The Customs Clearance Process in Bangladesh, Step by Step

For anyone importing for the first time, customs clearance is often the most opaque part of the whole process — cargo arrives, and then seemingly nothing happens for a while. Here’s what’s actually going on behind the scenes.

Step 1: Arrival Notice and Document Submission

Once your shipment arrives, your C&F agent submits the required documents — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and certificate of origin where applicable — through the customs system. See our overview of essential import documents if you’re not sure which ones apply to you.

Step 2: Assessment

Customs reviews the declared value and HS code classification against the submitted documents. This is where the shipment is assigned to a particular processing channel, and where valuation questions, if any, tend to surface — see our guide on understanding HS codes.

Step 3: Duty and VAT Payment

Once assessment is complete, duty and VAT are calculated and paid. Payment triggers the release process — see our breakdown of import duties, VAT and taxes for how these are calculated.

Step 4: Physical Inspection (If Selected)

Some shipments are selected for physical inspection before release, either randomly or based on the product category. This step adds time when it happens, but not every shipment goes through it.

Step 5: Release and Delivery

Once cleared, the shipment is released from port custody and can move to inland transport for final delivery. Handling this process yourself as a first-time importer is possible but time-consuming — contact our team if you’d rather have it managed for you.