The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute sets quality standards and monitors its execution. Bangladesh also recognizes and accepts goods, certified by standard institutions of other countries. The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission inspect all imported food products to make sure that the necessary standard for radioactivity is maintained. Standards for pharmaceuticals are controlled by the Department of Drugs Administration under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Prohibited Imports: charts, maps and geographical globes that show the territory of Bangladesh not in accordance with the maps, published by the Department of Survey of Bangladesh Government; horror comics, indecent and subversive literature; printed material, posters, video material etc. containing matters that may insult religious feelings and beliefs of Bangladesh citizens; unless otherwise specified, old, second-hand and reconditioned items; all types of waste (unless otherwise specified).
Strictly prohibited are the next items: live pigs, pig and poultry fat, opium, tendu leaves, poppy seeds and dried posto dana, grass, lard, tallow and lard oil, solid or part-solid palm oil, raw sugar, un-denatured ethyl alcohol (80% and higher) and other spirits denatured of any strength, wine, artificial mustard oil, selected petroleum products, woven material of silk or silk waste, pig hair, some kinds of cloth, selected insecticides, nylon and polyethylene ropes, fishing nets, old or new rags, vessels (more than 15 years old), motorbikes (more than three years old), and single phase electricity meters.
Import Documentation: commercial invoice (3 copies), certificate of origin (3 copies), Bill of lading (3 copies), packing list.
Import of Pharmaceutical raw materials and packing materials have to be approved by Director of Drugs Administration, Government of Bangladesh. Additional documentation is required for import of food items, animal and poultry feed.
If subjects of import are live animals, plants and plant products, Quarantine restrictions apply. Permissible live animals can be imported only with clearance from the Directorate of Livestock Services. Permissible explosive can be imported with prior clearance from the Chief Inspector of Explosives.
Sanitary certificate is necessary for all livestock, plants and plant items (except vegetable and fruit) certifying that they are free of harmful insects, vermin and diseases.
Radiation certificate is necessary for import of: milk and dairy products, nutritive oils and a number other food products including food for poultry and animals that may require radioactivity test reports issued by the competent authority in the country of origin.
Fumigation certificate: All used clothing have to be accompanied with fumigation certificate.
Packed straw or hay have to be certified to be free of insects and disease.
Iron and steel: Imports of iron and steel require a certificate from manufacturer.
Fabric: law for textile imports requires special certificate of cleanliness.
Printed materials for promotion (posters, pamphlets, trade catalogues, and advertising circulars) are duty-free.
Duties and Taxes
The customs taxes reach 15 % on CIF value for intermediate products, 100% on finished products (except luxury items), 0 to 85% on textile, electromechanical and metallurgical items, 10 % on equipment.
The customs tariff consist of two classification rates: statutory and concessionary rates. Statutory rates is applicable to all imports except exempted ones. The second is applicable to articles intended for exclusive agricultural purposes, to education items, to relief goods, to raw materials and packaging for the pharmaceutical purposes.
The next duties are applicable to import items: ad volrem duties, preferential duties, customs surcharges and indirect taxes. All imported goods (except basic necessities) are subject to the value-added tax. Importers of capital machinery and spares don’ts have to pay Value Added Tax.
Labeling/Marking Requirements
Imported goods must not have any words or word combinations of a religious connotation, which might offend religious feelings and beliefs of Bangladesh citizens. Additionally, imported items should not bear any indecent pictures, writing, inscription, or visible representation.
Milk products may be imported in cans and in bulk. The container must indicate the components in Bangla, and manufacturing and expiration dates (in Bangla/English). A measuring spoon must be supplied in all containers of baby food products. Non-fat dried milk is importable only in airtight containers, with manufacture and expiration dates in Bangla or English. |
