Database

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BANGLADESH

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Bangladesh has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal

BANGLADESH

Reported in 2022, last reported in 2026

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Complaints about payments' routing through the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB)
The National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) is an electronic platform established in December 2012 to facilitate interoperability among scheduled banks for card-based and online retail transactions. Foreign enterprises operating in the financial services and payment network sectors, such as Visa and Mastercard, have expressed concerns about their operations in the Bangladeshi market following the central bank’s implementation of a mandatory policy requiring all card transactions to be routed through the NPSB. They argue that this policy limits competition and raises security concerns, as the NPSB constitutes a single point of failure in the event of a system crash.
Coverage Financial sector

BANGLADESH

Since September 2019, as amended in May 2025

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Customs (De Minimis) Rules, 2019 (কাস্টমস (ডি মিনিমিস) বিধিমালা, ২০১৯)
The Customs (De Minimis) Rules, as amended in May 2025, permit the duty-free importation of eligible low-value consignments, including non-commercial goods, samples, and other small consignments, with a maximum value of BDT 4,000 (approx. USD 40). This de minimis threshold remains lower than the USD 200 benchmark recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Coverage Horizontal

BANGLADESH

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Restrictions on domain names
Commercial presence requirement for domain names registry
Access to local domain names in Bangladesh is subject to documentation and eligibility requirements. The “.bd” country-code top-level domain is managed by the Posts and Telecommunications Division, while Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) is listed as the technical contact and operates the official registration service.
BTCL requires applicants seeking to register a “.bd” or “.বাংলা” domain name to create a profile and upload the applicable supporting documents. These may include a national identity card, a trade licence, approval or forwarding letters, or a certificate from the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms. Accordingly, access to local domain names is not fully unrestricted, as registration depends on compliance with domestic documentation and eligibility requirements.
Coverage Horizontal

BANGLADESH

Since April 2009

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009 - Act No. 26 of 2009 (ভোক্তা-অধিকার সংরক্ষণ আইন, ২০০৯)
The Consumers’ Right Protection Act provides a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions.
Coverage Horizontal

BANGLADESH

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Bangladesh has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal

BANGLADESH

Since 2006

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Bangladesh has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal

BANGLADESH

Since April 2022, last amended in December 2024

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Import ban applied on ICT goods or online services
Import Policy Order, 2021-2024
Annexure 1, Part B of the Import Policy Order of 2021–2024 stipulates that the import of reconditioned office equipment, photocopiers, typewriters, telex machines, telephones, fax machines, old computers, old computer accessories, and other old electronic devices is prohibited in Bangladesh.
Coverage Reconditioned office equipment, photocopiers, typewriters, telex machines, telephones, fax machines, old computers, old computer accessories, and other old electronic devices

BANGLADESH

Since April 2022, last amended in December 2024

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Import ban applied on ICT goods or online services
Import Policy Order, 2021-2024
According to Clause 4.d of the Import Policy Order of 2021–2024, goods originating from Israel, those manufactured within its territory, and goods transported by vessels flying the Israeli flag shall not be eligible for importation.
Coverage Goods originating from Israel

BANGLADESH

Since April 2022, last amended in December 2024

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Import Policy Order, 2021-2024
Clause 10.1 of the Import Policy Order of 2021–2024 stipulates that prior approval from the Chief Comptroller of Import and Export is required for unregistered companies that import goods valued above USD 10,000.
Coverage Horizontal

BANGLADESH

Since April 2022, last amended in December 2024

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
Export Policy 2024-2027
Annex 2 of the Export Policy for 2024–2027 stipulates that a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from the Ministry of Information is required for the export of entertainment programmes, music, drama, films, documentary films, and similar content in any form. This restriction has been consistently included in every Export Policy since 2012.
Coverage Entertainment programmes, music, drama, films, documentary films, and similar content in the form of audio cassettes, video cassettes, CDs, DVDs, and other media

BANGLADESH

Reported in 2019

Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Open and transparent standard-setting process
Concerns regarding transparency in the standard-setting process
It is reported that there is a lack of transparency in the standards domain. Approximately 1,500 out of 3,768 Bangladesh Standards (BDSs) remain unpublished. In addition, Bangladesh has yet to submit any notifications regarding draft measures, including technical regulations or conformity assessment procedures, to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade.
Coverage Horizontal

BANGLADESH

Reported in 2024

Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Supplier Declaration of Conformity not allowed for foreign businesses
It is reported that Bangladesh currently lacks a comprehensive type-approval system, governed by a dedicated law, to regulate the approval of telecommunication and radio equipment. Consequently, manufacturers and importers are required to obtain a "No Objection Certificate "(NOC) to import such devices. This certificate is issued upon the request of a licensed local importer and serves as confirmation that the equipment complies with at least the country’s fundamental regulatory requirements. To obtain the certificate, applicants must submit product specifications and test reports to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), yet in-country testing is not required. An acceptable CE report is required for the issuance of a BTRC NOC in Bangladesh.
Coverage Electronic products

BANGLADESH

Since July 2021

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Licensing scheme for e-commerce providers
Digital Commerce Operation Guidelines, 2021 (ডিজিটাল কমার্স পরিচালনা নির্দেশিকা -২০২১)
Pursuant to Section 3.1.18 of the Digital Commerce Operation Guidelines, all foreign digital commerce platforms conducting business in Bangladesh must register in the country and obtain the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. In addition, in accordance with Section 3.1.13, measures shall be undertaken to ensure that all digital commerce platforms are progressively mandated to acquire a Unique Business Identification Number (UBID). Additionally, as stipulated in Section 3.1.9, the implementation of digital wallets, gift cards, cash vouchers, or other payment alternatives shall not be permitted without the Central Bank's approval.
Coverage Digital commerce platforms

BANGLADESH

Reported in 2022, last reported in 2024

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Reported restrictions on Internet Banking Fund Transfer (IBFT) transactions
It is reported that limitations have been imposed on both individual and institutional Internet Banking Fund Transfer (IBFT) transactions. For individual users, the maximum permissible amount per transaction is 300,000 taka (approx. USD 2,500), with a maximum transaction frequency of 10 times per day, not exceeding a total of 1,000,000 taka (approx. USD 8,000) per day. For corporate entities, the transaction limit is 500,000 taka (approx. USD 4,000) per transaction, with a maximum frequency of 20 transactions per day and a daily limit of 2,500,000 taka (approx. USD 21,000).
Coverage Horizontal

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