty rates are based on net weight.
Ad valorem duties are based on value assessed as follows: CFR value, plus insurance fee (1%) and landing charge (1%).
Bangladesh also applies the WTO Customs Valuation agreement. According to this agreement, there are six acceptable methods of determining customs value. Typically the first method is used (unless the buyer and seller are related parties). When the value cannot be obtained this way, or is rejected by customs, one of the other methods is to be used, in descending order:
See additional information on the WTO website under WTO Customs Valuation.
(Last updated on 2012-12-21)
Most goods do not require an import license. The Ministry of Commerce requires registration of each importer. Prior approval is required to import goods on the restricted list. Certain restricted goods may be imported only by authorized users. There are no tariff quotas on imports.
(Last updated on 2012-02-17)
All goods from Israel, Serbia and/or Montenegro are prohibited.
Prohibited articles may include the following: artificial mustard oil, eggs (except hatching eggs), fishing nets (gillnets), grass, horror comics, lard and tallow oil, lard, live pigs, motorbikes more than three years old, nylon and polyethylene ropes, obscene and subversive literature or similar types of materials; opium, pig and poultry fat, pig hair, poppy seeds and dried posto dana, raw sugar, selected insecticides, selected petroleum products, single phase electricity meters solid or semi-solid palm oil, some kinds of cloth, tendu leaves, un-denatured ethyl alcohol (80% or higher) and other denatured spirits of any strength, used or new rags, vessels more than 15 years old, wine, woven fabrics of silk or silk waste.
Restricted articles may include the following, in alphabetical order: goods bearing pictures or writing which is obscene or of a religious connotation which may injure the religious feelings of any class of Bangladeshi citizens; printed material, posters, video tapes, etc. containing matters likely to outrage the religious feelings and beliefs of any class of Bangladeshi citizens; unless otherwise specified, old, second-hand and reconditioned goods; unless otherwise specified, all kinds of waste; reconditioned office equipment (i.e., photocopier, typewriter, telex, computer, phone, fax machine).
(Last updated on 2012-10-25)
Foreign exchange is controlled by the government through the central bank, the Bangladesh Bank, POB 325, Dhaka; phone: +88 2 712 0357; fax: +88 2 712 0336; email: acu@bb.org.bd; kazi.sayedur@bb.org.bd
It administers foreign exchange control through authorized commercial banks and 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.
The unit of currency is the BDT = Bangladeshi Taka [৳] (subdivided into 100 Poisha).
(Last updated on 2013-01-24)
A Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) is required. Such an inspection involves a physical inspection of the goods and in addition a price comparison of the merchandise in order to:
The Standards Import Inspection Regulations (SIIR) issued by the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS), Plot 55745, Block 8, Main Airport Rd. POB B0 48, Gaborone; phone: +267 390 3200; fax: +267 390 3120; email: infoc@hq.bobstandards.bw; require certification for a variety of imported goods in order to clear customs (see notice below under Standards).
For more information concerning BOBS requirements contact:
(Last updated on 2013-02-26)
A commercial invoice is required for every commercial shipment and should conform to the information requirements described in our definition.
At least three (3) original, signed copies should be sent to the consignee or the agent thereof with the other shipping documents. The shipper should confirm the exact number of copies required with the consignee.
Country of origin information should be included, unless a separate certificate of origin is requested.
A pro-forma invoice is needed in advance for the required letter of credit (L/C).
Each non-commercial shipment will also require a pro-forma invoice.
For airfreight shipments, in most cases, the shipping documents should accompany the cargo and/or the airwaybill (AWB).
For more information on preparing and distributing commercial invoices, see GISTnet headings: Commercial Invoice and Shipping Document Distribution Based on Specific Functional Needs.
(Last updated on 2012-02-17)
A packing list is recommended to facilitate customs clearance.
In general, it is recommended that a packing list be used with all shipments containing more than one shipping unit of packaged cargo. Most countries require a packing list be provided together with the commercial invoice. The required information must be consistent with all information shown on the commercial invoice.
At least three (3) copies of the packing list should be included as part of the shipping documents sent to the consignee or the agent thereof. The exact contents of each package should be clearly identified. This should include each item's gross weight and net weight and each package's marks and numbers.
(Last updated on 2012-11-01)
A properly prepared transport document is required for transportation purposes and as a source document for customs clearance purposes at the port of entry.
For ocean cargo, three (3) copies of an ocean bill of lading are required.
"To order" B/Ls are acceptable.
For detailed information on completing a bill of lading, please see our GISTnet Interactive Bill of Lading Exhibit.
Scroll down to see the form, and click on any data field for details of the information required there.
For airfreight, an air waybill (AWB) is required.
(Last updated on 2012-10-04)
When required by the buyer/consignee or the terms of a letter of credit (L/C); a shipper should consult with the customer in Bangladesh to determine the exact number of C/O copies needed.
At the very least, three (3) copies should be prepared, using the general certificate of origin (CO, C/O) form that is available from a commercial printer.
Once completed, each C/O must be signed and each signature must be notarized.
Following notarization, each C/O must be certified by a recognized Chamber of Commerce.
(Last updated on 2012-10-04)
Every import shipment to Bangladesh is required to be covered by shipping insurance underwritten by the Sadaran Bima Corporation or any other Bangladeshi insurance company.
A copy of the insurance certificate or the insurance policy is required to be included among the shipping documents.
(Last updated on 2011-12-26)
All Wood Packing Material (WPM) must be made from debarked wood. It must be treated, certified and stamped with the internationally standard WPM Mark, according to the ISPM-15 Standard.
Review "International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures" document as outlined in Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade, issued by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), Plant Protection Service, U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, I-00100 Rome, Italy; fax: +39 6 570 56347; e-mail: ippc@fao.org
Also see Overview on Wood Packaging Material as it applies to EU rules governing transportation Packaging (including dunnage) and New Import Requirements for wood and wood packaging material to prevent the introduction of organisms harmful to plants and plant products.
To prevent the spread of Pine Wood Nematode (PWN) in EU countries, consignments of coniferous wood originating from outside Europe and from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey must carry a phytosanitary certificate
Contact: Plant Protection Wing, Dept. of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh; phone: +88 2 913 1295; fax:+88 2 911 1554; e-mail: dppw@dae.gov.bd
(Last updated on 2012-04-15)
Exporters should consult with their customers to confirm any special packing requirements.
In general, follow standard shipping practices.
Export packing must be strong enough to withstand weather conditions, pilferage, and rough handling during the cargo's through transportation.
Each package should be uniquely numbered if there is more than one shipping unit in the consignment and each package should be marked with: contents & quantity, name & address of consignee, country of origin, port of loading, port of discharge, net weight, gross weight, cubic measurement and marks & numbers.
Dangerous goods require the use of U.N. Performance Oriented Packaging (UN POP).
Straw or hay used in packing must be certified to be free of insects and disease.
(Last updated on 2012-10-05)
Exporters should confirm with their customers regarding product-specific packaging and labeling requirements.
Generally, labeling must show country of origin and complete manufacturer's name and address.
Specific packaging and labeling requirements apply to food, agricultural and chemical products and to other products and commodities.
Obscene words or transcriptions are not permitted.
(Last updated on 2012-01-12)
Product standards are regulated by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), 116/A, Tejgaon Industrial Area, BD-1208 Dhaka; phone: +880 2 887 0275; fax: +880 2 913 1581; email: bsti@bangla.net, dg_ bsti@bangla.net
Also see ISO Standards Membership and BSTI details.
Note: Certain products are subject to standards requirements.
(Last updated on 2013-02-19)
Important: Exercise independent care before relying on information contained herein. Although we strive to ensure all information is correct and current, GISTnet assumes no liability for detrimental reliance on this information. Trade requirements may change with little or no prior notification, de-facto requirements in certain countries vary from official regulations, and particular shipments and/or importers may have special destination customs arrangements. We encourage you to check with the importer or its customs agent in the destination country for specific importation requirements for specific products and circumstances. We ask your help with feedback (cidb@gistnet.com) concerning information which may be outdated or incomplete.
