Import License (IRC)

Registering for IRC and ERC licenses is a crucial legal necessity for Bangladeshi businesses intending to participate in international trade. The Import Registration Certificate (IRC), also known as the import license, is an obligatory document for entities wishing to import raw materials or other items. While permissible items can generally be imported without value or quantity restrictions and without specific permission from any authority, the Import Registration Certificate (IRC) is strictly required to facilitate these imports. In Bangladesh, the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCIE), operating under the Ministry of Commerce, is the authority responsible for issuing this import certificate or license. The legal basis for this permission is grounded in the Import Policy Order 2015-2018.

The following documents are required for application: • NID • Tax Identification Number (eTIN) • Photograph • Passport - Managing Director (Required for 100% foreign equity limited company) • BIDA Registration Certificate (Required for 100% foreign equity limited company) • Bank Encasement Certificate (Required for 100% foreign equity limited company) • Copy of valid Trade License (Must explicitly mention "Import" as a business category) • Tax Acknowledgement Slip / Income Tax Certificate • VAT Registration Certificate • Bank Solvency Certificate • Copy of membership certificate from local Chamber of Commerce and Industry or relevant Trade Association • Original copy of Treasury Challan (Now via Online Payment) • For Partnership Business: Partnership Deed (Certified attested copy) • For Limited Company: Certified attested copies of: 1. Certificate of Incorporation 2. Articles of Association 3. Memorandum of Association (To facilitate verification, applicants are requested to submit original documents as well. Originals will be returned upon process completion).

ONLINE APPLICATION: Apply using the online application system for export-import licenses via the CCIE login portal. APPLICATION FILING: Submit the online application along with the prescribed fee to the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCIE). Any entity can file an application to obtain the Import Registration Certificate (IRC), commonly known as the Import License. DEPOSIT SCHEDULE FEES: Deposit the scheduled fees corresponding to the value ceiling of overall annual imports using online banking or Sonali Pay. RECEIVED CERTIFICATE: Firstly, after checking the submitted documents and formalities, the office of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports will issue the license in favor of the applicant entity. Secondly, anyone can import permissible items without value/quantity restrictions and without specific permission, but the IRC is needed for the same. Thirdly, the CCIE under the Ministry of Commerce issues this certificate based on the Import Policy Order 2021-24. Finally, the Import Registration Certificate (IRC) stands as a mandatory document for business entities desirous of importing raw materials or special items into Bangladesh.

The IRC must be renewed annually. The required documents include: • IRC and Last year's IRC Certificate (soft copy) • Renewal Application by the applicant • Treasury Challan of the annual renewal fee deposited at Bangladesh Bank or Sonali Bank Pay/Online banking (Scan Copy) The applicant is required to arrange the above-mentioned documents and deposit the annual renewal fee at Bangladesh Bank or Sonali Bank. Note: Renewal of IRC can also be done by Nominated Banks as per the Import Policy Order 2021-24. The IRC applicant needs to mention the name of a single Nominated bank in the IRC application form for subsequent renewals.

• Photo of the applicant/owner/proprietor/managing director (Scan Copy) • NID of the applicant/owner/proprietor/managing director (Scan Copy) • Up to date Trade license (Scan Copy) • E-TIN (Scan Copy) • VAT Registration Certificate • Up to date membership certificate (Scan Copy) • Up to date Bank Solvency Certificate (Scan Copy) • MOA (in case of a company) • Form XII MOA (in case of a company) • Incorporation Certificate MOA (in case of company) • Partnership deed (in case of Partnership Firm) • Environment Certificate (in case of a factory) • Company PAD • Mobile & e-mail address. As Bangladesh is becoming one of the most promising outbound markets globally, due to swift economic growth, the company formation procedure is a broad question for new entrepreneurs. The above information answers how you should register your company.

• How can I get Import Licence in Bangladesh? Follow the PROCESS STEPS outlined above. • What is IRC and ERC in Bangladesh? Now an importer having an Import Registration Certificate (IRC) and an Exporter having an Export Registration Certificate (ERC) can Import & Export any permissible item without any value and quantity restrictions and without obtaining permission from any authority. • How do I apply for IRC? Documents have to be submitted with the application of ad-hoc and regular IRC.