In general, documents required for importation include a letter of credit authorization form, a bill of lading or airway bill, commercial invoice or packing list, and a certificate of origin.  For certain imported items or services additional certifications or import permits related to health, security, or other matters are required by the relevant government agencies.  Reduced documentation requirements apply for the public sector.

Bangladesh imposes registration requirements on commercial importers and private industrial consumers.  In some cases, the registrations specify the maximum dollar values of imports.  Commercial importers are defined as those who import goods for sale without further processing.  Private industrial consumers are units registered with one of four sponsoring agencies: the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), for industries located in Export Processing Zones (EPZs); the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) at  (bscic.gov.bd), for small and medium-sized enterprises; the Bangladesh Handloom Board at (bhb.gov.bd), for handloom industries run by weavers’ associations engaged in preserving classical Bangladeshi weaving techniques; and the Bangladesh Investment Development Board (BIDA), for all other private industries.

Commercial importers and private industrial consumers (with the exception of those located in EPZs) must register with the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCIE) at  (ccie.gov.bd) within the Ministry of Commerce, who issues import registration certificates (IRC).  An IRC is generally issued within three working days of receipt of the application.  Commercial importers are free to import any quantity of non-restricted items.  For industrial consumers, the IRC specifies the maximum value (the “import entitlement”) for each product that the industrial consumer may import each year, including items on the restricted list of imports.  The import entitlement is intended as a means to monitor imports of raw materials and machinery, most of which enter Bangladesh at concessional duty rates.