Import Registration Certificate (IRC), Commercial IRC, Multinational IRC, Industrial IRC, Export Registration Certificate (ERC)
For any business planning to engage in cross-border trade in Bangladesh, obtaining an Import Registration Certificate (IRC) to import goods/services from overseas or an Export Registration Certificate (ERC) to export goods/services towards overseas is a legal mandatory requirement. Issued by the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCI&E) under the Ministry of Commerce, these licenses act as your operational passport for international trade.
An IRC permits an individual or corporate entity to legally import goods into Bangladesh, open Letters of Credit (LC) with commercial banks, and clear customs.
IRC in Bangladesh is broadly divided into two primary types depending on the nature of the business, along with specialized sub-categories:
Purpose: For traders and commercial entities importing finished goods to resell in the domestic market.
Purpose: Exclusively issued to industrial manufacturing units to import raw materials, capital machinery, and spare parts needed for their own factory production. Items imported under an Industrial IRC cannot be directly resold in the commercial market.
Sub-types:
Regular Industrial IRC: For standard local manufacturing industries.
BIDA/EPZ/BEZA-Approved Industrial IRC: Issued to foreign investments, joint ventures, or industrial units located within Export Processing Zones (EPZ) or Economic Zones (BEZA) registered with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Issued to local agents or indentors who act as intermediaries for foreign suppliers, facilitating import transactions on a commission basis without taking direct possession of goods.
An ERC grants a business the legal authorization to export products or services manufactured in Bangladesh to foreign buyers, receive foreign currency remittances, and claim government export incentives/subsidies.
Unlike IRCs, ERC classification is simpler and primarily divided based on the purpose of export:
Purpose: For general traders, merchant exporters, and manufacturers exporting physical products (such as ready-made garments, jute, leather goods, agricultural products, and handicrafts) out of Bangladesh.
Purpose: For specialized items requiring specific clearance under Bangladesh’s Export Policy Order (e.g., software/IT services exporters, pharmaceutical products, or specialized chemical products).
To apply for an IRC or ERC through the online portal, applicants must prepare scanned copies of the following documents:
Valid Trade License (showing export/import as line of business)
Tax Identification Number (e-TIN) Certificate
VAT Registration Certificate (BIN)
Bank Solvency Certificate (with AD Code mentioned for export)
Chamber of Commerce or Trade Association Membership Certificate (e.g., DCCI, FBCCI, BGMEA, or local Chamber)
National ID (NID) or Passport of the proprietor/managing director
Company Documents (Certificate of Incorporation, MOA & AOA, Form XII) for private limited companies, or Partnership Deed for partnership firms.
Factory / Environmental Clearance Certificate (strictly for Industrial IRC).
Document Preparation: Gather and update all basic business registrations.
Online Filing: Submit the application via the Online Licensing Module (OLM) on the official Chief Controller of Imports & Exports Portal.
Treasury Fee Payment: Pay the registration fee plus 15% VAT through an online Treasury Challan or nominated banks (Sonali Bank / Bangladesh Bank).
Verification & Approval: CCI&E officials verify the uploaded documents and business details.
Certificate Issuance: Upon verification, the digital certificate with a unique registration number is issued.
Validity Period: Both IRC and ERC are issued for a financial year (July to June) and must be renewed annually.
Renewal Requirements: Importers and exporters must submit the original certificate, updated Trade License, Bank Solvency Certificate, and proof of renewal fee payment via Treasury Challan.
Impact of Delay: Failure to renew in a timely manner leads to suspension of banking services (inability to open LCs or receive foreign currency) and delays at customs clearance.
Our team will assist you to obtain IRC or ERC very easily to ensure your uninterupted cross-border business activities.