When you order a phone online, you either pay one price with delivery included, or you pay for the phone and arrange the courier yourself. In trade, the first is like CFR/CPT (the seller pays the carriage) and the second is like FOB (the buyer pays it).
Bangladesh's rules prefer the first. When an importer chooses the second, the bank has extra work: it pays the freight, records it, and gives the importer a certificate without which no shipping company will take the money. This lesson shows how.
The LC or purchase contract must include a suitable Incoterm, in line with the Import Policy Order.
Imports are usually on CFR or CPT terms (whichever fits): the seller arranges and pays the main carriage to Bangladesh.
Imports on FOB terms are allowed, but follow the special steps in A-15.
At the desk
A client asks Mou, "Can I buy FOB? My freight forwarder gives me a good rate." Mou says yes, it can be done, but explains the extra steps: the freight is paid separately, endorsed on the documents, and covered by a certificate. "CFR is simpler; FOB is fine if you follow the steps," she says.
Key words
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.
CPT
Carriage Paid To: like CFR, but for any transport, not only sea.
FOB
Free On Board: the seller loads the goods on the ship; the buyer pays the sea freight.
Read the rule as written (Para A-10)
Appropriate Incoterms should be incorporated in the letter of credit/purchase contract in compliance with the IPO in force. Import shall usually be made on CFR/CPT basis (as the case may be). However, import on FOB basis shall be subject to the provisions mentioned in paragraph 15 of this part.
Source: Bangladesh Bank, FEPD-1 Circular No. 30, 13 August 2026, Part A, paragraph 10 (page 9). The original circular is the authority.
On an FOB import, the importer must pay the freight separately. Here is how it works:
The bank may pay the freight, if the importer asks, in Taka or in foreign currency, to shipping companies, airlines or eligible licensed freight forwarders. This comes out of the total import value (goods plus transport).
Freight received in foreign currency goes into the foreign currency accounts of those shipping companies, airlines or forwarders, for their payments abroad.
The bank endorses the transport charges beside the FOB value, as shown in the bill of lading, plus any miscellaneous charges shown in the airway bill.
The bank gives the importer a certificate (Appendix-3) saying the transport charges have been endorsed on that import.
Why the certificate matters. Shipping companies and airlines are instructed not to accept freight payment without it. And banks must not deposit the money in their own FC accounts meant for paying out surplus earnings or foreign liabilities without it.
Two more points:
Freight for FOB imports on a chartered ship follows its own instructions.
If the FOB value plus the transport charges comes to more than the import value, the case goes to Bangladesh Bank with full details and evidence.
At the desk
An FOB shipment of machinery arrives. The bill of lading shows freight of USD 6,000. Sajib endorses "Freight USD 6,000" beside the FOB value on the documents and issues the Appendix-3 certificate. The importer takes it to the shipping line's office, and the freight payment is accepted. Without that one page, the importer would have been sent back to the bank.
Key words
Freight
The charge for carrying goods by ship, air or road.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
Shipping document for sea cargo; it is the title to the goods.
Freight forwarder
A company that arranges transport and paperwork for shippers.
Chartered ship
A whole ship hired for a particular voyage or period, instead of space on a regular line.
Read the rule as written (Para A-15)
In case of import on FOB basis, AD banks may at the request of their importer clients make payments of freight/transportation charges in Taka or in equivalent foreign exchange to shipping companies/airlines/eligible licensed freight forwarders, out of the total import value covering costs of goods and transportation charges. The receipts in foreign exchange will be deposited in foreign currency accounts maintained by the shipping companies /airlines/eligible licensed freight forwarders for settlement of overseas payments as per relevant instructions in this regard. In case of FOB imports, AD should endorse, beside FOB value, the transportation charges payable in foreign currency or in equivalent Taka as indicated in the bill of lading, etc. along with miscellaneous charges, if any, as indicated in the airway bill. ADs should also issue a certificate to the importers in the form given in Appendix-3 to the effect that the amount of transportation charges etc. has been endorsed on the relative import. The issue of this certificate is essential as the shipping companies/airlines, etc. is under instructions not to accept payment of freight in Taka or FC unless the above-mentioned certificate is produced to them. Moreover, ADs shall not deposit the amount in their FC accounts designated for outward payment on account of surplus earnings/foreign liabilities without this certificate. However, payment of transportation charges against FOB import through chartered ship is subject to compliance of relevant instructions. In cases where the FOB value and the amount of transportation charges payable in Taka or foreign currency exceeds the value of the relative import, the application should be referred to Bangladesh Bank for consideration with full particulars and supporting documentary evidence.
Source: Bangladesh Bank, FEPD-1 Circular No. 30, 13 August 2026, Part A, paragraph 15 (page 10). The original circular is the authority.
Well done, you've finished Part A of the Import room! You now know the whole journey: who makes the rules (Lesson 1), reporting to OIMS (2), checking the price (3), the IMP form and the Bill of Entry (4), who you may import for (5), how much may be paid and at what rate (6), and how freight is paid on FOB imports (7). The next parts of the Import room will build on exactly these ideas.
Check yourself
Four quick questions. Nobody sees your answers but you.
A-10: import shall usually be made on CFR/CPT basis; FOB follows the provisions of A-15.
A-15: ADs may pay freight in Taka or foreign currency to shipping companies, airlines or eligible licensed freight forwarders.
A-15: shipping companies and airlines are instructed not to accept freight payment in Taka or FC unless this certificate is produced.
A-15: such applications should be referred to Bangladesh Bank for consideration, with full particulars and supporting documentary evidence.
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