Guide to Import from Bangladesh
Md. Joynal Abdin
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)
Editor, T&IB Business Directory; Executive Director, Online Training Academy (OTA)
Secretary General, Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)
Bangladesh has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic sourcing destinations. In recent years it has gained global attention not just for its garment industry but for several other export-oriented sectors. According to the latest figures from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh, the country’s total merchandise export earnings reached approximately US $48.28 billion in the fiscal year 2024-25, marking strong year-on-year growth. Ready-Made Garments (RMG) alone accounted for more than 80 % of this total, underlining its dominant role in Bangladesh’s trade landscape.
What makes Bangladesh especially appealing to international buyers is its combination of cost-competitive manufacturing, growing compliance standards, skilled labour force, and an improving logistics ecosystem. Whether you are sourcing apparel, home textiles, leather goods, seafood, or other manufactured products, understanding how to import from Bangladesh effectively can unlock significant value for your business.
This guide walks you through Bangladesh’s most competitive export items, explains how to import step by step, outlines support resources available locally, introduces top sourcing agents including T&IB, and highlights what advantages each provider brings to international buyers.
Top Export Items of Bangladesh Worth Importing
When choosing products to import, it helps to know what Bangladesh produces best and what buyers worldwide are already sourcing from the country. Here’s a breakdown of ten major export categories that international importers commonly tap into:
1. Ready-Made Garments (Apparel)
Bangladesh is globally known for manufacturing and exporting garments at scale. In FY 2024-25, RMG exports earned around US $39.35 billion, the largest share of the country’s export earnings. This includes both knitwear and woven garments from T-shirts and hoodies to trousers and jackets catering to global retail brands and wholesalers alike.
2. Home Textiles
Beyond apparel, Bangladesh produces a wide range of home textile products such as bedsheets, towels, terry cloth products, and curtains. These items appeal to international buyers looking for quality textiles at competitive prices, driven by the country’s mature textile processing infrastructure.
3. Jute and Jute Products
Referred to as the “golden fiber,” jute is both eco-friendly and versatile. Bangladesh produces jute sacks, yarn, twine, and industrial jute products that are in demand in markets that prioritise sustainability and biodegradable materials. Estimations show jute goods remain an important export, especially for packaging and textile applications.
4. Footwear (Leather and Non-Leather)
Leather footwear and non-leather shoes from Bangladesh are gaining attention among importers seeking reliable quality manufacturing. Growth in U.S. leather footwear imports has been especially notable, reflecting diversification of sourcing outside traditional hubs.
5. Leather Goods and Accessories
In addition to footwear, Bangladesh also exports leather goods such as wallets, belts, bags, and other accessories. Skilled leather craftsmanship combined with cost advantages makes these products attractive for fashion and retail sectors globally.
6. Seafood (Shrimp, Fish, Frozen Products)
Bangladesh has abundant aquatic resources and a growing seafood export segment. Products like frozen shrimp, fish fillets, and other seafood items are exported to markets that value sustainable and high-quality seafood.
7. Processed Foods and Agro-Products
Various agricultural and processed food products including spices and dried goods are becoming more visible in export markets. These products appeal to niche importers focused on ethnic foods and specialty grocery segments.
8. Pharmaceuticals and Medicines
Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry has matured to produce a wide range of medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It serves both domestic demand and export markets with products that meet international quality standards.
9. Plastic and Light Manufactured Goods
Bangladesh also exports plastics, electrical items, and light manufactured products that find demand in various sectors, from consumer goods to industrial applications.
10. Miscellaneous Manufactured Items
This category includes a range of export goods such as headgear, caps, textile waste, and other smaller export segments. These may appeal to specialised buyers seeking high-value or niche products.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Importing from Bangladesh
Importing from a new market can seem daunting. Here’s a simplified but detailed process to help buyers navigate supplier sourcing and procurement:
1. Define Your Sourcing Requirements
Before approaching suppliers, determine your product specifications, target price range, estimated annual volume, packaging requirements, and any compliance needs like safety standards or chemical restrictions. This clarity helps you communicate effectively with potential suppliers.
2. Identify and Shortlist Suppliers
Use reputable channels to find potential manufacturing partners. These include official export directories, trade bodies like Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), and professional sourcing agents or buying houses who can help you identify qualified manufacturers.
3. Perform Supplier Due Diligence
Once you find potential suppliers, verify their company registrations, factory capacity, export history, certifications, and compliance status. Ask for references or use third-party audit services where necessary.
4. Develop and Approve Samples
Before signing any large order, request prototypes or samples. Carefully review materials, measurements, finishes, and any quality parameters. A “pre-production sample” approved by both you and the factory becomes the benchmark for mass production.
5. Negotiate Prices and Contract Terms
Agree on pricing, payment structure (e.g., advance plus balance after inspection), delivery timelines, quality parameters, and penalties for non-compliance. Common international terms like FOB (Free On Board) or CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) help define who bears responsibility at each stage.
6. Monitor Production Progress
Work with your supplier or sourcing agent to establish checkpoints during production. This helps catch issues early and reduces risks of quality defects or delays.
7. Inspect Finished Goods
Before shipment, conduct a final quality inspection using an acceptable quality limit (AQL) standard. Address packaging, labeling, and carton integrity, especially for fragile or high-value items.
8. Prepare Export and Import Documentation
Ensure your supplier provides all necessary export paperwork commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, certificate of origin (as required), inspection certificates, and product-specific certificates (e.g., food safety, chemical compliance).
9. Logistics and Shipping
Choose a reliable freight forwarder and decide whether to ship by sea or air based on cost, urgency, and product type. Coordinate container loading to avoid discrepancies between booking and actual cargo.
10. Customs Clearance at Destination
Work with your customs broker to classify goods correctly under the Harmonised System (HS Code), calculate duties and taxes, and ensure compliance with destination rules like labeling or product standards. This step finalises the import into your market.
Support and Sourcing Resources Available in Bangladesh
Importing from Bangladesh becomes easier with access to institutional and private ecosystem supports:
Export Promotion Bureau (EPB)
EPB is the government body responsible for export development. It offers statistical insights, exporter directories, and a market intelligence portal that helps international buyers understand Bangladesh’s export landscape and connect with suppliers.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)
For apparel buyers, BGMEA offers valuable insights into garment factories, compliance, and sourcing trends. It helps position Bangladesh as a reliable destination for ethical and cost-effective apparel sourcing.
Government Facilitation and Trade Fairs
Government-led trade events, export training programmes, and digital platforms help both exporters and foreign buyers discover products, attend fairs like the annual Dhaka International Trade Fair, and build contacts.
T&IB as a Sourcing Agent
Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB) is a professional sourcing and trade facilitation firm that assists international buyers in navigating Bangladesh’s supplier ecosystem. T&IB helps buyers stage-gate their sourcing process by identifying reliable manufacturers, managing communications and sampling, assisting with negotiation, and coordinating quality control and shipping logistics. For businesses that prefer a local partner with hands-on involvement, T&IB provides a dedicated local contact and project-oriented support. Website: https://tradeandinvestmentbangladesh.com/
Top 10 Sourcing Agents / Buying Houses in Bangladesh
Below are reputable sourcing agents or buying houses that assist international importers. These companies help bridge language, time-zone, logistical and quality gaps between buyers and manufacturers.
1) EDB Sourcing
EDB Sourcing focuses on apparel and textile sourcing, supporting international buyers with sampling, production coordination, and shipment-ready delivery. Ideal for small to medium fashion orders. Website: https://edbsourcing.com/
2) Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)
T&IB provides comprehensive sourcing services including supplier shortlisting, pre-production sample coordination, quality control oversight, and export documentation support well-suited for buyers seeking managed end-to-end execution. Website: https://tradeandinvestmentbangladesh.com/
3) Li & Fung
Li & Fung is a global supply chain partner working across South Asia. They provide advanced logistics, quality control, and supply chain optimisation solutions beyond simple sourcing valuable for large multinationals. Website: https://www.lifung.com/
4) Bangladesh Trade Center (BTC)
BTC offers business advisory and trading support, often assisting buyers with market insights, supplier introductions, and trade service facilitation to help international companies engage with Bangladesh’s manufacturing ecosystem. Website: https://bangladeshtradecenter.com/
5) Mega Sourcing and Merchandising
Mega Sourcing specialises in apparel pickup and merchandising for fashion brands, helping manage everything from fabric sourcing to export-ready shipments. Website: https://megasourcing.com.bd/
6) Anoosha Apparel Sourcing Ltd
This buying house focuses on ethical and sustainable apparel sourcing, supporting international brands that prioritise compliance and traceability. Website: https://anooshasourcing.com/
7) RYZEAL Sourcing
RYZEAL works as a registered buying house, offering garment and textile procurement services with an emphasis on quality and documentation control. Website: https://ryzealsourcing.com/
8) Vertex Sourcing BD
Vertex Sourcing provides comprehensive sourcing services including product development and factory coordination, useful for buyers who want a single point of contact. Website: https://vertexsourcing.com/
9) SBS Sourcing
SBS Sourcing supports apparel buyers with quality control, sample management, and supply chain coordination across Bangladesh factories. Website: https://sbssourcing.com/
10) Morgan Design BD
This firm focuses on integrated sourcing solutions including product design support, supplier coordination, and logistics assistance for international buyers. Website: https://morgandesignbd.com/
Closing Thoughts
Bangladesh offers an expansive platform for international buyers to source competitively priced products across textiles, footwear, leather goods, home textiles, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and more. With total export revenues surpassing US $48 billion, and RMG leading the way, the country’s export ecosystem is robust, adaptable, and increasingly diversified. Successful importing relies on clear planning, diligent supplier selection, thorough quality control, and partnership with trusted sourcing agents. Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned importer, using structured sourcing strategies supported by trusted local partners like T&IB and others can make your Bangladesh imports efficient, compliant, and profitable in the long term.
