BANGLADESH
Used 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 organization.
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 owner of the goods’ employer, who must apply for the passbook upon the owner of the goods’ arrival.
The Customs passbook is required for the duty-free entry and takes approximately 25-30 days to obtain.
The owner of the goods 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 Drugs 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,