How to import clothes from Bangladesh: step by step

In short

To import clothes from Bangladesh: register as an importer (EORI, CARM or a US importer number), classify each garment under HS Chapter 61 or 62, check duty and proof of origin for your market, choose FOB, CIF or DDP, then clear customs through a broker. The UK, EU and Australia give tariff-free access under LDC schemes; the US charges duty.

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To import clothes from Bangladesh, you register as an importer in your own country, classify each garment under the right tariff code, check the duty and the proof of origin your market needs, agree who handles freight and customs, then clear the goods through a customs broker and pay any duty and import tax. The steps are the same everywhere. The details change by market: the UK, the EU, Australia and New Zealand currently give Bangladeshi goods tariff-free access under their schemes for Least Developed Countries, while the United States charges duty.

Step 1: decide who the importer of record is

The importer of record is the business legally responsible for the customs declaration, the duty and the goods complying with local law. On most first orders, that is you. The alternative is a DDP (delivered duty paid) arrangement, where the seller takes that role and delivers to your door with duty paid.

Being the importer gives you control over the broker, the freight and the paperwork, and lets you reclaim import VAT where your tax system allows it. DDP is simpler for a first small shipment but hides the duty inside the price, so ask for the breakdown. We quote FOB, CIF or DDP, and you can compare all three before you commit.

Importing yourself is not always the right call. If you are testing one style in a few hundred pieces, have no broker yet and no warehouse to receive a pallet, a DDP quote may cost less in time and mistakes than learning customs on your first order. Once you are reordering, the control and the reclaimed VAT often make it worth becoming the importer.

Green truck with headlights on pulling a rust-red shipping container out through a factory gate at dusk, lit factory windows behind

Step 2: register as an importer in your market

Every market wants an identifier before goods clear. Get it before the goods ship, not while they sit at the port.

United States: US Customs and Border Protection does not issue an import licence for clothing, but entry forms ask for an importer number: your IRS business registration number, or a CBP-assigned number requested on CBP Form 5106.
United Kingdom: a GB EORI number. GOV.UK lists it as the first step in getting a business ready to import.
European Union: an EU EORI number, which the European Commission says is mandatory for all customs operations in the EU.
Canada: registration in the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system, known as CARM, which is one of the steps in the CBSA’s guide to importing commercial goods.
Australia: your customs broker lodges the import declaration with the Australian Border Force and will tell you which business details it needs from you.

Step 3: classify each garment under the right tariff code

Duty depends on the tariff code, and the code depends on how the garment is made. Under the World Customs Organization’s Harmonized System, Chapter 61 covers apparel that is knitted or crocheted, and Chapter 62 covers apparel that is not. A jersey t-shirt and a woven shirt therefore sit in different chapters, and the fibre, gender and style then decide the exact line.

Your supplier’s code is a starting point, not an answer, because the declaration is yours. In the US, CBP says importers can ask for a binding ruling on classification and search earlier rulings in its CROSS database. Your customs broker can advise, but they need the fabric composition and construction from your tech pack to do it. Where a garment mixes knitted and woven parts, such as a jersey hoodie with woven panels, the answer is less obvious, so settle the code before the first order ships, not after it lands.

Step 4: check the duty and preference for your market

Bangladesh is a Least Developed Country, which gives its exports preferential access to several markets. Its graduation from that category is now scheduled for 24 November 2029, after a three-year UN extension on 29 October 2026, and each market handles the change differently.

Market	Position for Bangladeshi clothing	Detail
United States	Duty at the rate for the HTS code, plus a 10% Section 301 tariff on goods of Bangladesh from 24 July 2026. Check the current position before each order.	US buyers
United Kingdom	Bangladesh is in the DCTS Comprehensive Preferences tier, where 99.8% of products are tariff-free. After LDC graduation, a 3-year transition applies before the move to Enhanced Preferences.	UK buyers; UK duty by country
European Union	Everything But Arms removes tariffs and quotas on all goods except arms and ammunition from Least Developed Countries.	EU buyers
Canada	Least Developed Country Tariff treatment where the goods meet its rules of origin.	Canadian buyers
Australia	Duty-free and quota-free; the Australian government says this continues after graduation. GST is payable on imports unless an exemption applies.	Australian buyers
New Zealand	Duty-free under the preference for least developed countries, where the last process is in Bangladesh, at least 50% of the factory cost is spent in least developed countries or New Zealand, and the goods are shipped directly. GST of 15% is payable on imports (checked 14 October 2026).	New Zealand buyers

Sources: the US Trade Representative and the US tariff schedule (checked 23 September 2026), GOV.UK, Access2Markets, CBSA, DFAT and the Australian Border Force (checked 22 September 2026). Each market page on this site tracks the current rates, the graduation position and the labelling rules in more detail.

The United States: the 10% on top, and what it is charged on

As of 23 September 2026, Bangladeshi clothing pays the general rate for its line in the US tariff schedule plus a 10% Section 301 tariff on goods of Bangladesh entered from 24 July 2026 (heading 9903.05.26), and no garment is among the goods of Bangladesh exempted from it. Both are charged on the price actually paid for the goods, without international freight and insurance, so a landed-cost sheet that works US duty out on a CIF value overstates it. Our guide to US tariffs on clothing from Bangladesh gives the rate for each garment, the fees per entry and the rules for samples, and the US buyers page covers the customs bond, the Importer Security Filing and labelling.

Step 5: get the proof of origin right

A duty-free preference is not automatic. It has to be claimed on the import declaration and backed by proof that the goods meet the scheme’s rules of origin. If the proof fails, the duty can become payable.

UK and EU: the exporter provides an origin statement or certificate in the form each scheme accepts. Ask your supplier which document they will issue before you place the order, not after the goods ship.
Canada: CBSA Memorandum D11-4-4 sets out the rules of origin for the Least Developed Country Tariff, and includes a specific certificate of origin for textile and apparel goods from Least Developed Countries, Form BSF255.
New Zealand: NZ Customs accepts a certificate of origin, a declaration of origin or other evidence that the goods meet its least developed country rule. The importer must be able to produce it on request and keep origin documents for seven years. Fabric from outside the least developed countries counts against the 50% cost test, so ask for a cost breakdown on fabric-heavy styles.
United States: no preference is being claimed, but country of origin still has to be declared and shown on the goods. Under 19 CFR 102.21, a garment that is not knitted to shape and is wholly assembled in one country takes that country’s origin, so a shirt sewn in Bangladesh from imported fabric is normally of Bangladeshi origin and pays the tariff for Bangladesh; some goods, including many scarves and home textiles such as cotton towels and bed linen, follow where the fabric was made instead.

Rules of origin for clothing can depend on where the fabric was made, not only where the garment was sewn. Tell your supplier which market the goods are for, so they can confirm the fabric route qualifies. If you sell into more than one market from one production run, say so at the start: the same cartons may need different origin paperwork depending on where they are cleared.

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Step 6: check labelling and product rules

GOV.UK’s import guide includes a step to check labelling, marking and marketing rules, and every market has its own. Typical requirements cover fibre content, country of origin, care instructions and a responsible business name, with extra safety rules for children’s clothing. Ordinary clothing needs no UKCA or CE mark, because both apply only to product types whose own rules require them, such as personal protective equipment and toys, and EU guidance says CE marking must not be used where no such rule applies. Fixing a label in Bangladesh costs a line on the purchase order; fixing it after arrival means unpacking every carton. Put the label requirements in your tech pack before production, and check them at final inspection.

Step 7: choose FOB, CIF or DDP

The trade term decides where the seller’s job ends and yours begins.

FOB: the seller delivers the goods loaded on board at the port of shipment. You book and pay for the main freight, insurance and everything after.
CIF: the seller also pays freight and insurance to your port. You handle customs clearance, duty and local delivery.
DDP: the seller handles everything to your address, including import clearance and duty.

A careful first-time importer asks for the same order priced on at least two terms and runs the numbers through a landed cost calculator, adding duty, tax, broker fees and local delivery. The cheapest FOB price is not always the cheapest landed price.

Step 8: book freight and a customs broker

Bulk clothing from Bangladesh usually moves by sea from Chattogram port, and urgent or small shipments by air from Dhaka. Sea freight is cheaper per kilo; air is faster and suits samples, replenishment and launches that cannot wait. The logistics and shipping page explains how the goods move from factory to port.

Appoint a customs broker in your country before the goods ship. They file the declaration, calculate duty and tax, and deal with any customs query. Send them the commercial invoice, packing list, proof of origin and the tariff codes in advance, so the entry can be prepared while the goods are at sea.

Check the documents match before they leave Bangladesh. The commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill and origin document should show the same quantities, carton counts, descriptions and consignee. A mismatch between the invoice value and the packing list, or a description vaguer than the tariff code, is the kind of small error that turns a routine entry into a customs query.

Steps 9 and 10: clear customs, pay, and keep records

Step 9: clear customs and pay duty and tax

When the goods arrive, your broker lodges the declaration and you pay what is due. Even where duty is zero, import tax usually is not: the Australian Border Force says GST is payable on imported goods unless an exemption applies, and UK VAT-registered importers can reclaim import VAT using their C79 certificate, according to GOV.UK. In Canada, the CBSA guide’s clearance step is a formal declaration to release the goods and payment of duties and taxes. In New Zealand, NZ Customs charges GST of 15% on the customs value plus any duty and the shipping and insurance costs.

Step 10: pay safely and keep records

Pay only to a company bank account in the name on your contract, and confirm any change of bank details by phone, never by email alone. Link each payment to an approved stage: sample, production start, passed final inspection. Then keep the paperwork. GOV.UK’s guide ends with keeping invoices and records; keep them for as long as your customs authority requires.

What to do next

Pick your market above and read its page for the current duty and labelling rules. Then work out your landed cost for one style at two trade terms. If you want quotes on FOB, CIF and DDP for the same order, send us your styles and quantities. We reply within one working day and name the factory in writing before production.

Questions buyers ask.

Can I import clothes from Bangladesh to the USA?

Yes. The United States does not require an import licence for clothing, and CBP’s own guidance for new importers says entry forms only need an importer number, which is either your IRS business number or a CBP-assigned number applied for on Form 5106. The difference from the UK, EU, Canada and Australia is cost. Bangladeshi clothing pays the normal US duty rate for its tariff code plus, since 24 July 2026, a 10% Section 301 tariff on goods of Bangladesh, both charged on the price paid for the goods rather than on freight and insurance. Classification matters, because knitted and woven garments and different fibre blends carry different rates; CBP lets importers request a binding ruling if the code is uncertain. Most importers use a licensed customs broker, and should confirm each rate with that broker before every order. Our US market page tracks the current rates and the labelling rules that apply to clothing.

How do I import clothes from Bangladesh to the UK?

Get a GB EORI number first, because the UK government lists it as the starting point for any business importing goods. Next, find the commodity code for each garment: knitted clothing sits in Chapter 61 of the tariff and woven clothing in Chapter 62. Bangladesh is in the Comprehensive Preferences tier of the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme, under which 99.8% of products are tariff-free. It is scheduled to leave Least Developed Country status on 24 November 2029, and the UK guidance then gives a three-year transition before a move to Enhanced Preferences. To use the preference, your broker claims it on the import declaration with proof of origin from the exporter. Import VAT is still payable at the border; if you are VAT-registered, you can reclaim it using your C79 certificate. Check the UK labelling rules for fibre content before production, and keep invoices and records after the goods clear customs.

Do I need a customs broker to import clothing from Bangladesh?

Legally, not always; in practice, a first-time commercial importer should use one. A customs broker lodges the import declaration, applies the tariff code, calculates duty and tax, claims any trade preference and answers customs queries while your goods wait at the port. Doing it yourself means learning each authority’s declaration system, and a mistake can delay the shipment or leave you owing duty with interest later. The cost of a broker is usually small next to a container of stock sitting in a port. If you buy on DDP terms, the seller arranges clearance for you and the broker’s fee is inside the price, so ask for it to be shown separately. Whichever route you choose, give the broker the commercial invoice, packing list, proof of origin and the fabric composition of each style before the goods arrive, not after, so the entry can be prepared in advance.

Is clothing from Bangladesh duty-free in the EU?

Yes: as of 27 September 2026, clothing made in Bangladesh enters the EU at 0% duty under Everything But Arms, provided it meets the EU rules of origin and the shipment carries a statement on origin made out by the exporter under the REX system. The scheme removes tariffs and quotas on everything except arms and ammunition, and while it applies, garments sewn from imported fabric can still qualify. Bangladesh is scheduled to leave the Least Developed Country category on 24 November 2029, after the UN General Assembly extended its preparatory period by three years on 29 October 2026. The EU keeps Everything But Arms for three years after graduation, to about November 2032; before the extension, the European Commission said at least until the end of 2029. Zero duty is not zero tax: import VAT is charged at the rate of the member state where the goods are cleared. You also need an EU EORI number before the goods ship.

What documents do I need to import clothes from Bangladesh?

Four documents from the seller, plus an importer number of your own: a commercial invoice, a packing list, a bill of lading or air waybill, and proof of origin. The importer number depends on the market: an EORI number in the UK or EU, your IRS business number or a CBP-assigned number from Form 5106 in the United States, and CARM registration in Canada. Proof of origin also differs. For the EU the exporter makes out a statement on origin under the REX system; for Canada's Least Developed Country Tariff, textile and apparel goods use certificate Form BSF255; the United States grants no preference, but the country of origin must still be declared and marked on the goods. Your customs broker also needs the tariff code for each garment, from Chapter 61 for knitted or Chapter 62 for woven clothing. Check before shipment that every document shows the same quantities, carton counts, descriptions and consignee, and keep the records afterwards.

How do I import clothes from Bangladesh to Canada?

Register in the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system (CARM), classify each garment, claim the Least Developed Country Tariff with the right proof of origin, then make a formal declaration and pay the duties and taxes to release the goods. Clothing from Bangladesh gets Least Developed Country Tariff treatment where the goods meet its rules of origin, which CBSA Memorandum D11-4-4 sets out. For textile and apparel goods from Least Developed Countries, the memorandum includes a specific certificate of origin, Form BSF255, so ask your supplier to confirm it will issue one before you order. Knitted garments sit in HS Chapter 61 and woven ones in Chapter 62. A first-time importer should use a customs broker, and send it the invoice, packing list, proof of origin and tariff codes before the goods arrive.

How do I import clothes from Bangladesh to New Zealand?

Claim New Zealand’s duty-free rate for least developed countries on the import declaration, keep evidence that the goods meet its origin rule, and pay GST of 15% at the border. The preference applies where the last process is in Bangladesh, at least 50% of the factory cost is spent in least developed countries or New Zealand, and the goods are shipped directly. NZ Customs accepts a certificate of origin, a declaration of origin or other evidence; the importer must be able to produce it on request and keep origin documents for seven years. Fabric from outside the least developed countries counts against the 50% test, so ask for a cost breakdown on fabric-heavy styles. GST is charged on the customs value plus any duty and the shipping and insurance costs (checked 14 October 2026).

Which paperwork mistakes cause customs queries on clothing shipments from Bangladesh?

The most common cause is documents that do not match: the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill and origin document should all show the same quantities, carton counts, descriptions and consignee. A mismatch between the invoice value and the packing list, or a description vaguer than the tariff code, is the kind of small error that turns a routine entry into a customs query. Check the set before the goods leave Bangladesh, and send it to your customs broker in advance with the tariff code for each style, so the entry can be prepared while the goods are at sea. Proof of origin is the other costly gap: a duty-free preference has to be claimed and backed by proof, and if the proof fails, the duty can become payable.

Does one clothing production run from Bangladesh need different proof of origin for each country it is sold in?

Yes, but say so at the start, because the same cartons may need different origin paperwork depending on where they are cleared. Each market has its own preference and its own proof: for the UK and EU the exporter provides an origin statement or certificate in the form each scheme accepts; Canada uses Form BSF255 for textile and apparel goods from Least Developed Countries; New Zealand accepts a certificate, a declaration or other evidence. Rules of origin for clothing can depend on where the fabric was made, not only where the garment was sewn, so tell your supplier every market the goods are for, so it can confirm the fabric route qualifies. Labelling rules also differ by market, so put each one’s requirements in the tech pack before production.

Sources

Checked 5 November 2026. Rules and figures change, so confirm anything that affects your pricing.

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