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Cargo ship at port symbolizing exports – ERC, Export Registration Certificate in Bangladesh.

ERC - Export Registration Certificate

ERC also known as Export Registration Certificate in Bangladesh is required for any business that wants to export goods from Bangladesh. For the Export business license in Bangladesh, it is important to know what an Export Registration Certificate (ERC) is and how to get one.  ERC in Bangladesh is issued by the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCI&E). CCI&E is run under the Ministry of Commerce. It is required for exporters and is very important for following national trade rules. This guide will tell you what you need to do to be eligible, how to do it, how much it will cost, when to renew, and what you need to do after you get your certificate.

Who needs an Export Registration Certificate in Bangladesh?

A business entity that is interested in exporting raw materials or other specialized commodities into Bangladesh is required to have a valid Export Registration Certificate (ERC). This document is a legal requirement. In order to get an Export Registration Certificate, it is helpful to be aware that this certificate is issued by The Office of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCIE) which is an independent institution under the Ministry of Commerce, and that the Export Policy Order 2015-2018 serves as the legal foundation for this certificate. There are no restrictions on value or quantity for items that can be exported from Bangladesh, and no permission is required to do so from any Bangladeshi authority. However, an Export Registration Certificate (ERC) or an export license is required in order to export any item that falls under this category.

Categories of ERC license

There are three categories of applicants that want to join the ERC as members. Document requirements are subject to the kind of candidate being considered. The following items are required as part of your submission. Various Categories of Applicants:

  1. Individuals or businesses entities run in proprietorships,
  2. Partnerships, or 
  3. Limited liability companies

What is an Export Registration Certificate (ERC) in Bangladesh?

The Office of Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E) is the issuing authority  of ERC in Bangladesh. ERC in Bangladesh is an official license that lets entities export goods from Bangladesh. It is subject to the country’s export rules and is necessary for following the law.

What do you need an ERC for?

ERC or Export registration certificate in Bangladesh is needed for the following purpose:

·   Legal Requirement: Exporters must have an ERC in order to export legally.

·   Compliance with rules: Makes sure that the company’s actions are in line with Bangladesh’s              export policy.

·   Access to Formal Trade Systems: This lets you work with customs, banks, and the processes              that  help with exports.

Who issues the ERC?

The Ministry of Commerce’s Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E) is in charge. Most of the time, people apply using the Online Licensing Module (OLM) or in person at CCI&E offices.

Requirements to be eligible for ERC

Businesses that can apply include sole proprietorships, partnerships, public listed companies and private limited companies. They must be lawfully registered and have a valid Trade License, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and other business documentation.

Documents Needed for ERC Application

 The following documents are needed for ERC application:

Individual or Proprietorship Firm:

Here is the list of the probable documents that are required for an ERC certificate:

  1. Valid mobile number.
  2. Valid email address.
  3. Recent passport sized photographs of the applicant.
  4. National ID or passport of the applicant.
  5. Valid original copy of membership certificate of any trade organisation.
  6. Recent original copies of bank statements and bank solvency certificate.
  7. E-TIN certificate.
  8. Valid original copy of the trade licence.
  9. Predetermined government fees.
  10. Prior approval letter for special business.

Partnership Firm:

Here is the list of the probable documents that are required for an ERC certificate:

  1. Valid mobile number.
  2. Valid email address.
  3. Recent passport sized photographs of the partners.
  4. Copies of National ID or passports of the partners.
  5. Valid original copy of membership certificate of any trade organisation.
  6. Recent original copies of bank statements and bank solvency certificate.
  7. E-TIN certificate.
  8. Valid original copy of the trade licence.
  9. Partnership Agreement.
  10. Registration Certificate of Partnership.
  11. Predetermined government fees.
  12. Prior approval letter for special business.

Private Limited Company:

Here is the list of the probable documents that are required for an ERC certificate:

  1. Valid mobile number of the managing director of the company.
  2. Valid email address.
  3. Recent passport sized photographs of the managing director of the company.
  4. National ID or passport of the managing director of the company.
  5. Valid original copy of membership certificate of any trade organisation.
  6. Recent original copies of bank statements and bank solvency certificate.
  7. E-TIN certificate.
  8. Valid original copy of the trade licence.
  9. Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
  10. Certificate of incorporation of the company.
  11. Predetermined government fees.
  12. Prior approval letter for special business.

Documents needed for Renewal of ERC:

The validity of the ERC is for one year and the ERC has to be renewed on an annual basis. The applicant is responsible for gathering all of the necessary paperwork for the renewal. Payment of the yearly renewal charge must be paid at either the Sonali Bank or Bangladesh Bank. At the bank, you are required to provide an ERC that has expired in addition to a copy of the Treasury Challan. Following the completion of the verification process, CCIE will provide the updated ERC Certificate.

In order to renew the licence, the applicant needs to produce the following documents:

  1. The original copies and 2 photocopies of the expired ERC and Passbook.
  2. An application for renewal submitted by the applicant.
  3. Original copy along with 2 photocopies of the treasury challan for the yearly renewal fee, which may be submitted at the Sonali Bank or Bangladesh Bank.

The processing period for ERC renewal typically takes between four and five business days.

Step by Step Process to get an Export Registration Certificate

1.      Get the ERC form from the CCI&E office or download it from OLM.

2.      Get the necessary papers ready, as indicated above.

3.      Pay the government fees (see the next section).

4.      Submit the application in person or online.

5.      Get your ERC, which usually happens the same day or within a few business days, depending on how you apply and how complete it is.

The applicant is required to obtain the Form of ERC from the CCIE office or the official website, fill it out, and then send it to the Dispatch Section of the CCIE office together with any supporting documents. The registration fee as well as the cost of the passbook are must be paid at the Bangladesh Bank or Sonali Bank, and 3 copies of the Treasury Challan are required to be acquired.

In order to obtain the Export Registration Certificate, the applicant must provide the CCIE office with a properly filled out application form, as well as the necessary supporting papers and a Treasury Challan. The applicant will get their Export Registration Certificates, along with their passbooks after the CCIE has authenticated all of the documentation they have provided.

Along with photocopies, it is strongly advised that you hand in the original papers for verification purposes. This will make the procedure much faster. The original papers are going to be handed back as soon as the verification is concluded. Each and every document has to be properly attested by a first class gazetted official, a magistrate, or by a public notary.

Fees and charges from the government (for the first time and for renewal)

The government fees for general ERC is BDT 10,000 plus VAT of 15% and BDT 7,000 plus VAT to renew.

Validity of ERC in Bangladesh

ERC is generally valid for one year. Renewal application has to be made before the license expires. Renewal takes around 7 days.

Common Mistakes to avoid during ERC Application in Bangladesh

·       Not renewing within the 60-day timeframe ahead of time could result in fines or delays.

·       Sending in documents that are missing or wrong.

·       Mixing up the fees that service providers charge with the fees that the government sets.

·       Choosing the wrong type of certificate: standard or indenting ERC.

Compliance post getting ERC in Bangladesh

·       Reporting to CCI&E for the number of exports made

·       Renewing the license on a timely basis

·       Continuing membership of the registered organization

How to Change Information in ERC in Bangladesh

 Changes to your business name, address, bank details, or ownership must be made through CCI&E .

How Bangladesh Consultant can Help?

Bangladesh Consultant is a full-fledged corporate law firm, which indicates that the company’s primary objective is to provide clients with a broad variety of legal services rather than specializing in any one particular sector of the legal profession. It is one of the biggest and most well-respected law firms in Bangladesh, and it provides clients with legal advice that satisfies their requirements and expectations. These clientele include clients from Bangladesh as well as clients from other countries. We offers a wide variety of services relating to business incorporation, including acquiring IRC and ERC registrations, name clearing certificate, VAT and TIN numbers, and trade licenses, among other things. Bangladesh Consultant is staffed with legal professionals that are able to provide a trouble-free legal procedure and help clients secure the necessary certificates and licenses for incorporating a company.

The following list of services, which Bangladesh Consultant provide in order to receive an Export Registration Certificate:

Bangladesh Consultant has a team of wonderful and capable staffs that is able to progress swiftly forward in the process of acquiring an ERC Certificate. In order to apply for ERC, the legal advisers at Bangladesh Consultant may give assistance to the clients via consultations and meetings, and they can also request that the clients to supply the appropriate papers, such as their NID, Trade License, Incorporation certificate, photos, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, and so on. The kinds of papers that are requested for an application are determined by the kind of business being requested.

Legal professionals at Bangladesh Consultant are able to produce all of the essential drafting of paperwork to get ERC. These documents are then distributed to the clients for execution once they have been shared with them. After the customers have signed the necessary paperwork, they are then returned to Bangladesh Consultant together with the other documents that were requested of them.

After that, Bangladesh Consultant finishes the application by handing over the supporting papers to the relevant authorities and maintaining communication with that body in order to get a certified copy of the ERC. Bangladesh Consultant‘s legal professionals have strong working relationships with government agencies like as BIDA and RJSC, which makes it much more effortless for them to secure whatever certificate their clients need.

If the License is about to expire, Bangladesh Consultant will also offer the service of renewing it by completing the required measures at the appropriate times.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, the Export Policy says that all exporters need to have ERCs.

If done right, it will be done the same day; renewals take 4 to 5 business days.

The most recent circular says that it will stay at BDT 10,000 plus VAT.

Usually BDT 7,000 plus VAT

Yes, ERC can be renewed after expiry subject to payment of penalty.

Yes, you can do it through the OLM system, but you can also bring in your paperwork.

 If you need them, you need a trade license, a TIN, proof that your bank is solvent, proof that you are a member of a chamber, and corporate documents.

 You could get fines or have to wait longer for your processing.

You can do this by sending an amendment request to CCI&E and paying any fees that are due plus VAT.

CCI&E works with customs and other government agencies to ensure all your exported products are legal and legitimate.

No, whatever the government fees are applicable you have add VAT separately to that fees.

Yes, exporters can trade items that are allowed to be exported without any restrictions once they have been approved.

Yes, exporters can trade items that are allowed to be exported without any restrictions once they have been approved.

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