General Provisions for Import

General Provisions for Import

Regulation of Import- Import of goods under this Order shall be regulated as follows:

(a) Unless otherwise specified in this order, the items banned for import in the list (annexure-1) shall not be importable: Provided that, those items which are importable on fulfillment of certain conditions specified in the list shall be importable on fulfillment of those conditions.

[Explanation--- Items mentioned in the foot note given after the restricted list (annexure-1) shall be treated as banned items.]

(b) Except the items specified in the article 3(a), all other items are importable freely.

(c) While determining the import status of an item mentioned in the ‘Control List’, if the description of goods does not conform to the H. S. Code mentioned against the item or any discrepancy arises between the H.S. Code and the description of goods, in that case the description of goods shall prevail.

Conditions for regulating import - If the import of an item was restricted before coming into effect of this Order or if such restriction has been made effective due to the inclusion of the item in the Control List annexed to this Order or for imposition of any other condition such restriction shall be subject to the following conditions :

(a) In case any restriction is imposed on import of a particular commodity with a view to protecting the interest of a local industry the concerned sponsoring authority / Bangladesh Tariff Commission shall strictly monitor production of that industrial unit regularly;

(b)The industrial units (Protected Industry) which are specially engaged in “assembling type” activities shall have to move towards progressive manufacture actively and expeditiously;

(c) Except due to the rise of price of raw materials or the decline in the rate of exchange, if the increase in the price of an item increases or the price of finished product is disproportionately higher than the rise in the price of the raw materials in the international market, the ban on the import may be revoked on the recommendation of the concerned sponsoring authority or Bangladesh Tariff Commission;

(d) Goods from Israel or goods produced in that country and also goods carried in the flag vessels of that country shall not be importable.

(e) However, if any one is aggrieved by any decision regarding ban or restriction on import of any item, he can refer his representation to the Bangladesh Tariff Commission. The Bangladesh Tariff Commission will duly examine such a representation and furnish its recommendation(s) to the Ministry of Commerce for consideration.


5. General Conditions of Import of goods-

For import purpose, use of H.S. Code with at least eight digits corresponding to the classification of goods as given in the First Schedule of the Customs Act,1969 (Act No. IV of 1969) based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, shall be mandatory: Provided that, Bank shall not issue L.C. Authorisation form or open L/C without properly mentioning H.S. Code number for the item(s) correctly.

NOC on the basis of ROR (Right of Refusal):

No Objection Certificate on the basis of Right of Refusal (ROR) from any authority shall not be required for import of any freely importable item by any Public Sector agency: Provided that in cases where a public sector agency is required to import banned/restricted items included in the Control List prior permission of the Ministry of Commerce shall be obtained on the basis of NOC issued by the Ministry of Industries or by the Sponsoring Ministry/Division or by both, as the case may be;

In case of import of restricted items for approved projects financed under foreign aid, the concerned Ministry, Department, Agency or Corporation will approach the Ministry of Commerce directly for decision furnishing a list of the items duly certified giving detailed description and provisions of contract of the aided project, etc. and other necessary information along with quantity or number, price and H.S. Code Number of each item to be imported.

Pre-shipment inspection:

In this order where there is condition for pre-shipment inspection of imported goods the said condition has to be complied with.

Unless otherwise specified, in case of export and import, shipment of goods can be made under The Bangladesh Flag Vessels (Protection) Ordinance, 1982 (Ord. No.XIV of 1982).

Import at competitive rate: 

Import shall be made at the most competitive rate and it is mandatory for the importers, at any time, to submit documents of the price of the goods paid or to be paid to Import Control Authority regarding the price paid or to be paid by them;

In case of import under Untied Commodity Aid in the private sector, goods shall be imported at the most competitive rate by obtaining quotations from at least three suppliers/indentors representing at least two source countries. Provided that, this condition shall not apply for opening L/C up to Tk. One lac.

For import at the most competitive rate by the Public Sector importers, quotations have to be invited before opening letter of credit and goods shall be imported at the most competitive price.

Import on C&F or CFR, CPT, FOB, CIF, CIP, DAF, DES, DEQ and DDU basis---

(a) Goods can be imported by water, land and airways on C&F or CFR, CPT,FOB,CIF,CIP,DAF,DES,DEQ, and DDU basis : Provided that in case of import on FOB basis the concerned importer shall have to properly comply with foreign exchange regulation;
(b) Unless there is specific provision in the relevant loan agreement/project agreement concluded with the foreign donors for import on CIF or CIP basis, no import shall be allowed on CIF or CIP basis without prior approval from the Ministry of Commerce;

(c) Any expatriate Bangladeshi with income earned abroad and any foreign investor with his share of equity can send capital machineries & raw-materials on CIF or CIP basis;

(d) Goods from foreign countries free of cost or gift items are importable on CIF or CIP basis;

(e)Before opening L/C, necessary insurance cover note shall be purchased from the Sadharan Bima Corporation or any other Bangladeshi insurance company approved by the GoB.