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Lesson 28 of 42 · Part J · Level 2 · Explained

Selling online to shoppers abroad: advance orders and marketplaces

Small exporters can now sell goods straight to shoppers abroad, from their own website or from a well-known online marketplace. The USD 5,000 CFR limit per transaction, money in advance, the 14-day EXP form rule, refunds, platform fees and what the bank must report.

J-1J-2

In Lesson 27, Payment service providers, mobile wallets and the ERQ choice, we saw how small export money can reach a mobile wallet through licensed PSPs, and how the bank must ask before turning dollars into Taka. Back in Lesson 25, the circular also told us that the details of acquiring services for e-commerce sit in paragraph 1, Part-J. Today we open Part J itself.

Tasnim, who runs a small online shop in Rajshahi, is back at Eliana's export desk with two big plans and one small worry. "I want buyers abroad to order kanthas straight from my own website," she says. "And I also want to list my jute bags on a well-known online marketplace. But what if a shopper in Canada says the colour is wrong and wants her money back? Do I lose sleep, or only money?"

Eliana has invited this week's guest to the branch session: Shohag, the founder of a garment and textile group and a former leader of an exporters' association. Shohag laughs. "Every exporter starts with one buyer and one worry. The good news is that the rules now let a small shop sell to a single shopper abroad, not only to big importers. The trick is to know the limits before you post the photos."

This lesson covers selling from your own website against orders paid in advance (J-1) and selling through globally recognised online marketplaces (J-2).

Para J-1

Business-to-Consumer export through sales orders against receipt in advance

In plain words

J-1 is about Business-to-Consumer (B2C) export: a Bangladeshi exporter shows goods on an e-commerce website, a shopper abroad places a sales order online, and the money comes in through the internet. To help this, ADs may give acquiring services to eligible exporters, so the export proceeds against those orders come home. The AD follows these steps:

  1. Merchant agreement: the AD must have a merchant agreement with the exporter, and the exporter must have proper arrangements for safe internet transactions.
  2. Small value only: each transaction may be worth no more than USD 5,000, on CFR (Cost and Freight) terms. Transport documents, for a shipment made with the EXP Form procedure, may be issued in the foreign buyer's name.
  3. Money first: when the full export proceeds, settled over the internet, reach the AD's nostro accounts in convertible foreign currency, the EXP Form formalities can be done. The ARV procedure is not needed.
  4. How shoppers pay: through international cards, OPGSPs, digital wallets and other legitimate payment systems licensed by their regulators. The AD must check that its arrangements with foreign counterparts are secure, so the money lands in its nostro accounts before it is given to the customer.
  5. Credit: when the exporter sends the electronic EXP Form no later than 14 days after shipment, the AD credits the proceeds: up to the permissible limit to the ERQ account, the rest to the Taka account. It reports the export and the realised proceeds in the online reporting system, and in the usual monthly returns to Bangladesh Bank.
  6. If the export fails: the money in the nostro accounts may be refunded to the foreign buyer.
  7. Care throughout: the AD does due diligence and follows the relevant laws.

J-1 doesn't state the ERQ permissible limit.

At the desk

A shopper in Canada orders three nakshi kanthas worth USD 240 on CFR terms from Tasnim's own website and pays by international card. The money lands in the nostro account of Eliana's bank, which has a merchant agreement with Tasnim. Tasnim ships the parcel with the EXP Form procedure and the transport document in the shopper's name, and sends her electronic EXP Form nine days after shipment. Eliana credits the allowed share to her ERQ account and the rest in Taka, with no ARV, and reports it in the online reporting system.

Key words
Acquiring service
The service an acquiring bank gives a seller: accepting card or digital-wallet payments that customers make, online or in shops, and bringing the money to the seller's account.
Merchant agreement
A written agreement between a bank and a seller (the "merchant") under which the bank receives card payments for the seller.
CFR
Cost and Freight: the seller pays the sea freight to the destination port; the buyer takes the risk once the goods are on board the ship at the port of loading.
B2C export
Business-to-Consumer export: a Bangladeshi exporter sells goods directly to a shopper abroad, usually through a website or online platform, rather than to an importing company.
Read the rule as written (Para J-1)

In order to promote Business-to-Consumer export by hosting goods on E-Commerce website accessible through internet to foreign buyers, ADs are allowed to provide acquiring services to eligible exporters for repatriation of export proceeds against sales orders of exportable goods received on E-Commerce website. In this context, ADs shall observe the operational procedures as outlined below:

(a) ADs shall have the merchant agreement with the exporters having necessary arrangements for safe internet transactions;

(b) This facility shall only be available for small value export of value in Cost and Freight (CFR) term not exceeding USD 5,000 per transaction. Transport documents for shipment of the goods with EXP Form procedure may be issued in the name of foreign buyer;

(c) On receipt of internet settled full export proceeds in convertible foreign currency in nostro accounts, EXP Form formalities can be observed. Procedure for ARV needs not to be observed in this regard;

(d) Settlement may be executed by way of international cards, OPGSPs, digital wallets, and other legitimate payment systems licensed by the concerned regulatory authorities. ADs shall observe due diligence for secured arrangements with foreign counterparts by which the payments so received need to be credited in their nostro accounts before making the fund available to customers;

(e) ADs shall, on receipt of electronic EXP Form from exporters not exceeding 14 days of shipment, credit export proceeds to the respective accounts (up to permissible limit to ERQ account and remainder in Taka account) of exporters and report the execution of export with proceeds realized in the online reporting system. ADs shall also observe routine procedures to report the transactions to Bangladesh Bank in usual monthly returns;

(f) In case of failure to execute the export, the payment credited in nostro accounts may be refunded to foreign buyers; and

(g) ADs shall exercise due diligence in respect of the transactions and comply with relevant laws/regulations in force.

Source: Bangladesh Bank, FEPD-1 Circular No. 26, 30 July 2026, Part J, paragraph 1 (page 39). The original circular is the authority.

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Para J-2New to the master circular

Business-to-Consumer (B2C) export against orders received from globally recognized online marketplaces/platforms

In plain words

J-2 widens the road. Exporters may now list goods on globally recognised online marketplaces/platforms, so shoppers abroad can buy directly. Think of it as renting a stall in the world's biggest haat instead of only selling from your own shop.

(1) How a sale works:

  • Agreement: the AD checks that the exporter has a valid merchant/participation agreement with the marketplace, covering payment settlement and dispute resolution.
  • Limit: small-value exports only, on CFR terms, up to USD 5,000 or equivalent per transaction.
  • Documents: transport/shipping documents may be in the foreign buyer's name.
  • EXP Form: not needed for shipments up to USD 1,000 (or equivalent) per shipment, as per paragraph 5 of this part (J-5, which Lesson 29 explains), if the full proceeds came in advance through banking channels or legitimate digital payment systems. Other shipments follow the usual EXP Form instructions.
  • Money home: the marketplace or the buyer sends the proceeds through banking channels or legitimate digital payment systems within the prescribed repatriation period from shipment.
  • Fees: marketplace fees and commissions must stay within the limits in paragraph 20, Part-A. ADs check that they are transparent and reasonable.
  • Advance money: on receiving the electronic EXP Form copy (where needed) within 14 days of shipment, the AD credits the ERQ account up to the permissible limit and the rest in Taka. No ARV is needed.

(2) Refunds: for quality claims or returns under the marketplace's rules, the AD may refund overseas buyers from the ERQ account, after verifying that the claim, submitted by the exporter, is bona fide. If the ERQ balance is short, the refund may come from the exporter's Taka account.

(3) Paying the marketplace: ADs may send subscription, registration, membership and other service fees, preferably from the ERQ account. If ERQ money is missing or short, up to USD 5,000 per year may go under paragraph 2(5), Part-O. Each payment needs a valid invoice that fits the exporter's real activity, and any tax must be deducted or paid first.

(4) Records: ADs report every export and realisation in the prescribed routine, keep full audit trails, and do due diligence on exporters, platforms and payment arrangements, under foreign exchange, AML/CFT and other laws.

(5) Telling Bangladesh Bank: within 7 days of allowing an exporter to use this framework, the AD notifies Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1, Head Office, with customer details and the marketplaces where the goods will be listed.

J-2 doesn't state the repatriation period, the ERQ permissible limit or the actual paragraph 20, Part-A limits.

At the desk

Tasnim wants to list jute bags on a well-known online marketplace, and her first order is USD 70, paid in full in advance through a legitimate digital payment system. Eliana checks Tasnim's participation agreement, notes that no EXP Form is needed for a shipment this small, and sends the notice to Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1 within 7 days of allowing her to start. Later, a shopper returns one bag under the marketplace's rules, and after checking the claim Eliana refunds it from Tasnim's ERQ account. Shohag nods. "In business, a fast, honest refund is cheaper than any advertisement."

Key words
Online marketplace/platform
A website where many sellers list goods and shoppers buy them. Under J-2, it must be globally recognised, and the exporter must have a valid merchant/participation agreement with it.
ERQ
Exporters' Retention Quota: the share of export earnings an exporter may keep in foreign currency, in an ERQ account.
ARV
Advance Receipt Voucher: the declaration for money received before export.
Audit trail
A step-by-step record, kept by a system, of who did what and when.
Read the rule as written (Para J-2)

(1) In order to widen the scope of B2C exports and facilitate direct access of Bangladeshi exporters to global consumers, exportable goods may be listed for display on globally recognized online marketplaces/platforms accessible through the internet to foreign buyers. The operational procedures for execution of such transactions are outlined below:

(a) Engagement with online marketplaces/platforms: ADs shall verify that exporters maintain valid merchant/participation agreements with globally recognized online marketplaces /platforms, encompassing payment settlement and dispute resolution mechanisms.

(b) Transaction limit: The facility shall be extended exclusively to small-value exports undertaken on Cost and Freight (CFR) terms, not exceeding USD 5,000 or equivalent per transaction.

(c) Shipping documentation: Transport/shipping documents may be issued in the name of foreign buyers.

(d) EXP Form procedures: EXP Form procedure shall not be required for shipments up to USD 1,000 (or equivalent) per shipment as per paragraph 5 of this part, provided that full export proceeds have been received in advance through banking channels or legitimate digital payment systems. For all other shipments, EXP Form procedure shall be applicable in accordance with existing instructions.

(e) Repatriation of export proceeds: Export proceeds shall be repatriated by online marketplaces/platforms or overseas buyers through banking channels or legitimate digital payment systems within the prescribed repatriation period from the date of shipment.

(f) Marketplaces/platforms charges and commission: Fees, commissions, or other charges payable to online marketplaces/platforms shall conform to the limits stipulated under paragraph 20, Part-A of this circular. ADs shall ensure the transparency and reasonableness of such charges.

(g) Advance payments and realization:

(i) ADs shall, upon receipt of the copy of electronic EXP Form (where applicable) within 14 days of shipment, credit the proceeds to exporters' accounts (up to permissible limit in ERQ account and remainder in Taka account).

(ii) ARV procedure shall not be required for such advance receipts.

(2) Refunds settlement: In the event of quality claims or returns arising in accordance with the rules of the respective marketplaces/platforms:

(a) Refund from ERQ accounts: ADs are authorized to permit refunds to overseas buyers from balances held in ERQ accounts, upon due verification of bona fide claims of overseas buyers submitted by exporters;

(b) Refund from exporter's Taka account: Where insufficient balances exist in ERQ accounts, refunds may be effected from the exporter's Taka account.

(3) Remittances for services of marketplaces/platforms: ADs may effect remittances towards subscription, registration, membership, and other service-related fees payable to online marketplaces/platforms, subject to the following:

(a) Such remittances shall preferably be undertaken from balances available in exporters' ERQ accounts;

(b) In the absence or insufficiency of ERQ balances, remittances may be effected up to USD 5,000 (Five thousand) per annum under the provisions of paragraph 2(5), Part-O of this circular;

(c) ADs shall ensure that such remittances are supported by valid invoices commensurate with the nature and volume of export activities conducted through the respective platforms; and

(d) Applicable taxes, if any, shall be duly deducted and/or remitted in accordance with the laws and regulations in force prior to effecting such remittances.

(4) Reporting and compliance: ADs shall:

(a) Ensure proper reporting of all export transactions and realization of proceeds in accordance with the prescribed reporting routine.

(b) Maintain comprehensive audit trails for every transaction executed under this facility; and

(c) Exercise due diligence with respect to exporters, online platforms, and payment arrangements, whilst ensuring compliance with all applicable foreign exchange regulations, Anti Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements, and other applicable laws.

(5) Reporting of exporters using online platforms: ADs shall notify Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1 of Bangladesh Bank, Head Office within 7 days of allowing exporters to operate under this framework. Such notification shall include details of customers, along with the relevant online marketplaces/platforms on which they intend to list exportable goods.

Source: Bangladesh Bank, FEPD-1 Circular No. 26, 30 July 2026, Part J, paragraph 2 (page 39). The original circular is the authority.

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Putting it together

So far: Under J-1, ADs may give acquiring services to exporters who sell from their own e-commerce websites, for orders of up to USD 5,000 per transaction on CFR terms, with full money received in the nostro account first, no ARV, an electronic EXP Form within 14 days of shipment, and a refund to the buyer if the export fails. Under J-2, exporters may also sell through globally recognised online marketplaces, with the same USD 5,000 limit, no EXP Form for advance-paid shipments up to USD 1,000, refunds from the ERQ or Taka account, marketplace fees within set limits, and a notice to Bangladesh Bank within 7 days.

Next: Lesson 29, Cash on delivery, small-value sales and selling through partners abroad.

Check yourself

30 questions, in 3 sets of up to 10. Nobody sees your answers but you.

Set 1 of 3

1. Under J-1, what may ADs provide to eligible exporters who sell goods on an e-commerce website?
2. Under J-1(b), what is the highest value allowed per transaction?
3. On which trade term must the value of a J-1 export be counted?
4. Under J-1(a), what must an AD have with the exporter?
5. Under J-1(c), when can the EXP Form formalities be observed?
6. Under J-1(e), within what time must the exporter send the electronic EXP Form for the AD to credit the proceeds?
7. True or false: under J-1(c), the ARV procedure must be followed for money received against website sales orders.
8. True or false: under J-1(d), the AD must make sure the shopper's payment is credited in its nostro account before making the fund available to the customer.
9. Tasnim asks Eliana which ways her website buyers abroad may pay under J-1(d). What is the accurate answer?
10. A website order of USD 6,200 on CFR terms reaches Eliana's desk from Tasnim's shop. What should Eliana tell her about the J-1 facility?

Set 2 of 3

11. Tasnim's website buyer has paid in full, but a flood stops the parcel from leaving and the export fails. What does J-1(f) allow?
12. Eliana receives Tasnim's electronic EXP Form ten days after shipment of a USD 300 website order. How should she credit and report it?
13. Under J-2(1)(a), what must the AD verify about an exporter selling on an online marketplace?
14. Under J-2(1)(d), up to what value per shipment is the EXP Form procedure not required, if full proceeds came in advance?
15. Which paragraph sets the limits that marketplace fees and commissions must follow under J-2(1)(f)?
16. Under J-2(3)(b), how much may be remitted per year for marketplace service fees when ERQ balances are missing or short?
17. Under J-2(5), within how many days must the AD notify Bangladesh Bank after allowing an exporter to use the marketplace framework?
18. Which department of Bangladesh Bank receives the J-2(5) notification?
19. Under J-2(1)(e), who may send the export proceeds home?
20. Under J-2(3)(a), from where should marketplace subscription and membership fees preferably be paid?

Set 3 of 3

21. Under J-2(4)(b), what must ADs keep for every transaction under the marketplace facility?
22. True or false: under J-2(1)(c), transport/shipping documents for a marketplace sale may be issued in the name of the foreign buyer.
23. True or false: under J-2(2)(b), if the ERQ balance is not enough, a refund to an overseas buyer cannot be made at all.
24. True or false: under J-2(1)(g)(ii), the ARV procedure is required for advance receipts from marketplace sales.
25. Tasnim sells a jute bag set worth USD 850 on a marketplace, and the shopper paid the full amount in advance through a legitimate digital payment system. What does Eliana tell her about the EXP Form?
26. A marketplace order for USD 3,400 of kanthas, paid in advance, reaches Tasnim. What applies to the EXP Form?
27. A shopper returns a faulty kantha under the marketplace's return rules. Tasnim submits the claim and her ERQ account has enough balance. What may Eliana do?
28. Tasnim has no ERQ balance yet and must pay a USD 120 yearly membership fee to a marketplace. She brings a valid invoice. What does J-2(3) allow?
29. Tasnim's marketplace invoice shows a commission far above what seems fair for her small sales. What does J-2(1)(f) expect Eliana's bank to do?
30. Eliana's bank lets Tasnim start selling through a marketplace on Monday. What must the notice to Bangladesh Bank include?
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