Bangladesh has three key airports — Dhaka (DAC), Chittagong (CGP) and Sylhet (ZYL). Sylhet is particularly active for the UK Bangladeshi community. Detailed itemised packing list with declared values is essential. Electronics attract significant customs duties.
✈ Air freight to Bangladesh: 5-9 working days, subject to space and flight availability with the carriers from UK door collection • ⚓ Sea freight: 6 weeks via Chittagong • Price confirmed before we collect • Freephone 0800 096 38 39
These items are not automatically refused but face restrictions, duties, inspections or require specific documentation. Check before you pack.
Attract significant import duties. Televisions, laptops and appliances subject to duty assessment.
Controlled substances require Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) approval.
Subject to strict import limits. Amounts above personal allowance attract heavy duties.
Import of Bangladeshi Taka restricted. Foreign currency above $5,000 USD declared.
Require phytosanitary certificate from Department of Agricultural Extension.
Many processed food items subject to Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) approval.
Import of alcohol is strictly restricted for non-Muslims in Bangladesh.
Material offensive to Islam or Bangladesh is prohibited.
The following items are prohibited on all services — air freight, sea freight and door-to-door (subject to your destination). Do not pack them. Items found during inspection will be confiscated, and you may face penalties.
Customs clearance at destination is your responsibility as sender — who must also be the receiver for personal effects classification. Have these documents ready before we collect.
If customs or inspection issues arise at the destination — including holds, queries or inspections — you must respond promptly. Failure to respond, or submission of incorrect documentation, will result in storage charges accumulating at the destination warehouse at your cost.
You are liable for storage, inspection fees and any duties that arise where:
If you are unsure about any item, its declared value, or the documentation required for your destination — call us before you pack. We would rather spend ten minutes on the phone with you than have your shipment held at customs for two weeks while fees accumulate.
After more than two decades on this route, we know exactly what causes shipments to be held, delayed or refused at Bangladesh customs. These are the practical tips that make the difference.
Sylhet (ZYL) is one of our most active Bangladesh airports — strong UK Sylheti community connection.
Electronics will attract duties. Declare model numbers and accurate market values.
Gold and jewellery above personal allowances attract very significant duties — check limits before packing.
Sea freight to Chittagong takes 6 weeks — a cost-effective option for larger shipments. These sea transit times are approximate — the actual time depends on when your LCL container finishes loading and consolidating, the vessel’s sailing date and route, any transhipment hub before the final destination, and customs clearance, so please allow a week or two either side.
Call us for specific advice on electronics — we know what gets held and what goes through smoothly.
“We collect your luggage ourselves. We check it is properly packed, wrapped and secured before it leaves your door. After 28 years we know what arrives safely and what doesn’t. That happens before the bag is in the air — not after.”
Your UK shipping quote does not include the following destination charges. These are levied by governing bodies and government agencies at the arrival country and are payable by you directly at destination:
These charges are mandatory, set by the destination country’s governing bodies, and outside our control. We will advise you of known destination charges for your route at the time of booking so you can budget accordingly. If you have questions about what to expect at your destination, call us on 0800 096 38 39 before you book.