IRC and ERC are registration certificates issued by the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E) in Bangladesh. The Import Registration Certificate (IRC) lets a business import goods commercially or as industrial inputs; the Export Registration Certificate (ERC) lets it export. Both require a trade license, e-TIN, BIN, chamber or association membership and bank documents, and both are renewed every fiscal year.
IRC and ERC registration is required under the Import and Export (Control) Act 1950 and the registration orders made under it. Without an IRC, an AD bank will not open a letter of credit for commercial imports; without an ERC, a business cannot complete export formalities with its bank and customs. Both certificates are issued by CCI&E, which now handles applications through its online licensing system.
This page explains both certificates side by side for businesses getting registered for the first time. If you already hold an IRC and need help with a slab increase, category change or lapsed renewals, see our IRC consulting page; for the broader trade compliance chain, see export and import support.
On this page
IRC vs ERC: what each certificate does
- Commercial IRC: for traders importing goods for resale, issued in value categories that cap annual imports
- Industrial IRC: for manufacturers importing raw materials, packing materials and spares for their own production, linked to industrial registration
- ERC: for businesses exporting goods, including manufacturer-exporters and merchant exporters
- Many manufacturers need both an industrial IRC and an ERC; garment and other export-oriented units in EPZs follow BEPZA or BEZA procedures
Who needs IRC and ERC
Any proprietorship, partnership or company that imports goods commercially needs an IRC. Individuals importing personal goods within baggage rules do not. Any business exporting goods commercially needs an ERC. Service exporters, such as IT companies earning foreign currency, generally do not need an ERC for service exports but must still route and report receipts through their bank under Bangladesh Bank's rules.
Foreign-owned companies follow the same process, usually after BIDA or zone registration, since industrial IRCs for foreign-invested manufacturers commonly rely on that registration.
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Documents for IRC and ERC
- Valid trade license showing an import or export-related business type
- e-TIN certificate and VAT BIN certificate of the business
- Membership certificate of a recognised chamber of commerce or trade association
- Bank solvency certificate or encashment certificate from the business's bank
- For companies: Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles, and Form XII or list of directors
- For partnerships: registered or notarised partnership deed
- NID and photographs of the proprietor, partners or directors
- For industrial IRC: industrial registration from BIDA, BSCIC or the relevant authority, and production capacity documents
- Premises documents such as a rent agreement
Fees, categories and renewal
Registration fees for the commercial IRC depend on the value category chosen; ERC and industrial IRC fees follow their own schedule. Renewal fees are payable every fiscal year. Fees and value categories are set by the government and revised periodically, so we confirm them from CCI&E's current schedule rather than quoting fixed amounts.
Renewal is due each fiscal year. If a renewal is missed, the certificate cannot be used for new LCs or export documents until it is renewed with arrears and late fees. Chamber or association membership must also be renewed, because CCI&E checks it.
Common mistakes
- Trade license business type that does not cover import or export
- Different names or addresses across trade license, TIN, BIN and RJSC documents
- Choosing an IRC value category too low for the first year's imports
- Applying for a commercial IRC when the business actually imports production inputs
- Forgetting chamber membership renewal, which then blocks IRC or ERC renewal
How the process works
- Eligibility and categoryWe confirm whether you need an IRC, an ERC or both, and which IRC category fits your planned trade.
- Base documentsWe check or obtain the trade license, e-TIN, BIN and chamber membership, aligning all names and addresses.
- Bank documentsWe help obtain the solvency or encashment certificate from your bank.
- Online applicationWe file the IRC or ERC application on the CCI&E online system and pay the government fee.
- Verification and issueWe respond to any query from CCI&E until the certificate is issued and share it with your AD bank.
- Renewal calendarWe diarise annual renewals of the IRC, ERC and chamber membership.
Typical timeline: Once the base documents are in order, an IRC or ERC is typically issued within one to a few weeks, depending on the completeness of the file and CCI&E's processing; industrial IRCs may take longer.
How Tax & VAT Associates helps
- Assessment of which certificates and categories your business needs
- Preparation of trade license, TIN, BIN and chamber membership prerequisites
- IRC and ERC applications through the CCI&E online system
- Coordination with your AD bank on solvency certificates and LC readiness
- Annual renewal management for IRC, ERC and chamber membership
Frequently asked questions
What is IRC in Bangladesh?
IRC stands for Import Registration Certificate. It is issued by the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E) and allows a business to import goods commercially or as industrial raw materials. Banks require a valid IRC before opening letters of credit for commercial imports.
What is ERC in Bangladesh?
ERC stands for Export Registration Certificate. Also issued by CCI&E, it allows a business to export goods from Bangladesh. Exporters present it to their bank and customs as part of export documentation, and it must be renewed every fiscal year.
Can I get IRC and ERC at the same time?
Yes. If your business both imports and exports, you can apply for both certificates, and the supporting documents largely overlap. Many manufacturers hold an industrial IRC for raw materials and an ERC for finished goods. Each certificate has its own fee.
Is chamber membership required for IRC and ERC?
In practice yes. CCI&E generally requires a membership certificate from a recognised chamber of commerce or trade association for both new applications and renewals, so membership needs to be kept current each year. Lapsed membership blocks renewal. We can confirm the current requirement for your case.
Do IT and service exporters need an ERC?
ERC is mainly for exporters of goods. Exporters of services, such as software or BPO companies, usually do not need an ERC, but they must receive payments through banking channels and comply with Bangladesh Bank's reporting rules for export proceeds.
Can I apply for IRC online?
Yes. CCI&E accepts IRC and ERC applications and renewals through its online licensing system, with uploaded documents and online fee payment. The office may still raise queries or ask for originals in some cases. Keep scanned copies of all base documents ready before starting.
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