Bangladesh: Import (product-based)

Plants and plant products (general)

A phytosanitary certificate is required for the import of most plants and plant products.
Fruits and vegetables, except potatoes, are exempt from this requirement.

An additional certificate is required for leaf tobacco.

Tallow for soap and detergent products requires a certificate stating that "the tallow is free from radiation, D.D.B. and/or L.A.B." and this certificate must receive certification and legalization.

(Last updated on 2012-04-17)

Plants and plant products, including seeds, for use as food

Exporters should contact their customers in Bangladesh for information regarding product-specific requirements.
Imports of certain foodstuffs must be covered by a certificate of analysis.

(Last updated on 2011-12-26)

Animals and animal products (general)

A health certificate is required for certain animals, particularly livestock.
A sanitary certificate is required for fish and fish products.
Pig and poultry fat is prohibited.
Eggs (except hatching eggs) are prohibited.
Certain other animal products may be prohibited from import.

(Last updated on 2011-12-15)

Animals: Live

Imports of fish and fish products require a sanitary inspection certificate.
A health certificate is required for livestock.

(Last updated on 2011-12-26)

Animal products: Meat

General requirements for shipping meat and meat products:

• For importation, meat shipped fresh or frozen requires specified inspection and health certification (e.g., a meat inspection certificate) issued by the government of the country of export. Meat must be free of filth, and must be deemed fit for consumption by health officials in the destination country before release for distribution. Meat that has been processed and packaged in such a way as to prevent spoilage during distribution, is subject to generally applicable requirements for importation of processed foods.
• Endangered species: Meat from animals protected under CITES may not be shipped for commercial purposes. In addition, particular countries may prohibit importation of particular species of meat and/or importation of meat from particular countries due to concerns over disease. Such prohibitions vary and are subject to change on very short notice.
  Important: Some countries have additional protected species that are not listed.
• Transportation: Meat that is temperature controlled cargo (either chill or freeze) must arrive in the destination country with its specified temperature range maintained throughout its transportation. Meat that arrives outside of that temperature range, or that has not been maintained continuously at the specified temperature, or that has spoiled, as determined by health officials in country of import, will be condemned. It must then be destroyed, or else downgraded (e.g., limited to animal consumption, or requiring treatment to kill bacteria before distribution).
• Terrorist threat to food supply: Many nations have implemented measures to protect their human and animal food supply from terrorist sabotage. These measures may require pre-importation registration of the supplier, packer and/or supplier, additional supplier documentation and notice of each shipment within a specified time period prior to shipment and/or importation.

(Last updated on 2012-05-17)

Animal products: Seafood

Imports of fish and fish products require a sanitary inspection certificate.

(Last updated on 2011-12-26)

Endangered species

This country is a member of CITES.
Certain endangered species of plants and animals (and/or items made thereof) may be prohibited or require specialized permits or certificates.
For more detailed information check Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

(Last updated on 2012-04-10)

Food products (general)

A "radiation certificate," certifying the foods have not been exposed to radioactivity, may be required for some foodstuffs.
A free sale certificate and/or certificate of analysis may be required for imports of food products.
Palm oil (solid or semi-solid) and raw sugar are prohibited.
Check with customer in Bangladesh for exact requirements.

(Last updated on 2011-12-26)

Food products: Processed/prepared food

Exporters should confirm product-specific requirements with their customers in Bangladesh.
A certificate stating that food products have not been exposed to radioactivity, may be required for some foodstuffs.
A free sale certificate and/or a certificate of analysis may be required for some foodstuffs.

(Last updated on 2011-12-26)

Beverages

Un-denatured ethyl alcohol that is 80% or higher and other denatured spirits of any strength and wine are all prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-12-26)

Pharmaceuticals (general)

Imports of drugs and pharmaceuticals require special certification.
Exporters should confirm product-specific requirements with their customers in Bangladesh.

A free sale certificate and/or a certificate of analysis may be required for imports of drugs and pharmaceuticals.

(Last updated on 2011-12-26)

Pharmaceuticals: Narcotics, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia

Opium is prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-12-15)

Tobacco products

An additional certificate is required for leaf tobacco.

Cigarettes: There are maximum tar and nicotine levels set by the government. Cigarettes must also contain a health warning label on side of packages. Check with importer for correct wording. Cigarette packages must meet specific labeling requirements concerning their trademark, the number of cigarettes included, the name of the producer or importer, the packaging date (year), and batch number.
Cigarette packages also must be labeled with the following warning:
"Health Warning: Smoking is the main cause for lung cancer and diseases and for heart and arteries diseases."
Exporters should check with their importers to ensure that the Arabic wording in the health warning provided by clients meets Bahraini requirements.
The warning panels may appear on the side of the package rather than the front.

(Last updated on 2012-02-11)

Iron and steel products

Imports of iron and steel require a producer's "certificate of conformity."

(Last updated on 2012-02-11)

Machinery and appliances: Telecommunications equipment, radios, TVs, and RF devices

Generally applicable import requirements for telecommunications equipment:

• Appliances that are connected to line power typically require testing and safety certification by an independent laboratory recognized by destination (import) country. There are also safety standards on batteries, particularly rechargeable batteries, that are shipped included in such devices.
• There are two concerns regarding emissions, which also require testing and safety certification by an independent laboratory recognized by destination (import) country:
• Radio frequency interference (RFI): even radios and TV receivers emit weak signals that can interfere with other devices; transmitters, including very low power devices (e.g., cell phones, portable phones) can also cause interference. There are international and/or national standards limiting spurious radio frequency emissions.
• TVs and computer monitors employing cathode ray tube emit very low level gamma radiation, and are subject to maximum radiation standards. (LED and plasma screens, which have all but replaced CRT TVs, do not emit gamma radiation).
• Labeling for point of sale packaging varies by import country, but typical requirements include:
  • Product description
  • Origin country
  • Certifications as to safety, RFI, possibly radiation
  • Warnings: Require safety warnings concerning shock, and radiation if gamma radiation is emitted
  • General consumer product labeling requirements, such as required language(s), name of manufacturer or distributor and how to contact
  • Intellectual property (IP) protection; counterfeit and mis-branded products prohibited
• Gray market goods restrictions may be in place. Importer may have to provide evidence of right to distribute within country of import, and such documentation should be provided before exportation.
• Some countries now require recycling instructions on these types of products.

For these products it is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer before concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

(Last updated on 2012-05-14)

Vehicles (general)

There are a variety of requirements that typically or may apply to the import of automobiles and other highway vehicles and parts thereof, including:

• Safety: Minimum standards and test certification of tires, brakes, electrical systems, headlights, tail lights, safety belts, and crash worthiness, fuel systems/tanks, etc.
• Emissions: Maximum emission standards, a variety of chemicals, which periodically become more strict, and fuel systems/tanks that are sealed.
• Operational design: There may be operational requirements such as the side of the vehicle for the driver position.
• Gray market goods restrictions: Importer may have to provide evidence of right to re-distribute within country of import, and such documentation should be provided before exportation.

(Last updated on 2012-05-14)

Textiles and Apparel: Used wearing apparel and textile products

A "certificate of cleanliness," signed by a physician, is required for used clothing.

(Last updated on 2012-02-11)

Media containing data, including books

Horror comics, obscene and subversive literature or similar types of materials are prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-12-26)

Precious metals, diamonds and gemstones

Rough diamonds may only be imported from countries participating in the Kimberley Process. This is a participating country.
For more information see Diamonds: The Kimberley Process.

(Last updated on 2012-05-16)

Artwork, antiques, cultural artifacts and collectors items

As a member of UNESCO this country is a signatory of the World Heritage Convention, which defines the kind of natural or cultural sites that are to be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List. By signing this Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the World Heritage sites situated on its territory, but also to protect its national heritage.

Illicit Export of Works of Art under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act allows for stolen objects to be seized if there is documentation of it in a museum or institution of a state party and issues of world cultural and natural heritage are affected.

The UNIDROIT (International Institute for the Unification of Private Law) Convention on Stolen or Illicitly Exported Cultural Objects of 1995 calls for the return of illegally exported cultural objects.

For reference contact: UNESCO Headquarters: 1, rue Miollis; F-75732 Paris Cedex 15; France; tel: +33 145 681000; fax: +33 145 671690

(Last updated on 2012-04-30)