BSTI Certification and Licensing in Bangladesh

BSTI certification is one of the approvals that catches new manufacturers and importers by surprise. If your product is on the mandatory certification list, you cannot legally produce, sell, distribute or advertise it in Bangladesh without the BSTI mark, and imported consignments of listed products are held at customs until BSTI testing is completed.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution sets Bangladesh Standards (BDS), tests products in its laboratories, issues certification marks licences, and through its metrology wing oversees weights, measures and packaged goods. This page explains which part of that system applies to you and how the main processes work. It is written for factory owners, brand owners and importers.

Which products need BSTI certification

The government publishes a list of products under mandatory BSTI certification, which is expanded from time to time. It covers a wide range of food and beverage items, cosmetics and toiletries, electrical and electronic goods, construction materials, chemical products and others. Products not on the list may still be certified voluntarily against BDS.

Always check the current list against your exact product and its BDS standard, because the obligation attaches to specific product descriptions. We verify this before you commit to production or an import order.

Documents for a BSTI CM licence

• Application in the BSTI form, now largely submitted online
• Trade license, e-TIN and VAT BIN of the manufacturer
• RJSC incorporation documents for companies, or partnership deed
• Factory layout, list of machinery and production process flow
• List of quality control equipment and qualified QC personnel
• Raw material sources and product specifications, labels and packaging
• Environmental clearance, fire licence or other permits where applicable to the factory
• Prescribed application, testing and licence fees

Inspection, sampling and testing

After the application is accepted, BSTI inspectors visit the factory to check production facilities, hygiene where relevant, in-house testing capability and record-keeping. They draw samples, which are tested in BSTI laboratories against the applicable BDS standard. If samples fail, the applicant must correct the issue and resubmit samples.

Once the factory and samples pass, the CM licence is issued for a fixed period and the product may carry the BSTI mark with the licence number. BSTI can carry out surveillance inspections and market sampling during the licence period, and the licence must be renewed before expiry.

BSTI requirements for importers

Importers of products on the mandatory list must have samples from the consignment tested by BSTI, or present acceptable test reports where the rules allow, before customs releases the goods. Labels must meet Bangladeshi requirements, including product name, net quantity, manufacturer and importer details, and dates where relevant. Plan for this in your shipment schedule, because port storage charges accumulate while testing is pending.

Weights, measures and packaged commodities

Separately from product certification, BSTI's metrology wing enforces the Standards of Weights and Measures law. Packaged commodities must show correct net quantity and other mandatory declarations, and businesses that pack goods may need registration of packaged commodities. Shops and factories using weighing scales and measuring instruments must have them verified.

Common mistakes

• Starting production or marketing before the CM licence is issued
• Importing a listed product without budgeting time for BSTI testing
• Labels that do not match the approved product or omit mandatory information
• No in-house QC equipment or records at the time of inspection
• Letting the licence expire while products bearing the mark are still in the market

How the process works

1. Product mappingWe check whether your product is on the mandatory list and identify the applicable Bangladesh Standard.
2. Gap reviewWe review factory layout, QC equipment, labels and documents against BSTI expectations before applying.
3. ApplicationWe prepare and submit the BSTI application with supporting documents and fees.
4. Inspection and samplesWe help you prepare for the factory inspection and track laboratory testing of samples.
5. Licence and renewalAfter the CM licence is issued we diarise renewal and surveillance requirements.

Typical timeline: A BSTI CM licence typically takes from several weeks to a few months, depending on factory readiness, laboratory testing and BSTI's processing; import consignment testing usually adds days to a few weeks to clearance.

How Tax & VAT Associates helps

• Confirmation of whether your product falls under mandatory BSTI certification
• Pre-inspection gap review of factory, QC and labelling
• Preparation and filing of CM licence applications and renewals
• Coordination of import consignment testing with your C&F agent
• Guidance on packaged commodity labelling and metrology requirements

Frequently asked questions

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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.