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, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.bdembassyusa.org

http://www.state.gov/p/sca/ci/bg

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/bangladesh.html