Faq

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Here you will find the most frequently asked questions with regards the Bangladesh Trade Portal  and its content.If you do not find an answer to your question below, please let us know by clicking on the Contact Us  link and completing the form provided.

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Q: Can I obtain the information on market background, business partnership and list of import-export Company in Bangladesh by searching into Bangladesh Trade Portal?

Bangladesh Trade Portal provides information regarding the laws, regulations, tariff information and procedures for importing and exporting in Bangladesh.

If you would like to have information about potential business partnerships, list of Export-Import company or opportunities we recommend that you contact the FBCCI, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) or Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).  On their website, you will find information about business opportunities in Bangladesh and contact details.

Q: Do I need to fill in a Customs declaration when I arrive in Bangladesh at an international airport or border crossing?

No. You can just walk through the Nothing to Declare green channel. If you are carrying goods in excess of the duty free allowance or if you are in doubt you must walk through the red channel and declare the goods to the Customs Officer on duty. Click Here  for more information.

Q: Can I look up the Bangladesh Customs Tariff on-line?

Yes.  The complete commodity classification and tariffs applicable in Bangladesh are loaded on this website.  Please Click Here to search and view the tariffs.

Q: Can I bring food or plant materials into Bangladesh?

Yes, as long as they conform to the laws and regulations regarding these materials. Click Here to view the laws, regulations, etc. and look for specific requirements or Click Here to search for any specific measures that may be applicable from time to time.  

Q: Can I bring personal belongings into Bangladesh if I am taking up residence and will they be subject to duty?

Generally, personal effects are exempt from Customs duty as long as these items are not of a commercial nature and are normal household items. These exemptions apply to foreigners taking up residence in Bangladesh, civil servants returning from their mission and students who have graduated abroad and are returning home.  If you are in doubt about the eligibility of certain items you should contact Customs

Q: Does livestock need to be quarantined when brought into Bangladesh?

Not necessarily.  When you obtain an import permit from the Department of Livestock you will be advised of whether this is a requirement.

Q:What are the duty free allowances when entering Bangladesh?

Click Here to view the duty free allowances when entering Bangladesh.

Q: Are goods for diplomatic missions exempt from duty?

Yes. All goods and vehicles for diplomatic missions, international organizations and NGO's approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are exempt from Customs duties. 

Q: Can I clear my goods at any Customs office in Bangladesh or do they have to be cleared at a specific Customs office?

No. You must clear the goods at the Customs office of the border post where the goods are imported or exported.

Q: Do I have to use a Customs Broker for importing or exporting commercial goods?

No.  However, using a Customs Brokers will ensure that all regulatory requirements are properly discharged and may save unnecessary delays. 

Q: Do I have to submit my Customs declaration through Asycuda or can I continue to prepare it manually?

Currently, if you are importing and exporting goods through the Chittagong port you must enter your declaration into the Asycuda system at the Customs office.  A manually prepared declaration is no longer acceptable. Until such time as Asycuda is installed at all other border posts, you must continue to submit a paper declaration as usual.

Q: Do I always need to get an import license before importing goods into Bangladesh?

No.   Most of commodities you will need to apply for an import license from the CCIE.  Some commodities it is not necessary to get an import license. Please Click Here  to search for a list of the goods that are subject to these requirements.

Q: For what goods do I need to get an export license?

Generally, for certain rice products, certain mineral products and certain timber products. Please Click Here  to search for a list of the goods that are subject to these requirements.  

Q: What should I do if I disagree with a decision made by Customs?

If you disagree with a decision made by Customs, you can lodge an appeal within 30 days of the decision being made.  Please consult the Customs Act to know detail.

Q: Are technical standards for various products compulsory when importing these products into Bangladesh?

Yes, Bangladesh has established its own standard of 43 products under Import Policy Order. Please Click Here to see the List of Imported Products brought under Mandatory Certification before Customs clearance

Bangladesh has established a TBT Enquiry Point which can give further guidance in this respect.

Q: What is Import General Manifest (IGM)?

Please Click Here for IMG.

Q: What is Customs duty?

Charge levied on imports and listed in importing country's tariff schedules. Duties may be specific or ad valorem or a combination of the two (ad valorem with a specific minimum, or the greater of the two).

Customs duties are charged under the Customs Act, 1969 [Reference: First Schedule of Bangladesh Customs Tariff (BCT 2015)]. The Customs authority of NBR grants some special exemptions on the statutory rate for certain sectors through Statutory Regulatory Orders (SRO) and order.

Q: What are the different types of rates of duties of Customs?

Please Click Here

Q: What is the value addition requirement for re-exports of an imported goods in the same form from another country?

Minimum 10 % value addition.

Q: How do I find HS Code for my product?

Please Click Here to search commodity .

Q: What is Prohibited Import Items?

Please click here to check prohibited import items.

Q: What is Restricted Import Item?

Please click here to check restricted import items.

Q: What is procedure for Export and Import of samples?

Please check with the CCIE

Q: We have exported in a foreign currency which does not appear in the list of customs. How can we calculate the foreign exchange received for discharging our export obligation?

In such cases, total realized value in Taka as mentioned by bank should be converted into USD by using the USD or BDT exchange rate prevailing on the date of realisation as published by customs through notification.

Q: What are the rules for receipt of advance payment for exports?

An exporter receives advance payment from a buyer, the exporter shall ensure that –

• the shipment of goods is made within one year from the date of receipt of advance payment;
• the rate of interest payable on the advance payment does not exceed LIBOR + 100 basis points; and
• the documents covering the shipment are routed through the bank through whom the advance payment is received.

Q: We are a foreign company who is interested in executing a project for a Bangladeshi Company. Can we open a project office in Bangladesh?

Please check with Board of Investment (BoI)

Q: What is the relationship between Multilateralism (WTO) and FTAs?

Article 1 of GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) which enunciates the most favoured nation (MFN) principle of WTO states that "any advantage, favour, privilege, or immunity granted by any contracting party to any product originating in or destined for any other country shall be accorded immediately and unconditionally to the like product originating in or destined for the territories of all other contracting parties."

However, derogations from this MFN principle are permitted for forming FTAs under specific conditions as per the following provisions of the WTO Agreements:

• Article XXIV of GATT for goods

• Article V of GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) for services.

The specific conditions under Article XXIV of the GATT permitting FTAs, are:

• FTA members shall not erect higher or more restrictive tariff or non-tariff barriers on trade with non-members than existed prior to the formation of the FTA.

• Elimination of tariffs and other trade restrictions be applied to "substantially all the trade between the constituent territories in products originating in such territories."

• Elimination of duties and other trade restrictions on trade within the FTA to be accomplished "within a reasonable length of time," meaning a period of no longer than 10 years

Moreover, the "Enabling Clause", allows developing countries to form preferential trading arrangements without adhering to the conditions under Article XXIV.

Q: Which are the major FTAs / PTAs/CEPAs of Bangladesh?

SAFTA and APTA

Q: How is tariff reduction under an FTA different from WTO tariff negotiation?

For the purposes of FTAs, the "base rate" is the critical element in all aspects of negotiations/phasing that are carried out. The base rate is the applied MFN duty of any year which is decided mutually. In an FTA tariff reduction is generally undertaken with reference to the base rate i.e. from the applied MFN tariffs. However, the WTO negotiations are always based on "bound duty rates" and not the MFN applied duties.

Q: Why are rules of Origin important in the FTA context?

The Rules of Origin are important in the context of making an assessment on the application of preferential tariff under an FTA. Hence, without the rules of origin, the preferential tariffs under an FTA cannot be implemented. Moreover, the non-members to the FTA are not provided with the benefit of the preferential tariffs, agreed between the FTA partners.

Q: What is the procedure for obtaining the certificate of origin?

Please check with EPB CO procedures

Q: What do I need to import animals?

Import Permit is required to import animals from the Department of Livestock.

Q. What are the requirements for general importation of goods to Bangladesh?

Properly filed declaration form together with proof of purchase. Please Click Here to know detail.

Q. Who can be registered on ASYCUDA?

Any individual or company that regularly declares commercial goods movements to Bangladesh Customs. Please Click here for details about ASYCUDA

Q.How to Import into and Export from the Export Processing Zone?

Click Here for details.

Q.How to import by public sector?

Click Here for details.