Bangladesh
AsiaCapital: Dhaka 路 Currency: Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)
Bangladesh is the world's second-largest apparel exporter after China, with ready-made garments generating over 80% of export earnings and total goods exports pushing past USD 50 billion in 2025. For a small exporter the market is deep but paperwork-heavy: an Export Registration Certificate, ASYCUDA/Single-Window customs filing and product-specific certification are the standing entry gates. Bangladesh is scheduled to graduate from Least Developed Country status in November 2026, which will gradually phase out the duty-free access it long enjoyed in the EU and other markets, so new exporters should plan around evolving preferential terms.
Key exports
Trade agreements
Trade requirements
Select a category to see the rules, documents and agencies for exporting from Bangladesh.
- 1. Compliance requirements Every Bangladeshi exporter must hold a valid Export Registration Certificate and meet product-specific conformity rules before goods can lawfully leave the country. Verified 路 18 May 2026
- 2. Customs formalities Export clearance runs through Bangladesh Customs on the ASYCUDA World platform, with certificates and permits now filed mandatorily via the Bangladesh Single Window. Verified 路 22 Apr 2026
- 3. Authorisation and permits Beyond the export licence, restricted and regulated goods need product-specific permits and No-Objection Certificates from the relevant line agency. May be outdated 路 30 Mar 2026
- 4. Packaging and Labelling Export packaging must satisfy BSTI marking rules, ISPM-15 wood-packaging standards and, above all, the destination market's labelling law. May be outdated 路 10 Apr 2026
- 5. HACCP/SPS requirements Food, fish and agricultural exports must meet sanitary and phytosanitary controls, with HACCP-certified processing and official health or phytosanitary certificates. May be outdated 路 12 Mar 2026
- 6. Tax information Exports are broadly VAT zero-rated and supported by bonded warehousing, duty drawback and cash incentives, but exporters still owe source tax on export proceeds. Verified 路 5 May 2026
- 7. Trade agreements Bangladesh trades under WTO rules and regional deals like SAFTA and APTA, while its 2026 LDC graduation reshapes the preferences new exporters can rely on. Verified 路 28 Apr 2026
- 8. Trade finance providers Exporters access foreign-currency input financing through Bangladesh Bank schemes and commercial bank instruments like back-to-back LCs and export credit. Verified 路 20 May 2026
- 9. Trade promotion agencies The Export Promotion Bureau leads export support, backed by BIDA, sector associations and a national trade portal offering market intelligence and facilitation. Verified 路 14 May 2026
Official agencies
The bodies that register exporters, set standards, clear customs and provide finance in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Customs
Customs & revenueCustoms administration handling export declarations, tariff classification, bonded warehousing and border clearance.
Visit websiteNational Board of Revenue (NBR)
Customs & revenueApex tax authority whose Customs Wing runs export/import clearance, ASYCUDA World and the Bangladesh Single Window.
Visit websiteBangladesh Bank
Trade financeCentral bank overseeing export proceeds, foreign-exchange policy and trade-finance schemes such as the EDF and EFPF.
Visit websiteMinistry of Commerce
MinistryFormulates trade policy, the Export Policy Order and negotiates WTO commitments and regional/bilateral trade agreements.
Visit websiteOffice of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCI&E)
OtherIssues the Export Registration Certificate (ERC) and import/export licences through its Online Licensing Module.
Visit websiteBangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI)
Standards & SPSNational standards body for product certification, testing, metrology and mandatory conformity marking.
Visit websiteBangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)
Trade promotionInvestment authority providing one-stop services for company setup, permits and investment facilitation for exporters.
Visit websiteExport Promotion Bureau (EPB)
Trade promotionLead export-promotion agency: exporter registration, certificates of origin, trade fairs, market intelligence and incentives.
Visit website