Country Guide: Bangladesh
Updated: November 17, 2015
Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Passport
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Express Release / Air Waybill (AWB)
- Customs Passbook issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR)
- Packing list / Detailed inventory
- Baggage Declaration Form, completed upon arrival and signed by Customs
- Inspection Order Form (IOF) / Inspection Information Form (IIF)
- Pro-forma Invoice
- Transfer of Residence Certificate (returning Bangladeshi)
- Letter of Employment (foreigners)
- Work Permit (foreigners)
- Tax Exemption Certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomats)
Specific Information
- Bangladeshi citizens and foreigners may import used household goods and personal effects into Bangladesh.
- Duty-free importation is allowed for Embassy, High Commission, United Nations, International Donor agencies and their employees.
- Foreigners, NGO employees and foreign investors must pay duties and taxes for household goods and personal effects.
- Bangladeshi citizens can import personal and household goods at a tax benefit of up to 80% on the assessable value. Citizens must stay abroad with no re-entry for 2 years to qualify for the tax benefit. The first 2 years receive a 40% benefit and 10% each subsequent year. Citizens must obtain a certificate from the Embassy / High Commission stating the period abroad.
- Bangladeshi citizens, foreigners, NGO staff members and foreign investors must complete a Baggage Declaration form within 20 days of arrival.
- Diplomatic personnel may obtain permission to import items duty-free from the Diplomatic Mission.
- Privileged persons (Diplomats, employees of a UN agency, some NGO employees, or employees of a foreign company having a contract with the Bangladesh government identifying them as such) must obtain a Customs Passbook from the shipper’s employer, who must apply for the Passbook upon the shipper’s arrival.
- The Customs Passbook is required for the duty-free entry and takes approximately 25-30 days to obtain.
- The shipper must be present for Customs clearance with the original Passport and OBL / Express Release.
- It takes approximately 5 business days to clear full container load (FCL) shipments and approximately 3 business days for air shipments.
- It is advised that FCL shipments arrive in the Dhaka Dry Port (ICD is recommended for FCL shipments with port of entry (POE) at Chittagong).
- All less-than-container loads (LCL) are recommended through POE Chittagong.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Purchase Invoice
- OBL
Specific Information
- Vehicles 3 years and older cannot be imported.
- Vehicles are subject to duties and storage charges.
Pets
Documents Required
- Vaccination Record
- Veterinary Health Certificate
- Letter of No Objection (letter of permission from the Bangladesh government)
Specific Information
- The Veterinary Health Certificate must be issued within 7 days of import and must state that animal is free from rabies and other infectious diseases.
- Cats, dogs, birds and many other types of pets can be brought into Bangladesh without a quarantine period. Contact agent for additional information.
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- Firearms and ammunitions (permission is required from the Ministry of Home for dealers and the Ministry of Commerce for private citizens)
- Vehicle parts (contact agent for specific information)
- Agar and pectin (permission from the Director of the Dugs Administration is required)
- Meat and bone meal (radioactivity-test reports from the origin country and a certificate stating the products are fit for consumption from fish, poultry or other animals is required. The radioactivity-test report must clearly indicate the level of CS-137 found in each kg of each item.)
- The following items may be imported duty free within the limits indicated:
- Cigarettes (200), cigars (50), tobacco (225 g)
- Alcohol (2 bottles)
Prohibited Items
- Firearms and ammunition
- Pornographic materials
- Polypropylene bags
- Gambling instruments
- Narcotics
- Maps and charts (contact agent for specific information)
- Poppy seeds and opium
- Frogs and frog parts
- Food grains
- Subversive literature
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.
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