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Staff Reporter | Dhaka | Saturday, September 20, 2025
B
angladesh is set to remove the minimum value and cash margin requirements for opening Letters of Credit (LCs) on imports. The decision comes as these conditions were inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. With this change, importers will be able to open LCs for any quantity of goods without restrictions.
The Ministry of Commerce has already drafted the new Import Policy Order for the 2025–28 period. According to officials, the draft incorporates several major changes besides the removal of LC-related conditions. Business chambers and associations were consulted before preparing the draft. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman is expected to present the draft to Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin next week, after which it will be finalized and sent for approval.
Key Features of the New Policy
- Hydraulic horns banned, with a maximum noise limit of 100 decibels.
- Food imports must be certified by government-approved laboratories, with unified standards for safety.
- For the first time, petrochemical raw materials ethylene and propylene were included, subject to clearance from the Explosives Department and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.
- BSTI certification for palm olein imports may no longer be mandatory.
- Import of old batteries to be allowed if eco-friendly recycling is ensured.
Likely Prohibited Items
All types of waste materials, shrimp, live pigs and pig products, poppy seeds, artificial mustard oil, reconditioned office equipment, old computers and electronics, horns above 75 decibels, harmful pesticides, polythene and polypropylene bags, two-stroke three-wheelers, maps without Bangladesh’s boundary, horror comics, obscene or subversive publications.
Conditional Imports
- Small fishing nets below 4.5 cm,
- Cars older than five years,
- Motorcycles above 165cc older than three years,
- LNG,
- Toys (must specify age group and have safety certificates),
- Civil aircraft and helicopters,
- Old ships (with certification of being free from toxic or hazardous waste).
Warships, swords, and bayonets will only be importable with special clearance from the relevant ministries.
Film Imports
Films made in South Asian languages will remain restricted, except for joint productions with Bangladesh. Under the SAFTA framework, Bangladeshi films exported abroad may be balanced with an equal number of films imported, subject to clearance from the Ministry of Information.
Officials say the new import policy will simplify trade, align with global standards, and prepare Bangladesh for its graduation from LDC status.
