Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
You can also skip ahead to the table containing the list of
Commonly Required Documents.
Document shipments may be sent to Bangladesh from Canada if they abide
by the conditions listed.
| Item | Restriction |
|---|
| Airline tickets | Maximum of 3 tickets |
| Annual reports | Maximum 2 kg per shipment |
| Bids | Maximum 2 kg per shipment |
| Cheques | Only bank-to-bank cheques allowed |
| Computer print-outs | Maximum 2 kg per shipment |
| Graphs | Maximum 1 kg per shipment |
| Greeting cards | Maximum 500 g per shipment and a maximum of 3 pieces of each
type |
| Intercompany mail | Maximum of 2 kg per shipment |
| Invitations | Maximum 1 kg per shipment |
| Negotiable bonds and drafts | Only allowed between valid entities using proper channels |
| Proposals | Maximum 2 kg per shipment |
| Visa applications | Maximum 2 kg per shipment |
Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US
Gifts may be shipped to Bangladesh from Canada duty and tax free
providing its value is Tk. 1,50,000 (about $2250 CAD) or less.
This may occur each financial year
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
Each financial year, a gift may be shipped from an individual in
Canada to an individual in Bangladesh exempt from duty and taxes if
the shipment's value is Tk. 1,50,000 or less (about $2250
CAD).
Shipments from Business-to-Business
There is no information at this time regarding gift shipments from a
business in Canada to a business in Bangladesh.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
There is no information at this time regarding gift shipments from a
business in Canada to an individual in Bangladesh.
Gift Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the
commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
- List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
- Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one
individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If there are multiple gifts in one shipment, then wrap and tag
each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Sources:
http://tcb.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/tcb.portal.gov.bd/policies/98824927_f847_4667_b0e6_7d39c6c1d759/Import%20Policy%20English.pdf
Certain personal effects may be shipped to Bangladesh from Canada
duty-free.
Qualifying items include:
- Books
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Mobile phones
- Gold jewellery and ornaments (maximum 100 g)
- Silver jewellery and ornaments (maximum 200 g)
- Portable professional equipment
Items such as LCD televisions will incur duties
http://www.bangladeshcustoms.gov.bd/relevant/baggage_rules Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time regarding shipping students'
personal effects for a temporary move to Bangladesh.
Non-Students
There is no information at this time regarding shipping personal
effects for a temporary move to Bangladesh
Moving Permanently
If you are moving permanently to Bangladesh from Canada, you may
ship your personal effects duty-free providing you have lived
continuously in Canada for a minimum of 2 years.
The duty-free allowance applies to:
- New and used clothes
- Books
- Bedding
- Professional equipment (up to $1000 USD - about $1350 CAD)
Personal Effects Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
Sources:
http://bangladeshcustoms.gov.bd/nep/home/enquiry/37/
http://www.bangladeshcustoms.gov.bd/relevant/baggage_rules
Sample Commercial Invoice for Personal Effects
Commercial samples may be shipped to Bangladesh from Canada exempt
from duties and taxes up to certain limits
The tax-free limit is Tk. 1,50,000 (about $2250 CAD) for:
- Medicines and herbal remedies
- New brands for sale being introduced to Bengali consumers
All other products and advertising materials have a tax-free limit of
Tk. 3,00,000 (about $4500 CAD).
Commercial Sample Checklist
- A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
- Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the
General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
- The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has
permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Sources:
http://tcb.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/tcb.portal.gov.bd/policies/98824927_f847_4667_b0e6_7d39c6c1d759/Import%20Policy%20English.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Commercial Sample
Advertising materials may be shipped to Bangladesh from Canada exempt
from duties and taxes - once per financial year - up to a value of Tk
3,00,000 (about $4500 CAD)
Examples of advertising materials include:
- Brochures
- Calendars
- Pamphlets
- Posters
- Technical literature
- Objects with the company name printed or engraved upon them -
pens, key rings, lighters
Advertising Material Checklist
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for
Resale' (see sample)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Sources:
http://tcb.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/tcb.portal.gov.bd/policies/98824927_f847_4667_b0e6_7d39c6c1d759/Import%20Policy%20English.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
There is limited information available regarding shipping equipment
for repairs to and from Bangladesh.
Items Under Warranty
No GST will be charged for equipment and items under warranty that are
repaired in Bangladesh and returned to Canada.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
GST will be charged if an item is sent to Bangladesh for repairs and
is no longer under warranty. GST will be applied to the value of the
repair work plus any parts added for the repair, and on any duties
charged.
Sending Product for Repair to Bangladesh
There is no information at this time regarding sending equipment for
repair to Bangladesh.
Returning Repaired Product to Bangladesh
There is no information at this time regarding sending repaired
equipment from Canada to Bangladesh.
NOTE:
In case of import of goods as warranty replacement and consequently
for returning the defective goods to the supplier, approval is to be
obtained from the import and export control authority.
Repair Checklist
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General
Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return(see sample)
- Include repair contract with shipment
- Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under
the Detailed Description of Goods section
- Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the
item was first exported to Bangladesh or exported to Canada (depending on
which case applies)
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Sources:
http://tcb.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/tcb.portal.gov.bd/policies/98824927_f847_4667_b0e6_7d39c6c1d759/Import%20Policy%20English.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Warranty Repair
Equipment and machinery may be temporarily imported into Bangladesh
for display at an exhibition or for demonstration purposes.
Temporary imports are exempt from duties and taxes providing:
- They are returned to Canada within 1 year of their import
- A bond or guarantee is presented at the time of importation
ATA Carnets
At this time Bangladesh does not allow temporary imports using an ATA
Carnet. Discussions are underway that may allow their use in the near
future.
Temporary Imports Checklist
- Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written
in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
- The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no
repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
- Stay no longer than the period listed above
- Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
- Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received
within the country (whichever applies)
- Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Sources:
http://tcb.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/tcb.portal.gov.bd/policies/98824927_f847_4667_b0e6_7d39c6c1d759/Import%20Policy%20English.pdf
http://www.bangladeshcustoms.gov.bd/relevant/ara_carnet
Sample Commercial Invoice for Temporary Imports
