Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Thursday issued a comprehensive consolidated circular updating the country's foreign exchange regulations for export trade transactions, aiming to simplify compliance, promote digital trade, and facilitate export earnings, reports BSS.
The new directive, FEPD-1 Circular No. 26, consolidates all instructions issued since the previous compilation in July 2025 and will remain effective for one year.
It covers merchandise exports, service exports, e-commerce, and transactions involving Export Processing Zones (EPZs), Economic Zones (EZs), Private EPZs, and Hi-Tech Parks.
The circular places strong emphasis on digitalisation by expanding the use of the Online Export Monitoring System (OEMS) for electronic submission of EXP Forms.
Exporters will be required to submit signed hard copies of electronically filed EXP Forms, along with certified Bills of Export and shipping documents, to Authorized Dealers (ADs) within 14 days of shipment.
To support the country's growing digital economy, the central bank introduced detailed guidelines for freelancers and ICT service exporters.
Authorized Dealers have been allowed to issue dual-currency "Freelancer Cards" to facilitate receipt of export earnings. Software and ICT service exporters may retain up to 50 percent of their net export income in foreign currency accounts, while other eligible service exporters can retain up to 30 percent.
The circular also simplifies procedures for e-commerce exports. Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business-to-Consumer (B2B2C) exports conducted through internationally recognised online marketplaces with shipment values up to US$1,000 dollars or equivalent will no longer require an EXP Form, provided export proceeds are received before shipment. In another significant step, Bangladesh Bank has launched a pilot framework for digital processing of trade documents under documentary collections and Letters of Credit (LCs), paving the way for paperless cross-border trade through approved trade corridors.
