1. The exporter prepares a price quote and terms of trade. A Proforma Invoice is then sent to the importer for approval. If modifications are required, the document is returned to the exporter for the necessary amendments. 2. Once both parties agree on the terms, the importer confirms an intent to purchase. A Letter of Credit (L/C) is then opened by the importer and forwarded to the exporter’s nominated bank in Bangladesh. 3. The process of communication between the buyer and the exporter is mainly through exchange of emails. If required, however, supporting documents are sent through courier services.
1. The exporter requests a space with a shipping line. In most cases, an email is sent to the shipping line with details of the shipment. 2. Based on the request, the shipping line issues a draft Bill of Lading for consideration by the client. 3. Based on the document and confirmation by the shipping line, the exporter schedules pick-up and delivery of the container with the inland haulage company. 4. A booking confirmation is then issued by the latter and this document is kept by both the parties for executing of further activities.
1. The exporter applies to an insurance company for an Insurance Certificate (policy) for the consignment. 2. This step involves submission of a completed Cargo Insurance Application Form supported by copies of the L/C, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Transport Contract and Draft Bill of Lading. 3. Upon finding the application complete, the insurance company issues an Insurance Policy in favour of the exporter, who then pays the premium.
1. Depending on the buyer’s requirement, the exporter (manufacturer) requests the authorised inspection agency to visit the manufacturing plant and inspect the quality of the product. 2. A request letter is sent to the agency along with copies of the Proforma Invoice, Packing List and Lab Test Report. 3. The inspector(s) then visit the factory, collect samples and performs the inspection. If any problem is found with the product, the exporter is asked to rectify it. 4. Once the inspector is satisfied with the product quality, an Inspection Certificate is issued and supplied to the manufacturer.
1. The CFA submits the online Bill of Entry on the Customs Department website. This is a member only service where the CFA is required to log in with a unique member identification number and password. 2. Submitting the BE requires the agent to provide electronic copies of a number of supporting documents including the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, EXP Form, Generalised System of Preferences Certificate (in some cases), Certificate of Origin, Insurance Certificate, and UD. Customs authorities then verify the documents and issue a ‘C’ Number upon finding the document satisfactory. 3. The exporter’s agent then acknowledges receipt of the ‘C’ Number and makes a print out of the acknowledgement receipt for conducting customs clearance at a later date.
1. As per the transport contract, the inland haulage company collects the goods from the factory premises and transports them to the port. In a normal situation, it takes between eight and 10 hours for a consignment to reach Chittagong Port from Dhaka. 2. On arrival, the CFA requests entry of the vehicle into the port area (or if the goods are to be taken to a private container terminal, the vehicle goes directly to the private depot). 3. The Port Authority or Private Depot then records details of the truck/container and issues an entry pass allowing the truck/container to enter the controlled area. The date and time of entry of the truck/container is officially recorded. 4. The goods are then taken to the designated area where cargo inspection is to take place.
1. Once the raw materials arrive in Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi exporter starts preparing the documents which will be required for exporting the final product. Completing the Export (EXP) Form is the initial step. 2. This format of this Form was developed by the Bangladesh Bank. The exporters’ banks supply the Form in the prescribed format to their clients. 3. Generally, exporters collect several copies of the Form from the banks with a view to avoiding procedural delays (i.e. collecting a new form each time) for every shipment. 4. After filling in the Form manually (using a typewriter), a number of supporting documents are attached to it. These include the Commercial Invoice, Utilisation Declaration (UD), Packing List, Insurance Certificate and a copy of the L/C. The UD is obtained from the office of the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA).
1. The Shipping Agent coordinates handling of the container at the terminal and moves it to the berth area with permission from the Port Authority. It is the responsibility of the Shipping Agent to prepare a Container Loading List and a Container List Message to be used for berthing the container and stowing it on the designated vessel in a coordinated manner. 2. While the container is in the process of being stowed onto the vessel, the Shipping Agent prepares the final Bill of Lading which is supplied to the CFA. 3. An export Manifest is also prepared and submitted to customs to obtain clearance to export the goods. 4. Parallel to this process, the Port Authority prepares a list of outward-going containers to be stowed on the vessel and ensures that the Shipping Line verifies the list. 5. Once all these activities are completed and the cargo Release Order is received from customs, the ship sets sail as per schedule.
1. The CFA submits a copy of the ‘C’ Number Acknowledgement Receipt to customs along with hard copies of all the supporting documents. 2. Customs then retrieves information from the previously lodged online declaration and cross checks with the documents received from the CFA. 3. An inspector is then authorised to inspect the cargo and certify compliance with the declaration. If any misconduct is found, export of the shipment is stopped and a case is filed against the exporter. If no discrepancy in found, customs issues a Shipping Bill and seals the container. 4. The CFA then receives the Shipping Bill on behalf of the exporter and signs the EXP Form, a copy of which is kept by customs.
1. The woven garment exporter in Bangladesh needs to obtain a Certificate of Origin (CO) and the SAPTA Combined Declaration Certificate (generally known as the SAPTA Certificate). 2. The CO is issued by the BGMEA upon receipt of a formal application supported by copies of the Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Insurance Certificate (Insurance Policy) and Packing List. 3. Parallel to this activity, the exporter also applies to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) for the SAPTA Certificate. 4. Upon finding the evidence satisfactory, both the authorities issue their respective certificates in favour of the applicant.
1. As soon as the documents for the importer are ready, these are submitted to the exporter’s bank by the exporter. 2. The bank verifies all the documents against the conditions laid down in the initial L/C sent by the importer’s bank. If any discrepancy is found, the exporter is notified and is required to resubmit the documentation, ensuring rectification of the problem. Once the documents are found to be fully compliant with the L/C conditions, the exporter’s bank forwards the documents to the L/C issuing bank in the importing country. 3. The importer’s bank then transfers the payment to the exporter’s bank, which then notifies the exporter of the deposit of the payment in the exporter’s account. The exporter then collects the payment.