Import Registration Certificate Bangladesh: How to Apply

If you want to import goods commercially in Bangladesh, one document stands between you and your first shipment. The Import Registration Certificate, or IRC. Without it, no bank will open a Letter of Credit for you. Customs won’t clear your goods. And you’re technically outside the law. This guide covers everything: what the Import Registration Certificate in Bangladesh is, who actually needs it, the documents required, how to apply online, the fees, and how to renew it without paying a penalty.

What is the Import Registration Certificate (IRC)?

The IRC is the official government licence that lets a business legally bring goods into Bangladesh for commercial or industrial purposes. It’s issued by the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E), a statutory authority under the Ministry of Commerce. The legal authority comes from the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950, and IRC registration is governed by the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 1981.

Put simply: no IRC, no legal commercial importing. Banks won’t open a Letter of Credit for you. Customs at Chattogram Port won’t release your shipment. It’s not optional paperwork. It’s the foundation of every import transaction.

The IRC also serves another practical purpose. Foreign suppliers often ask for proof of registration before entering trade agreements. Showing a valid IRC tells an overseas supplier you’re a registered, legitimate importer. That matters when you’re negotiating pricing or payment terms.

Who needs an IRC in Bangladesh?

Not everyone needs one. Personal importers bringing goods for their own use are exempt. But if you’re importing for any business purpose, whether commercial resale or industrial production, the IRC is mandatory.

Here’s a quick breakdown of who needs it:

• Commercial importers: traders, distributors, and eCommerce sellers importing finished goods to sell locally
• Industrial importers: manufacturers and factories importing raw materials, spare parts, or machinery for production
• Foreign-owned companies: a company registered in Bangladesh under the Companies Act and operated by foreign nationals can apply for an IRC, provided it holds a valid Trade License, TIN, and business bank account

Sole proprietors, partnerships, and private limited companies are all eligible. The type of IRC you need depends on what your business does.

Commercial IRC vs Industrial IRC

The CCI&E issues two main types. Knowing which one applies to you before you start your application saves a lot of time.

A Commercial IRC is for businesses that import goods to sell them. Think electronics traders, clothing distributors, FMCG importers. Your imported goods go from port to warehouse to customer.

An Industrial IRC is for factories and manufacturers. You’re importing raw materials, machinery, or components that go into your production process. This type requires a recommendation from BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) or another relevant sponsoring authority like BEPZA or BSCIC, depending on your industry and location.

The documents required are slightly different for each. And the application process on the OLM portal separates them clearly, so you’ll pick the right one at the start. To understand which business structure makes sense before applying for your IRC, our guide on company types and restrictions for foreigners in Bangladesh covers Private Limited Companies, sole proprietorships, and partnerships and what each allows.

Documents required for IRC application

This is where most delays happen. Missing or incorrectly attested documents are the number-one reason IRC applications get stuck. Get everything ready before you open the portal.

For a Commercial IRC

• Valid Trade License (current, not expired)
• E-TIN Certificate (Tax Identification Number)
• VAT Registration Certificate / Business Identification Number (BIN)
• Bank Solvency Certificate from a scheduled bank
• Membership Certificate from a recognized Chamber of Commerce and Industry or relevant trade association
• National ID Card or valid Passport of the owner/managing director
• Company Incorporation Certificate (for Private Limited Companies)
• Memorandum and Articles of Association (for Private Limited Companies)
• Partnership Deed (for partnership firms)
• Passport-size photograph of the owner/director, attested by a First Class Gazetted Officer

For an Industrial IRC

Everything above, plus:

• Recommendation letter from BIDA or the relevant sponsoring authority, such as BEPZA, BSCIC, or another applicable authority depending on industry/location
• Factory Layout Plan
• List of machinery to be imported, with HS codes
• Industrial Trade License (separate from a commercial trade license in some cases)

All documents need to be scanned clearly for upload to the OLM portal. Blurry scans are a common rejection reason. Get everything in PDF or high-resolution JPEG format before you start. If you haven’t opened a business bank account yet, you’ll need that sorted first. Our walkthrough on opening a business bank account in Bangladesh covers the authorized dealer bank requirements that matter for import transactions.

How to apply for an IRC in Bangladesh? step by step

IRC applications should be submitted through CCI&E’s Online Licensing Module at olm.ccie.gov.bd. Follow any additional verification instructions shown by CCI&E/OLM.

1. Register on the OLM portal. Go to olm.ccie.gov.bd and create a new account with your email and mobile number. You’ll get a user ID and password.
2. Select the right application type. Log in, select the IRC application menu, and choose Commercial IRC or Industrial IRC depending on your business.
3. Fill in the application form. Complete all mandatory fields (marked with a red asterisk). This includes your business details, owner information, trade license number, bank details, and import limit requested. Select your regional CCI&E office correctly.
4. Upload all required documents. Upload scanned copies of every document listed above. All mandatory documents are marked. If anything is missing, the system won’t allow submission.
5. Pay the government fee. Pay through the payment option shown in the OLM portal. Online payment may be available; use Treasury Challan/offline payment only if the portal directs it. If challan payment is required, enter the challan details in the OLM application as instructed by the portal.
6. Submit and receive your entry number. After submission, you’ll receive an office entry number confirming your application is in the system. Keep this for follow-up.
7. Verification and collection. CCI&E reviews your documents. For first-time applicants or industrial applications, a field inspection may be conducted. Once verified, your IRC and the official passbook are issued. Official processing time is listed as around 3 working days after complete submission, though practical timing may vary if documents need correction, verification, or inspection.

Our broader guide on how to start a business in Bangladesh as a foreigner covers the RJSC registration, TIN, and BIN steps you’ll need done before you apply for your IRC.

IRC fees and payment

Government fees for IRC are paid through the payment option shown in the OLM portal. Online payment may be available; use Treasury Challan/offline payment at Bangladesh Bank or Sonali Bank only if the portal directs it. VAT at 15% is added on top of the base government fee.

Always check the current fee schedule on the CCI&E website at ccie.gov.bd or the OLM portal before visiting the bank, since fee structures can be updated. Don’t rely on figures from older sources; the official portal shows the currently applicable rates.

Once you pay and collect the challan receipt, enter the challan number into your OLM application. The bank branch and payment date must match what you enter online.

IRC renewal in Bangladesh

Your IRC is linked to a fiscal year, and according to the official CCI&E OLM portal notice, renewal can be done for any full term between 1 and 5 years. This means you’re not locked into annual renewal every year. You can renew for multiple years at once if it suits your business planning.

One specific rule matters here: apply for renewal at least 60 days before expiry to avoid a penalty. The CCI&E portal’s own notice makes this clear. Miss that window and you’ll pay a fine on top of the renewal fee.

The renewal process mirrors the fresh application: log in to olm.ccie.gov.bd, select the re-registration option from the IRC menu, upload updated documents (especially your trade license, which must be current), and follow the payment option shown in the portal. Use Treasury Challan/offline payment only if the portal directs it.

A lapsed IRC is a serious operational problem. Your bank won’t open any new import LCs until it’s renewed. Our overview of commercial banks in Bangladesh includes a breakdown of which banks handle import LCs efficiently, which is useful once your IRC is in hand.

If you’re considering multiple trade activities, our breakdown of top industries for foreign investment in Bangladesh covers which sectors have the highest import demand and the clearest regulatory pathway.

Common mistakes that slow down your IRC application

Honestly, most delays are preventable. Here’s what actually trips people up:

• Expired Trade License. CCI&E requires a current trade license. If yours expired last month, the portal won’t accept it.
• Wrong attestation on photos. Owner/director passport photos must be attested by a First Class Gazetted Officer. A simple photocopy or a notary stamp isn’t enough.
• Missing Chamber membership. The Membership Certificate from a recognized Chamber of Commerce is often overlooked. Some applicants try to skip it. The portal won’t let them.
• Blurry or incomplete document scans. A low-quality scan of your TIN or bank solvency certificate will get your application queued for rejection. Scan at 300 DPI minimum.
• Selecting the wrong IRC type. Choosing Industrial when you should be Commercial (or vice versa) means your application goes to the wrong processing track and your documents don’t match.
• Paying the challan before finishing documents. Some applicants pay first, then realize a document is missing. Get everything ready before going to the bank.
• Not renewing early enough. Renewing after expiry triggers a penalty fee. The CCI&E makes it clear: apply at least 60 days before your IRC expiry date.

For working capital to fund your import operations after getting your IRC, see our guide on getting a loan from a Bangladeshi bank. Also, getting a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet for international supplier credibility is worth considering early, since many overseas suppliers run verification checks on new importers before agreeing terms.

Key Insights

• IRC is issued by CCI&E under the Ministry of Commerce and is mandatory for all commercial and industrial importers in Bangladesh. Without it, banks won’t open import LCs and customs won’t clear your shipments.
• Applications go through the OLM portal. IRC applications should be submitted through CCI&E’s Online Licensing Module at olm.ccie.gov.bd. Follow any additional verification or payment instructions shown by CCI&E/OLM.
• Two types exist: Commercial IRC is for traders and distributors; Industrial IRC is for manufacturers and requires a BIDA or relevant sponsoring authority recommendation.
• Renewal can span 1 to 5 years, not just annually. The CCI&E’s OLM portal confirms you can renew for any full term within that range in a single application.
• Apply 60 days before expiry to avoid a penalty fee. The CCI&E portal explicitly warns that applying after the deadline triggers a penalty on top of standard renewal charges.
• Missing Chamber membership is the most common rejection trigger. A Membership Certificate from a recognized Chamber of Commerce or trade association is mandatory, not optional.
• Foreigners can apply. A foreign national who owns a registered company in Bangladesh with a valid Trade License, TIN, and BIN is eligible to apply for an IRC through the OLM portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Import Registration Certificate (IRC) in Bangladesh?

The IRC is a mandatory licence issued by the CCI&E (Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports) under the Ministry of Commerce. It legally authorizes a business to import goods into Bangladesh for commercial or industrial purposes. Without a valid IRC, banks will not open import Letters of Credit and customs authorities will not clear commercial shipments.

Who issues the IRC in Bangladesh?

The Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E), a statutory authority under the Ministry of Commerce, issues the IRC. The CCI&E operates through its online portal at olm.ccie.gov.bd and has regional offices across Bangladesh including Dhaka and Chattogram. For first-time or industrial applicants, CCI&E may conduct a field inspection before issuing the certificate.

Can I apply for an IRC manually or in person?

IRC applications should be submitted through CCI&E’s Online Licensing Module (OLM) at olm.ccie.gov.bd. Follow any additional verification instructions shown by CCI&E/OLM. You’ll need to create an account, fill out the form, upload scanned documents, and follow the payment instructions provided by the portal.

What documents do I need to apply for a Commercial IRC?

You need a valid Trade License, E-TIN Certificate, VAT Registration (BIN), Bank Solvency Certificate, Membership Certificate from a Chamber of Commerce or trade association, National ID or passport of the owner/director, company incorporation documents (for limited companies), and an attested passport-size photo. For an Industrial IRC, add a BIDA recommendation letter, factory layout, and a machinery list with HS codes.

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

Official processing time is listed as around 3 working days after complete submission, though practical timing may vary if documents need correction, verification, or inspection. Industrial IRC applications that require a field inspection may take longer. Having every document correctly prepared before submission makes the biggest difference to turnaround time.

How long is the IRC valid and how do I renew it?

According to the CCI&E’s OLM portal, IRC renewal can be completed for any full term between 1 and 5 years. You’re not limited to renewing annually. To avoid a penalty fee, apply for renewal at least 60 days before your current IRC expires. Renew through OLM and follow the payment option shown in the portal; use Treasury Challan/offline payment only if instructed.

What is the difference between a Commercial IRC and an Industrial IRC?

A Commercial IRC is for traders, distributors, and eCommerce sellers who import finished goods to sell. An Industrial IRC is for manufacturers and factories importing raw materials, machinery, or components for their own production. Industrial IRC applicants need a recommendation letter from BIDA or another relevant sponsoring authority such as BEPZA or BSCIC, depending on the business’s location and sector.

Can a foreign-owned company get an IRC in Bangladesh?

Yes. A company registered in Bangladesh under the Companies Act that is owned by foreign nationals can apply for an IRC. Requirements include a valid Trade License, TIN, 13-digit BIN (VAT registration), and a business bank account with an authorized dealer bank. The application goes through the same OLM portal at olm.ccie.gov.bd as local companies.

What happens if my IRC expires without renewal?

A lapsed IRC means your authorized dealer bank cannot open new import Letters of Credit for you. Any ongoing customs clearance processes may also face complications. Additionally, renewing after the expiry date triggers a penalty fee on top of the standard renewal charge. CCI&E advises applying at least 60 days before expiry to avoid this situation entirely.

Do I need an IRC to import goods for personal use?

No. The IRC requirement applies to commercial and industrial importers. Personal importers bringing goods into Bangladesh for their own personal use are exempt from obtaining an IRC. However, if you’re importing even small quantities for any business purpose, including resale or distribution, the IRC becomes a mandatory legal requirement.

Final Thoughts

The IRC isn’t just a government paper exercise. It’s the key to opening import LCs, clearing goods at customs, and building a real importing business in Bangladesh.

If I were starting today, I’d create an account at olm.ccie.gov.bd before doing anything else. No valid IRC means no bank will touch your import transaction. So sort the licence first, then go find your supplier. Which part of the process are you tackling right now?