Trade licence renewal in Bangladesh is the yearly re-validation of an existing licence with the City Corporation, Pourashava or Union Parishad, due at the start of each fiscal year because every licence expires on 30 June. Renewal requires the previous licence, current premises papers and payment of the fee and charges; late renewal adds surcharges. Changes to name, address, owner or business type are made by amendment.
This page is for businesses that already have a trade licence. Every licence in Bangladesh expires on 30 June, so renewal is an annual task, and most of the trouble we see comes from renewals left for years, or from licences that no longer describe the business: a moved office, a new partner, a converted company, an added activity.
We cover the routine renewal, what happens when you are late, and the common amendments. If you do not yet hold a licence, start with our new trade license application page; for a general explanation of what the licence is, see the trade license overview. Both spellings refer to the same document.
On this page
Annual trade licence renewal
Renewal is usually filed from the start of the new fiscal year in July. In Dhaka, DNCC and DSCC let licence holders renew online by entering the licence number, confirming details, uploading any required updated documents and paying the fee. Other authorities may still need a visit to the zonal or ward office.
Keep the latest holding tax receipt and a valid rent agreement ready, because authorities increasingly check that premises documents are current, not just the ones submitted when the licence was first issued.
- Previous year's trade licence or licence number
- Current rent agreement, or ownership documents if self-owned
- Latest holding tax receipt for the premises
- NID of the proprietor or authorised person, and company documents if anything has changed
- Payment of the renewal fee, signboard charges where applicable and VAT on the fee
Late renewal and arrears
Renewing after the authority's deadline attracts a surcharge, and if several years are skipped the arrears for each missed year are generally payable before the current renewal is issued. Exact surcharge rules are set by each authority's schedule and can change, so we calculate the amount from the current schedule before filing.
Beyond the money, an expired licence causes knock-on problems: banks flag it during KYC reviews, CCI&E will not renew an IRC or ERC against it, and government buyers reject tender documents. Regular renewal is almost always cheaper than catching up.
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Amendments to an existing trade licence
A move to an address in a different City Corporation or Pourashava is not an amendment; it usually means a new licence from the new authority and surrender of the old one. Conversion from a proprietorship to a limited company also generally needs a new licence in the company's name.
- Change of business name, for example after rebranding or a company name change approved by RJSC
- Change of premises address within the same authority's area
- Change of ownership or addition and removal of partners
- Change or addition of business type, which can change the fee category
- Correction of spelling or data errors on the licence
- Duplicate licence where the original is lost or damaged
Keep the trade licence aligned with other records
When you amend the licence, other records usually need to follow: the VAT BIN registration details through a Mushak 2.1 amendment, the IRC or ERC at CCI&E, bank KYC, and the e-TIN record. Making the trade licence change first, then cascading it to the other records in the right order, avoids months of mismatched documents.
How the process works
- Status checkWe review the current licence, last renewal year and any changes in name, address, ownership or activity.
- Calculate duesWe work out the renewal fee, any arrears and surcharges from the authority's current schedule.
- Update documentsWe collect current premises papers and any documents needed for amendments.
- File renewal or amendmentWe submit online or at the zonal office and follow up until the renewed or amended licence is issued.
- Cascade changesWhere details changed, we update BIN, IRC/ERC and bank records so everything matches.
Typical timeline: A routine online renewal is often completed within a day to a few working days; amendments and multi-year arrears cases can take one to a few weeks, depending on documents and the authority's processing.
How Tax & VAT Associates helps
- Annual renewal filing before or soon after 1 July each year
- Arrears and surcharge calculation for licences that lapsed
- Amendments for name, address, ownership and business type changes
- Duplicate licence applications
- Follow-on updates to BIN, IRC/ERC and bank records after an amendment
Frequently asked questions
When should I renew my trade licence?
Every trade licence expires on 30 June, the end of the fiscal year. Renewal opens from the start of the new fiscal year, and the authority sets a deadline after which surcharges apply. Renewing in July or soon after keeps you clear of surcharges and avoids problems with banks and other regulators.
Can I renew my trade licence online?
Yes, in Dhaka through the DNCC and DSCC online systems, and in a growing number of other City Corporations and Pourashavas. You enter the licence number, check the details, upload any required documents and pay online. Some changes still require office verification.
What if I have not renewed my trade licence for several years?
You can usually still renew, but you will normally pay the fees for the missed years along with surcharges set by the authority. We calculate the total from the current schedule, gather updated premises documents and file a single catch-up renewal so the licence is current again.
How do I change the address on my trade licence?
If the new address is within the same City Corporation or Pourashava, apply for an amendment with the new rent agreement and holding tax receipt. If the new address is under a different authority, you generally need a new licence there. After the change, update your BIN, IRC and bank records too.
Can I add a new business activity to my licence?
Yes, through an amendment that changes or adds the business type. This may change the fee category and, for regulated activities, the authority may ask for the relevant sector licence. Make sure the new description also matches your BIN and tax records.
What is the difference between trade licence and trade license?
There is none in substance. Licence is the British English spelling commonly used on official Bangladeshi documents, while license is the American spelling used on many websites and forms. Both refer to the same local authority permit. Use the spelling on your certificate for consistency.
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Learn more →Last reviewed: . 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.