Your step-by-step guide to investment related procedures in Bangladesh

Export

In order to export from Bangladesh, each exporter must first obtain the Export Registration Certificate at the Chief Controller of Import and Export Regional Office. The exporter also needs to register with the Export Promotion Bureau and with the relevant Sector Association. Prior to this, the exporter needs to be in possession of some common documents such as Trade License, TIN Certificate, VAT Registration Certificate and Company’s Bank Account. The exporter is also required to have a contract with the buyer (importer in the destination country or his/her representative) based on which the goods will be produced and exported.

Some other licences and certificates are required for exportation depending on the product, the destination, and whether the consignment is shipped through airport or sea port.

Custom clearance is processed by the Clearing and Forwarding Agents (C&F) authorized by the Customs and the shipment is usually processed by the freight forwarders.

Find below the procedures listed by products and destination countries or regions.

Exporting Fresh Vegetables

Major portion of the fresh vegetables exported from Bangladesh goes to Middle-Eastern countries, EU region and Far-East countries. Vegetables exported to various countries consist of different types of gourds, beans, chili, papaya, and leafy vegetables among others. The export procedures included here are applicable for HS code 07 with the exception of 0701, 0710, 0711, 0712, and 0713.

In addition to the common requirements for exports, a fresh vegetables exporter must register as a horticultural products exporter and obtain the Phytosanitary Certificate at the Department of Agricultural Extension.

All the fresh vegetables exported from Bangladesh are shipped through air way. The following procedures consider the case of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka.
- to the Middle-East
  
  The exporter must obtain a Certificate of Origin in Bangladesh for exemption from Import tariff at the Customs in destination airport.
- to the EU
  
  Contract farming is mandatory in order to export fresh vegetables to EU. To get duty-free quota-free market access in the EU, an exporter has to obtain GSP Certificate from Export Promotion Bureau in Bangladesh.
Exporting Fresh Vegetables
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Exporting Live and Chilled Fish

The export procedure of live and chilled fish documented here is applicable for items under HS codes 0301, 0302, and 0304.

In order to export live and chilled fish from Bangladesh, an exporter must obtain licence from the Fish Inspection and Quality Control (FIQC) under Department of Fisheries for his packing center. For each consignment of export, Salubrity Certificate from FIQC is essential.
Due to the perishable nature of the product, live and chilled fish are exported through airport. The following procedures include the process of exporting live and chilled fish via Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka
- to the Middle-East
  
  No additional certificate is required for this destination other than the general requirements.
- to China
  
  The exporter must register with the Chinese Authority through FIQC in order to export live and chilled fish to China. For each consignment, the exporter also has to obtain an additional health certificate alongside Salubrity Certificate from FIQC.
Exporting Live and Chilled Fish
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Exporting Shrimps

Bangladesh exports both freshwater and seawater shrimps. The procedure documented here is applicable for exporting frozen shrimp under HS codes 030616, 030617 and 030626.
In order to export shrimp to the EU, the exporter must obtain EU Approval through FIQC. For each consignment, an additional health certificate, EU Veterinary Certificate has to be obtained from FIQC. To get duty-free quota-free market access in the EU, the exporter will have to register with Export Promotion Bureau to obtain GSP Certificate.
- to the EU
  
  In order to export shrimp to the EU, the exporter must obtain EU Approval through FIQC. For each consignment, an additional health certificate, EU Veterinary Certificate has to be obtained from FIQC. To get duty-free quota-free market access in the EU, the exporter will have to register with Export Promotion Bureau to obtain GSP Certificate.
- to Japan
  
  The exporter must register with Export Promotion Bureau to obtain GSP Certificate to get access duty-free quota-free market access in Japan.
Exporting Shrimps
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Exporting Leather Goods

Bangladesh currently exports finished leather (HS code 41), leather goods (HS code 42) and leather footwear (HS code 64) to 53 countries such as China, UAE, EU, Japan and USA among others. Leather goods that are exported to various countries include handbags, musical instrument containers, clothing accessories, belts, gloves, wallet, cardholder, leather pouches etc. The export procedure documented here is applicable for leather goods and does not include leather footwear.
To export any kind of manufacturing goods including leather goods, an Approval for Removal of Goods for Export from the local VAT Office is a must. This approval is required for each consignment. A leather goods exporter also must be a member of one of the sector associations to obtain the Export Certificate for each consignment.

Leather goods are shipped through both air way and seaports. The procedure described here only includes the process of exporting leather goods through one of the private depots under the Chittagong Port Authority.
- to China
  
  The exporter must obtain Certificate of Origin in Bangladesh to be exempt from Import Tariff at the Customs in destination port.
- to the EU
  
  To get duty-free quota-free access to EU market, the exporter has to obtain GSP Certificate by registering with Export Promotion Bureau.
- to the UAE
  
  There is no additional requirements for exporting leather goods to this destination.
- to the USA
  
  To get exemption for Import Tariff at the Customs in destination port, the exporter has to obtain Certificate of Origin in Bangladesh.
- to Japan
  
  The exporter must obtain GSP Certificate from Export Promotion Bureau to get duty-free quota-free access to this destination.
Exporting Leather Goods
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Exporting Jute Goods

Bangladesh exports jute goods such as jute yarn, twine, ropes, mats, various kinds of bags, packaging sacks and bags, slippers, floor runners, panels, and many other products. The export procedure described here is applicable for HS codes 5303, 5307, 5310 and 630510.

In order to export jute goods from Bangladesh, an exporter must first obtain licence from Department of Jute. In addition to other general requirements for export, a jute exporter has to obtain Approval for Removal of Goods for Export from local VAT Office for each consignment.
Jute goods are exported through both seaports and air way. The following procedures consider the case of exporting jute goods through private depots under the Chittagong Port Authority.
- to the EU
  
  The exporter has to register with Export Promotion Bureau to obtain GSP Certificate to get duty-free quota-free access to the EU market.
- to Russia
  
  To get duty-free quota-free market access in Russia an exporter must obtain GSP Certificate from Export Promotion bureau for each consignment.
Exporting Jute Goods
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Exporting Plastic Goods

Bangladesh currently exports plastic and plastic goods (HS code 39) to several countries in North America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle-East. Major items that are exported include kitchenware and other household items, PVC pipe, sacks and bags, reservoirs among others. The procedure of exporting plastic products documented here is applicable for HS codes 3917-3926.

Aside from the general requirements for export, a plastic goods exporter must obtain Approval for Removal of Goods for Export from the local VAT Office for each consignment.

Plastic goods are shipped through seaports and air way. This procedure considers the case of exporting plastic goods via private depots under the Chittagong Port Authority.
- to the EU
  
  In order to get duty-free quota-free access to EU market, the exporter must register with Export Promotion Bureau to obtain GSP Certificate. The exporter also requires Certificate of Origin to get this benefit.
- to the USA
  
  The exporter must obtain Certificate of Origin in Bangladesh to get exemption from Import Tariff at the Customs in destination port.
Exporting Plastic Goods
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