Export Registration Certificate (ERC) in Bangladesh: How to Apply

Try shipping goods internationally without an ERC in Bangladesh. Your bank won’t touch the Letter of Credit. Customs won’t clear your container. And you’ll be operating in violation of the law. Illegally.

The Export Registration Certificate is the starting point for every legal exporter in Bangladesh. It’s not complicated to get. But you need to know the exact steps, documents, and fees. This guide gives you all of that, plus some things most other guides miss.

What Is the Export Registration Certificate (ERC)?

The ERC is the government-issued license that authorizes your business to export goods from Bangladesh. Without it, you can’t legally send a single commercial shipment abroad.

The legal basis rests on two laws. The Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950 provides the overarching authority for trade control in Bangladesh. The actual registration framework for exporters is handled under the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 1981. It’s this 1981 Order that established the ERC system: who must register with CCI&E, how registration works, what conditions apply, and on what grounds registration can be refused, suspended, or cancelled.

The ERC is issued by the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E), which operates under the Ministry of Commerce.

Once you have an ERC, you can export any permissible goods from Bangladesh without quantity or value restrictions. Banks won’t open a Letter of Credit for you without a valid ERC. Customs won’t process your export declaration. Foreign buyers increasingly ask for it as a trust signal. So yes, it matters.

Who Needs an ERC in Bangladesh?

Any individual or business entity planning to commercially export goods from Bangladesh needs an ERC. This includes sole proprietors, partnerships, private limited companies, and foreign-owned companies registered in Bangladesh.

There’s no minimum export value. Whether you’re shipping BDT 50,000 worth of handicrafts or BDT 5 crore of garments, the ERC requirement applies.

ERC vs. IRC: The ERC is for exporters. The Import Registration Certificate (IRC) is for importers. Some businesses apply for both if they do two-way trade. Both are issued by CCI&E.

General ERC vs. Indenting ERC: Most new exporters apply for the General ERC (manufacturer-exporter or commercial exporter). If you’re acting as an indenting agent, arranging deals between foreign buyers and local manufacturers without directly handling goods, you need an Indenting ERC, which carries a much higher fee. Under the 1981 Registration Order, indentors are classified separately from exporters.

If you’re still figuring out your business structure before applying, this guide on company types and restrictions in Bangladesh will help you pick the right entity.

Documents Required for ERC in Bangladesh

The OLM portal shows required documents as you fill the application form. The list below reflects what applicants typically need, but always check what the portal requests for your specific applicant type, as some documents are case-specific and not mandatory for everyone.

Core Documents Typically Required

1. Valid Trade License (current year, from City Corporation, Pourashava, or Union Parishad)
2. TIN Certificate (Tax Identification Number, from NBR — apply free at etaxnbr.gov.bd)
3. Chamber Membership Certificate from a recognized trade body such as DCCI, FBCCI, BGMEA, BKMEA, or your relevant sector association
4. National ID Card (for Bangladeshi citizens) or valid Passport (for foreign directors or owners)

Additional Documents CCI&E or OLM May Request

Depending on your business type, application category, or what the OLM form asks at the time of your application, CCI&E may also require some or all of the following:

• VAT Registration Certificate (BIN) — required for VAT-registered businesses; if your business is not yet VAT-registered, check current CCI&E guidance on whether it applies to your case
• Bank Solvency Certificate from a scheduled commercial bank — commonly requested, though requirements may vary
• Passport-size photographs of the applicant or proprietor
• Office Rent Agreement — if you’re operating from rented premises
• For limited companies: Certificate of Incorporation (from RJSC), Memorandum of Association (MOA), Articles of Association (AOA)
• For partnerships: Partnership Deed (attested copy)

If you don’t have a trade license yet, this article on how to set up a business in Bangladesh walks through the full legal setup. All documents should be attested or clearly scanned. The OLM portal will indicate the exact format required for upload.

ERC Fees: What Does It Cost?

The fee table below reflects current government charges effective from September 1, 2022, per CCI&E’s revised fee schedule.

Certificate Type	Base Registration Fee	Total (incl. 15% VAT)
General ERC (new)	BDT 10,000	BDT 11,500
General ERC (renewal)	BDT 7,000	BDT 8,050
Indenting ERC (new)	BDT 50,000	BDT 57,500
Indenting ERC (renewal)	BDT 25,000	BDT 28,750

Payment is made through the option shown in the OLM portal during your application. Online payment may be available directly through the portal. If the portal directs you to offline payment, deposit the fee at any Sonali Bank or Bangladesh Bank branch under treasury code 1-1731-0001-1801 and upload the scanned challan. Keep your payment receipt regardless of which method you use.

How to Apply for ERC Online: Step by Step

CCI&E launched its Online Licensing Module (OLM) in July 2019. All ERC applications now go through olm.ccie.gov.bd. No more collecting forms in person. No more queuing at government counters. You can complete everything online.

1. Create an OLM Account. Go to olm.ccie.gov.bd and click “New Account/ID.” Register with your email and mobile number. A verification code will be sent to your phone. Keep your login credentials saved for future renewals and certificate verifications.
2. Log In and Select ERC Type. After logging in, go to your dashboard and select the ERC category. Choose General ERC (for standard exporters) or Indenting ERC (for indenting agents). Indenting ERC is for agents who arrange exports without handling goods themselves.
3. Fill the Application Form. The online form asks for your business details: name, address, trade license number, TIN, BIN (if applicable), nominated bank branch, chamber membership details, and owner or director information. Fill every field accurately. Your Nominated Bank is the Authorized Dealer (AD) bank branch that will handle your export transactions and EXP Form certifications. If you’re still setting up your banking, this guide on opening a bank account in Bangladesh covers what exporters need.
4. Upload Scanned Documents. Upload all required documents as clear, legible scans. Blurry images or unreadable text cause delays. Use PDFs for multi-page documents and JPEGs for photos and IDs.
5. Complete Payment. Pay through the payment option shown in the OLM portal. Online payment may be available directly. If the portal directs offline payment, deposit the fee at any Sonali Bank or Bangladesh Bank branch under treasury code 1-1731-0001-1801, then upload the scanned challan and enter the challan number in the OLM form.
6. Submit and Track Your Application. Click submit. You’ll receive an application reference number. Log into OLM at any time to check your application status.
7. Field Inspection (for some first-time applicants). CCI&E may conduct a field inspection to verify your office address and business activity. Make sure the address on your trade license matches where you actually operate.
8. Download Your ERC. Once approved, your ERC certificate and passbook are issued digitally. Download and print from your OLM dashboard.

Official processing time is listed as around 3 working days after complete submission. Practical timing may vary if documents need correction, verification, or a field inspection is triggered.

How to Renew Your ERC

ERC renewal is now much more flexible than it used to be. According to the OLM portal, you can renew for any full-year period between 1 and 5 years in a single renewal transaction. Previously, exporters had to renew annually. Now you can renew for up to 5 years at once.

Key renewal rule: Apply at least 60 days before your ERC expiry to avoid penalties. The OLM portal explicitly recommends this window.

Documents required for renewal:

• Original ERC and Passbook (original plus two attested photocopies)
• Payment confirmation for the renewal fee (BDT 8,050 including VAT per year) via OLM portal or Treasury Challan if directed offline
• Updated Trade License
• Updated Chamber Membership Certificate
• Bank statement or solvency certificate

Steps for renewal: Log into OLM, go to the renewal section, enter your ERC number, upload updated documents, complete payment, and submit. Clean applications typically process within a few working days.

Common Mistakes That Delay ERC Applications

Chamber membership mismatch. Your chamber membership must match your product sector and company name exactly. If you recently renamed your company, update the membership before applying.

Trade license expired or from wrong authority. Make sure your trade license is current and issued by the correct city corporation or municipal authority for your registered office location.

Nominating a non-AD bank branch. Only scheduled commercial banks with Authorized Dealer (AD) license can be nominated. Not every branch of every bank qualifies. Verify before selecting.

Submitting General ERC when Indenting ERC is needed. If you arrange deals between foreign buyers and manufacturers without taking direct ownership of goods, you need an Indenting ERC. Getting the category wrong wastes money and time.

Not renewing on time. A lapsed ERC means you legally cannot export until it’s renewed. Set a reminder 60 days before your expiry date, as CCI&E explicitly recommends this window.

What You Can Do After Getting the ERC

Getting the ERC isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting gun. Here’s what opens up once you have it:

• Export any permissible goods freely. No quantity caps. No value limits. As long as the product isn’t on the prohibited or restricted list, your ERC covers it.
• Open a Letter of Credit (LC). Banks require your ERC to open an LC for export transactions. This is how most international buyers pay for large shipments.
• Register with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). EPB registration gives you access to preferential Certificates of Origin: GSP Form A for the EU and UK, SAFTA for regional markets, APTA for China and South Korea.
• Access export cash incentives. The government provides sector-specific cash incentives for exporters. Your ERC is the prerequisite for claiming these through Bangladesh Bank.
• Open an Export Retention Quota (ERQ) account. Eligible exporters can keep a percentage of their export earnings in foreign currency under the ERQ facility.

For a deeper look at the full set of export documents in Bangladesh — including the EXP Form, Certificate of Origin, and Bill of Export — that guide covers everything from customs to payment documentation.

Some Bangladeshi exporters also set up a US company to receive payments via Stripe or PayPal. This guide on starting a US business from Bangladesh explains exactly how that works.

If you want to understand which sectors offer the strongest export potential right now, this overview of top export-oriented industries in Bangladesh is worth reading before you decide what to export.

Key Insights

• ERC registration is governed by two laws. The Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950 provides the overarching trade control authority. The Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 1981 is the specific framework that governs the ERC registration process: who must register, how it works, and when it can be refused or cancelled.
• Apply entirely online at olm.ccie.gov.bd. CCI&E’s OLM portal handles new applications, renewals, and certificate downloads. The old manual process is obsolete.
• New ERC costs BDT 11,500 (BDT 10,000 + 15% VAT). Annual renewal is BDT 8,050. Pay through the OLM portal’s payment option; online payment may be available, or use Treasury Challan code 1-1731-0001-1801 if directed offline.
• Official processing time is around 3 working days. That’s after complete and correct submission. Practical timing may be longer if documents need correction, verification, or trigger a field inspection.
• You can renew for up to 5 years at once. The OLM portal allows renewal for any full-year period between 1 and 5 years. Apply at least 60 days before expiry to avoid penalties.
• Chamber membership is not optional. A valid certificate from DCCI, FBCCI, BGMEA, BKMEA, or another recognized trade body is required for every ERC application. Missing this delays applications more than any other document.
• Not all documents are mandatory for every applicant. VAT/BIN, bank solvency certificate, office rent agreement, and photos are case-specific. The OLM portal confirms exactly what your application requires.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Export Registration Certificate (ERC) in Bangladesh?

The Export Registration Certificate (ERC) in Bangladesh is a mandatory export license issued by the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E) under the Ministry of Commerce. ERC registration is governed under the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 1981. Without a valid ERC, no business can legally export goods from Bangladesh, open export Letters of Credit, or receive export proceeds through the banking system.

What is the legal basis for ERC registration in Bangladesh?

ERC registration in Bangladesh rests on two legal instruments. The Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950 (Act No. XXXIX of 1950) provides the overarching authority for trade control. The Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 1981 is the specific order that established the ERC system and governs who must register, how registration is processed, and on what grounds it can be refused, suspended, or cancelled.

How much does an ERC cost in Bangladesh?

A new General ERC costs BDT 11,500 (BDT 10,000 + 15% VAT). Annual renewal costs BDT 8,050 (BDT 7,000 + 15% VAT). For Indenting ERCs, new registration is BDT 57,500 and renewal is BDT 28,750. Payment is made through the method shown in the OLM portal. Online payment may be available; if directed offline, use Sonali Bank or Bangladesh Bank under treasury code 1-1731-0001-1801.

How long does it take to get an ERC in Bangladesh?

Official processing time is listed as around 3 working days after complete submission. In practice, timing may vary if documents need correction, require additional verification, or trigger a field inspection of your office premises. Submitting complete, accurate, and clearly scanned documents is the best way to stay close to the official timeframe.

What documents do I need to apply for an ERC in Bangladesh?

Core documents typically required include a valid Trade License, TIN Certificate, Chamber Membership Certificate, and National ID or Passport. Additional documents such as VAT/BIN certificate, Bank Solvency Certificate, passport-size photos, and Office Rent Agreement may be requested depending on your business type. Limited companies also need the Certificate of Incorporation, MOA, and AOA. Partnerships need an attested Partnership Deed. The OLM portal confirms the exact list for your applicant category.

Can I apply for an ERC as a sole proprietor in Bangladesh?

Yes. Sole proprietors, partnerships, and limited companies can all apply for an ERC. Sole proprietors don’t need RJSC incorporation documents. Their core requirements include a Trade License, TIN, Chamber Membership, and National ID. The OLM portal at olm.ccie.gov.bd handles all applicant types through the same online process.

How do I renew my ERC in Bangladesh?

Log into the OLM portal at olm.ccie.gov.bd and submit a renewal application. Pay BDT 8,050 per year through the portal’s payment method and upload your updated Trade License, Chamber Membership, and Bank Solvency Certificate. Apply at least 60 days before your ERC expiry to avoid penalties. You can renew for up to 5 years at once in a single transaction.

What happens if I export without an ERC in Bangladesh?

Exporting without a valid ERC violates the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950 and the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 1981. Customs will not clear your goods. Banks will refuse to certify EXP Forms or process export LCs. Your shipment can be held at the port. Legal action from the Ministry of Commerce is possible. Your ERC must be valid on the date of each export transaction.

What is the difference between General ERC and Indenting ERC?

A General ERC is for manufacturers and commercial exporters who own and physically ship goods. An Indenting ERC is for indenting agents who arrange export deals between foreign buyers and Bangladeshi manufacturers without taking direct ownership of the goods. Under the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 1981, indentors are classified separately from exporters. The Indenting ERC costs BDT 57,500 (new) versus BDT 11,500 for a General ERC.

Where is the CCI&E office located?

CCI&E’s Dhaka office is located at NSC Tower (15th Floor), 62/3 Purana Paltan, Dhaka-1000. Phone: +88-02-9553349. Website: ccie.gov.bd. Still, most ERC applicants today should start through the OLM portal at olm.ccie.gov.bd rather than visiting the office first. The online process handles applications, payments, tracking, and certificate download without requiring an in-person visit.

What can I do after getting my ERC?

After getting your ERC, you can export any permissible goods without quantity or value restrictions, open export Letters of Credit with banks, register with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) for preferential Certificates of Origin (GSP Form A, SAFTA, APTA), claim government export cash incentives through Bangladesh Bank, and open an Export Retention Quota (ERQ) account to retain a percentage of your export earnings in foreign currency.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the ERC process in Bangladesh is much less painful than it used to be. Before the OLM portal in 2019, you had to physically collect forms from government offices, wait in line, and submit everything in person. Now you do it from your desk.

The real challenge isn’t the online form. It’s getting your prerequisite documents right, especially the chamber membership certificate, which takes its own time to process. If I were starting this today, I’d apply for chamber membership first, then collect everything else in parallel.

One more thing: don’t let your ERC lapse. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your expiry date, right now. A lapsed ERC doesn’t just mean a fine. It means you can’t ship anything until it’s reinstated. And if you have active orders, that’s a problem no buyer wants to hear about.

Start with olm.ccie.gov.bd. The rest follows.