Trading & Import–Export: Getting Licensed in Bangladesh

A business can be incorporated and hold a trade licence without being authorised to import or export commercially. International trade in Bangladesh has its own licensing layer: the Import Registration Certificate (IRC) and Export Registration Certificate (ERC), issued through the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCI&E).

IRC and ERC: Two Different Licences

IRC authorises commercial importing and is commonly needed for activities such as opening Letters of Credit, dealing with overseas suppliers and clearing imported goods.

ERC is the corresponding registration for exporting goods and handling export transactions through formal banking channels.

A business operating in both directions generally needs both. One does not replace the other.

Typical Application Requirements

Applications are handled through CCI&E’s online licensing system. Typical prerequisites include:

• Valid trade licence
• TIN certificate
• VAT/BIN registration where applicable
• Bank solvency certificate
• Company, partnership or proprietorship documents
• Chamber of commerce membership where required

Government fees and VAT apply according to the current schedule. Processing time varies with documentation, category and application quality, so current timelines should be confirmed directly with CCI&E.

Renewal Needs Active Tracking

IRC and ERC require renewal according to the applicable validity and renewal rules. An expired registration can interrupt trade activity, banking arrangements and shipments.

Treat renewal as part of the compliance calendar rather than waiting until a bank, supplier or shipment exposes the expiry.

Common Mistakes

Assuming a trade licence and TIN are enough. They are prerequisites, not substitutes for import/export registration.

Letting renewal lapse. The problem often appears only when an LC or shipment is already in progress.

Choosing an import category or ceiling without considering growth. The initial application should reflect the expected trading model as accurately as possible.

Treating IRC/ERC as one-time setup documents. Changes in the business may require updates and should be reviewed when structure or scale changes.

The Bottom Line

For a trading business, incorporation creates the entity; IRC and ERC create the specific authority to trade internationally. Keep the licensing and renewal cycle connected to the rest of the company’s compliance calendar.