Starting February 1, 2024, import and export customs clearance in Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector will require mandatory submission of certificates, licenses, and permits (CLP) through the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) system. The Government has issued a directive stating that manual submissions of these documents will no longer be accepted after this date.
This new requirement specifically affects several key organisations including those involved in the RMG industry, including the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), and the Department of Environment (DoE). These bodies oversee various aspects of compliance and regulation for the RMG sector, which is crucial to Bangladesh’s economy.
The BSW system, implemented by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), is an online platform created to streamline the processing of CLP applications, enhancing efficiency for importers and exporters. Businesses operating in the RMG sector can register on the platform using their business identification number (BIN) and submit all necessary documents digitally.
The Government emphasises that the BSW system will bring numerous benefits, including increased transparency and accountability through reduced human interaction, significant savings in time and costs for trade activities, and improved trust among both domestic and international businesses.
Currently, this initiative will involve seven out of the 19 organisations that issue CLPs, marking a significant step towards digitizing and modernizing the import-export process in Bangladesh’s vital RMG industry.
