Company and Business Registration in Bangladesh

Company and business registration in Bangladesh is not a single certificate. Depending on how you structure the business, you may need one registration or six, from different offices. Many first-time founders assume that RJSC registration is enough, or that a trade licence alone makes a business legal, and only discover the missing pieces when opening a bank account or bidding for a contract.

This page maps registrations by business type so you can see exactly what applies to you. It is meant for anyone starting out in Bangladesh, including freelancers formalising their work, family businesses adding partners, and foreign entrepreneurs. Links take you to detailed pages for each registration.

Registration by business structure

The structure determines the legal registration; the activities determine the licences that follow.

• Sole proprietorship: no RJSC registration; trade licence from the City Corporation, Pourashava or Union Parishad, e-TIN for the owner, BIN if VAT applies, bank account in the business name
• Partnership firm: partnership deed, optional but advisable registration with RJSC under the Partnership Act 1932, trade licence, firm TIN, BIN
• Private or public limited company or OPC: RJSC incorporation, then company e-TIN, trade licence, BIN and bank account
• Society or association: registration under the Societies Registration Act 1860 with RJSC
• Trust: registration of the trust deed under the Trusts Act 1882 and the Registration Act
• NGO receiving foreign funds: registration with the NGO Affairs Bureau under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act 2016
• Foreign company: branch, liaison office or subsidiary routes involving BIDA and RJSC

Registrations almost every business needs

Beyond the structural registration, most operating businesses in Bangladesh share a core set of registrations. The trade licence is the local authority's permission to carry on trade at a particular address and is renewed annually. The e-TIN from NBR is needed for bank accounts, tax deductions and many contracts. The Business Identification Number (BIN) is obtained online with Mushak 2.1 under the VAT and SD Act 2012, or enlistment for turnover tax where eligible, and is commonly requested by buyers and banks.

Activity-based licences and registrations

Depending on what you do, more registrations may follow. Getting these early avoids stopped shipments or closed premises.

• IRC and ERC from the CCI&E for importers and exporters
• BSTI certification for products under mandatory standards
• Fire licence and environmental clearance for factories and certain premises
• Factory licence from DIFE for industrial units
• Trademark registration with DPDT to protect the brand
• Sector licences, for example for travel agencies, recruiting agencies, food businesses or pharmaceuticals

Choosing the right structure before registering

Registering the wrong structure is costly to undo. A proprietorship is fine for a small owner-run business, but it cannot take in investors and the owner carries unlimited liability. A partnership adds co-owners but shares personal liability. A private limited company suits most growing businesses and all foreign investment. Consider how many owners you have, whether you will raise capital, who your customers are and whether you need limited liability, then register accordingly.

Common registration mistakes

Each of these can be fixed, but fixing them later usually costs more time than doing it right at the start.

• Trading under a company name before RJSC incorporation is complete
• Trade licence issued for a different activity or address than the actual business
• Partnership deed signed but never registered, weakening partners' ability to enforce rights in court
• Failing to file monthly VAT returns once a BIN is issued
• Opening a business bank account in a personal name, complicating tax and audit

How the process works

1. Discuss your businessTell us your activities, owners, location and growth plans so we can recommend the structure.
2. Registration mapWe give you a written list of every registration and licence needed, in the right order.
3. Structural registrationWe register the company, partnership, society or other entity with the relevant authority.
4. Core registrationsWe obtain e-TIN, trade licence and BIN and support bank account opening.
5. Activity licencesWe apply for IRC, ERC, BSTI, fire or other licences that your activity requires.
6. Compliance handoverWe set up reminders for renewals and periodic returns so registrations stay valid.

Typical timeline: Simple proprietorship registrations can be completed within a couple of weeks, while company formation with all core registrations typically takes several weeks; activity licences vary widely with the authority's processing.

How Tax & VAT Associates helps

• Structure recommendation with pros, cons and costs
• A personalised registration and licence checklist
• RJSC company, partnership and society registration
• e-TIN, trade licence, BIN and bank account support
• IRC, ERC, BSTI and other sector licence applications
• Renewal and return reminders after registration

Frequently asked questions

Related services

Last reviewed: 6 October 2026. Bangladesh tax and regulatory rules change with each Finance Act, SRO and authority circular. This page is general guidance; confirm current requirements for your case before filing.