Importing Personal Effects into Bangladesh: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Bangladesh Import Guide (PDF)

Diplomatic shipments

• Exemption certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People Republic of Bangladesh.
• For issuance of exemption certificate Ministry needs:
• AWB/ original B/L,
• list of items with value (Invoice),
• Inventory list,
• vessel name with B/L number and date,
• Flight details with AWB number and date.

• Duty free import is permitted.

• Applicable to
• The Diplomatic Mission, Non-Diplomatic Member of the Diplomatic Mission.
• High Commission, High Commissioners.
• Resident Representative of the Privileged Organization, who enjoy diplomatic status.
• Household goods should not arrive prior to the owner’s arrival.

Privileged shipments

• Original Passport
• Original B/L, AWB.
• List of contents with itemized value (invoice).
• Inventory.
• Privileged Person Customs Pass Book.

• Duty free import is permitted against customs passbook.
• The National Board of Revenue & Bond Commissioner issues the passbook to the privileged persons after arrival in Bangladesh.
• The consignee should import all goods including one motor vehicle within 6 (six) months from the date of first arrival in Bangladesh.

• Applicable to the expatriate/employees of all UN Agencies and foreign aided projects, development partners of Bangladesh.
• Consignee should complete import of personal and household goods within 6 (six) months from the date of his/ her first arrival in Bangladesh.
• The household goods should not arrive prior to the owner’s arrival.

Non-Privileged shipments

• Original AWB, B/L.
• Original Passport of consignee.
• List of items (Invoice).
• Baggage declaration Form “A”.
• "Transfer of residence form" to be
• endorsed by the customs authorities. Such forms will allow non-privileged Bangladeshi nationals to get maximum tax benefit.

• Customs duty and taxes imposed on all items.
• Transfer of residence benefits/Tax benefits only applicable for the reasonable quantity of old and used household goods. (Those
• who are in abroad minimum 2 years).
• Non-privileged foreigners are not entitled to get Transfer of Residence Benefits.
• Bangladeshi (those who are holding dual citizen ship) are entitled to get Transfer of Residence Benefits.

• Allowed to import any type of household goods subject to payment of customs duties and taxes.
• One shipment in one calendar year, either Air or by Sea.
• In order to get maximum tax benefit, Bangladeshi nationals need to obtain a transfer of residence certificate from the Bangladesh High Commission in abroad.
• Baggage declaration form ”A” available at Dhaka customs airfreight unit. Client have to obtain the same after arrival at Dhaka airport and hold the copy duly signed and sealed by the customs officials.
• For foreign nationals a work permit from the Board of Investment & other relevant ministry.

Automobiles

• Same documents required as for personal effects, except that in place of list of contents an invoice is needed.
• In the case of a used automobile, a previous registration or ownership certificate/a certificate of deregistration required to attach with all shipping documents in order to determine the age of the vehicle.

• Customs duty and taxes including advance trade VAT will be charged on the assessable value of the vehicle.
• Customs duty and taxes exempted if the vehicle is imported by the privileged person or the diplomatic person.
• Non-privileged person (foreigner) is allowed to import vehicle subject to prior NOC from commerce ministry & the import permission from the Chief Controller of Import and Export on payment of applicable customs duty and taxes.

• Vehicles more than 5 (five) years old are not permissible to import in Bangladesh as per Import Policy Order 2021-2024.
• Motorbike /Motorcycle more than 3 (three) years old are not permissible to import in Bangladesh as per Import Policy Order 2021-2024.
• ATA Carnet is not allowed in Bangladesh.
• Vehicle will be allowed to import under transfer of transfer of residence benefits.

Domestic pets

• Veterinary/ Health certificate.
• Rabies vaccination certificate.
• Prior permission from the Director of livestock, Government of Bangladesh.
• Photograph of pet.
• Microchips.
• Flight itinerary of pet’s owner.
• Original passport of pet’s owner.

• Importation of domestic pets like dogs and cats are permitted.
• Duty applicable or not applicable depend on the consignee status.

• Health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate from its origin required to obtain “No objection Certificate” from the Department of Livestock in Bangladesh prior to the arrival of pets.
• LAR (Live Animal Regulations) has to be maintained.

Drugs, narcotics, gold bullion, obscene and subversive literature CD’s, DVS’s, Firearms & ammunitions. Black stone sculptors.

• Prohibited.

Useful information

• AWB, B/L must show owner's full name (As per passport) in the consignee’s & Notify’s column. This is required by customs as proof of ownership.
• If AWB, B/L does not show owner's name as consignee, there will delays in clearance.
• The owner must arrive in Bangladesh before customs clearance.
• The shipment must be booked within shortest possible time after arrival of the consignee in Bangladesh.
• Baggage declaration must have to be endorsed by the customs officials within Thirty days from the date of arrival of the consignee in Bangladesh (copy of AWB/BL & Packing List must be available with passengers). If not, than a subsequent baggage declaration must have to endorse from the customs once AWB/BL & packing list is available. (Customs may impose fine for subsequent baggage declaration).

Exporting Personal Effects from Bangladesh: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Bangladesh Export Guide (PDF)

Diplomatic shipments

• Permission from ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAs)-03 copy original
• Note verbal
• Export permit
• Passport copy with Bangladesh visa page
• Letter of authorization for customs processing
• List of items with value
• Complete destination address

• Applicable to
• The Diplomatic Mission, Non-Diplomatic Member of the Diplomatic Mission.
• High Commission, High Commissioners.
• Resident Representative of the Privileged Organization, who enjoy diplomatic status.

Privilege Shipments

• Export permit
• Packing list with value
• Photocopy of passport
• Customs passbook
• Letter of authorization to the local agent to complete export formalities

• Applicable to the expatriate/employees of all UN Agencies and foreign aided projects, development partners of Bangladesh.

Non-Privilege

• Foreign national working in Bangladesh.
• Work permit
• Tax clearance certificate/agreement with Bangladesh government
• Packing list with value
• Photocopy of passport
• Letter of authorization to your local agent to complete export formalities
• Bangladesh national migrated to foreign country.
• Export permit
• Migration documents
• Packing list with value
• Photocopy of passport
• Letter of authorization to homebound to complete export formalities
• Bangladesh national posted abroad by his organization.
• Letter of authorization to homebound to complete export formalities
• Overseas assignment contract with employer/appointment letter
• packing list with value
• Photocopy of passport with visa
• Export permit

Domestic PET

• Shippers’ passport copy with visa
• Health certificate
• Vaccination certificate
• Microchip number
• Photograph
• Breed certificate (if required)
• OC (from dept. Of livestock)
• Export permit
• particulars of pet
• Letter of authorization to complete customs formalities

Bangladesh Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Bangladesh Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Passport (original required for customs clearance)
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / express release / air waybill (AWB)
• Customs passbook issued by the National Board of Revenue (required for privileged persons / duty-free entry)
• Packing list / detailed inventory
• Baggage declaration form (completed upon arrival and signed by Customs, within 20 days of arrival)
• Inspection order form (IOF) / inspection information form (IIF)

Specific Information

Foreigners, NGO employees, and foreign investors: Must pay duties and taxes on household goods and personal effects. There is no duty-free exemption for this category.

Bangladeshi citizens returning from abroad: Can import personal and household goods at a tax benefit of up to 80% on the assessable value. To qualify: the citizen must have stayed abroad with no re-entry for at least 2 years. The benefit is graduated: 40% for the first 2 years abroad, plus 10% for each subsequent year, up to a maximum of 80%. A certificate from the Bangladesh embassy/high commission abroad stating the period of stay is required.

Updated baggage rules (2025): The NBR has updated the Passenger (Non-Tourist) Baggage (Import) Rules. 19 types of items can now be imported duty-free (including one laptop/desktop, one camera, one TV up to 29", one music system, one oven, one rice cooker, sports materials, up to 100g gold ornaments per year, one carton of cigarettes, and various kitchen appliances — all limited to one of each). An additional 11 categories are subject to specific fixed duties.

Owner presence: The owner must be present for customs clearance with original passport and OBL/express release.

Baggage declaration form: Must be completed by all non-tourist passengers within 20 days of arrival. Failure to submit the form within the timeframe may result in complications.

Recommended routing: FCL shipments are advised to arrive at the Dhaka Dry Port (ICD) via port of entry at Chittagong. LCL shipments are recommended through port of entry Chittagong.

Land port travellers: Entitled to a duty-free allowance for goods with a maximum value of USD 400.

Duties & Taxes

Category-based duty system: Bangladesh does not offer a blanket duty-free exemption for household goods. The duty treatment depends on the importer's status:

Privileged persons (duty-free): Diplomats, embassy/high commission staff, United Nations personnel, international donor agency employees, and employees of foreign companies with Bangladesh government contracts may import duty-free. They must obtain a Customs passbook from their employer, who applies upon the employee's arrival. The passbook takes approximately 25-30 days to obtain. The duty-free limit for personal use and household effects is: CIF value of BDT 50,000 for the first year (must be imported within 6 months of first arrival, extendable by 3 months by the Commissioner of Customs and further by the NBR); then up to CIF BDT 15,000 per year for the next two years.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Explosives and incendiary devices (fireworks, flares, gunpowder, dynamite) — Prohibited
• Flammable materials (lighter refills, paints, thinners) — Prohibited
• Weapons without proper authorisation — Prohibited
• Narcotics and illegal drugs — Strictly prohibited
• Pornographic material — Prohibited
• Counterfeit currency and goods — Prohibited
• Radioactive materials — Prohibited
• Goods prejudicial to the interests of Bangladesh — Prohibited

Duty-free items (one of each unless specified):

• 2 mobile phones
• 1 desktop or laptop computer
• 1 computer scanner, 1 printer
• 1 video camera (non-professional), 1 still/digital camera (non-professional)
• 1 oven/microwave, 1 rice cooker, 1 pressure cooker, 1 gas oven with burner
• 1 toaster, sandwich maker, blender, food processor, juicer, coffee maker
• 1 household sewing machine
• 1 table/pedestal/ceiling fan
• Carpet up to 15 sq metres
• 1 television up to 29 inches
• 1 music system (CD player with 2 speakers)
• Sports materials for personal use
• Up to 100g gold ornaments per year (regardless of number of entries)
• 1 carton of cigarettes (200 sticks)

• Firearms and ammunition PERMIT REQUIRED — Permission required from the Ministry of Home (dealers) or Ministry of Commerce (private citizens)
• Vehicle parts — Restricted; contact agent for specifics
• Agar and pectin PERMIT REQUIRED — Permission from the Director of the Drugs Administration required
• Alcohol — Limited quantities for foreign nationals; commercial import restricted
• Second-hand computers and reconditioned office equipment — Restricted for commercial import
• Items claiming to be "Made in Bangladesh" if not actually manufactured in Bangladesh — Prohibited
• Lithium batteries over 160 Wh — Require cargo transport under IATA DG regulations

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Customs passbook timing (critical for privileged persons): The passbook takes 25-30 days to obtain after the employer applies. The shipment cannot clear duty-free until the passbook is issued. Plan accordingly to avoid demurrage charges.

Owner presence: Mandatory for customs clearance. The original passport and OBL/express release are required.

Baggage declaration: Must be filed within 20 days of arrival.

Routing: FCL shipments should be directed to the Dhaka Inland Container Depot (ICD) with port of entry at Chittagong. LCL shipments through Chittagong port. Chittagong (now officially Chattogram) is the primary seaport. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Dhaka) is the main air entry point.

Currency: Bangladeshi taka (BDT). Foreign currency restrictions apply. Travellers must declare amounts; export of Bangladeshi currency is restricted.

Regulatory Updates

• 2025: NBR updated Passenger (Non-Tourist) Baggage (Import) Rules with revised duty-free allowances (19 item categories duty-free, 11 categories with specific fixed duties). Unified rules now apply regardless of nationality.
• 2016: Current Passenger (Non-Tourist) Baggage (Import) Rules enacted (SRO basis).
• Ongoing: The Smart Import Export Hub (hub.bangladeshcustoms.gov.bd) provides searchable HS codes and import requirements for all goods.