RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/BOP/G/1
23April 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-1772)
Original: English Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions
1997 CONSULTATION WITH BANGLADESH UNDER ARTICLE XVIII:12(b)
Written Statement bytheGovernment ofBangladesh
Under theSimplified Procedures forConsultation
1. Inorder toraiseforeign exchange reserves Bangladesh received conditional balance-of-payment
support under Structural Adjustment Facilities (SAF) from theIMF during theperiod 1989-90.
Liberalization ofimport trade wasoneofthose conditions. After expiry ofSAFtheIMFextended
theproject asESAF. Bangladesh iscommitted toeffect gradual withdrawal ofimport prohibitions.
2. Bangladesh inherited arestrictive trade regime, andinthe1980s theprocess ofliberalization
andsimplification ofimport trade gotunder way. InFY1989/90 alarge positive listofimportable
items wasreplaced byanegative andrestricted listanditems notincluded inthelistwere freely
importable. IntheImport Policy Order (IPO) of1995-97 twoseparate lists,i.e.,anegative listfor
theitems banned andarestricted listforitems importable under certain conditions areprovided. The
items remaining outside thelistsarefreely importable.
3. Therestrictions havebeensofarrelaxed thatthenumber ofnegative andrestricted items have
beenreduced from 703to118during thelasttenyears. Thetaskundertaken isnotcomplete andit
isbeing continued asagradual andcontinuous process.
4. Thesalient features appearing intheIPOof1995-97 are:
(a) Gradual withdrawal/removal ofimport restrictions.
(b) Restrictions onimport ofseveral items havebeenremoved andprovisions forimport
ofgreycloth byexport-oriented industries havebeenmodified.
(c) Provisions forallocation offoreign currency bytheGovernment havebeenabolished.
(d) ThePassBookSystemhasbeendoneawaywithsince4December1994.Theimporters
arenowatliberty toimport anyquantity ofimportable items.
(e) Limit ofimport against LCAwithout LChasbeenraised from$2,500 to$5,000 during
eachfiscal yearagainst remittance from Bangladesh.
(f) Following agreement withtheIMF, barter andSTAsystems havebeenabolished.
(g) Modifications andsimplifications regarding import ofaccessories ofready-made
garments, fertilizers, import onconsignment basis, insurance, etc.areunder active
consideration.
5. Forready reference thelistsofnegative andrestricted items annexed hereto.WT/BOP/G/1
Page2
Annex I
Listofitems banned orrestricted fortrade reasons
Srl H.S. heading
numberH.S. Code
numberDescription ofitems Type ofrestriction
1. 01.05 AllH.S. Codes Chicks except for"parent stock" and"grand-parent stock" Banned
2. 04.07 0407.00 Eggs except "hatching eggs" Banned
3. 14.04 1404.901 Tendu leaves (Birileaves) Banned
4. 48.19 AllH.S. Codes Allcartons except (1)Outer carton: system which isusedin
State Express 555cigarettes; and(2)Alltypes ofcarton
except laminated inner carton usedforexport ofallfrozen
foodincluding shrimpsBanned
5. 50.07 AllH.S. Codes Woven fabrics ofsilkorofsilkwaste Banned
6. 52.08 to52.12 AllH.S. Codes Allitems except items mentioned below:
(i) Long cloth (white onlyupto33scounts; andwidth up
to36inches.
(ii) Poplin including shirting white, dyed, printed, striped
andchecks, upto40scounts andwidth upto
36inches.
(iii) Cambric including shirting white, dyed, printed,
striped andchecks upto40scounts andwidth upto
36inches.
(iv) Serge andgabardine ofwidth upto45inches ofall
constructions.
(v) Twill andcorduroy ofwidth upto45inches ofall
constructions.
(vi) Mull, organdie, lawn, voile white, dyed orprinted up
to65scounts andwidth 35inches.
(vii) Flannel white, dyed andprinted upto45inches
width.
(viii) Cotton synthetic blended suiting ofallconstructions
upto60inches width.
(ix) Cotton synthetic blended suiting white, dyed and
printed upto45inches width.
(x) Umbrella cloth.Banned
7. 54.07 and
54.08AllH.S. Codes (i) Shirting andsuiting of85%ormore byweight of
synthetic orman-made fibre(synthetic, regenerated or
blended yarnorboth) andsimilar fabric inanyform,
including feltsandcutpieces except polyester shear of
mesh 80-150 required forscreen printing
machine/table andsource fabrics of85%ormore by
weight, ofsynthetic ofman-made fibre(synthetic,
regenerated orblended yarnofboth) inpiece
5.50 yards to6yards notinthanorroll.
(ii) Felts, cutpieces, fabrics cutintosizes ofpiece goods;
and
(iii) Cotton synthetic blended suiting ofallconstructions
forscreen printing machine/table.Banned
Annex I(cont'd)WT/BOP/G/1
Page3
Srl H.S. heading
numberH.S. Code
numberDescription ofitems Type ofrestriction
8. 55.12 to55.16 AllH.S. codes Thefollowing except polyester shear ofmesh 80-150
required forscreen printing machine/table.
(i) Shirting andsuiting of85%ormore byweight of
synthetic orman-made fibre(synthetic, regenerated or
blended yarnofboth) andsimilar fabrics inanyform;
(ii) Felts, cutpieces, fabrics cutintosizes andprices
goods;
(iii) Cotton andsynthetic blended suiting white, dyed
printed above 45inches width; and
(iv) Cotton synthetic blended suiting ofallconstructions
above 60inches width.Banned
9. 56.07 5607.41 to
5607.90Ropes made ofnylon andpolythene except nylon cordfor
V-beltBanned
10. 60.01;60.02 AllH.S. Codes Allitems except knitfabrics, mesh fabrics, pocketing cloth,
ribbing materials, nylon shirting andknitfabric, brassiere
paddingBanned
11. 90.28 9028.30 Single phase electric meter (incompletely built-up condition) Banned
12. 17.01 AllH.S. Codes (a) Rawsugar (white crystal sugar orrefined crystal
sugar withpolarization notlessthan99.7ineither
case). Unrefined sugar/Gur.
(b) Other sugars (beet sugar andcanesugar insolid
form).
(c) Sucrose, chemically puresugar andrefined sugar.Restricted
13. 25.01 AllH.S. Codes (a) Common salt,except table salt.
(b) Table salt.Restricted
14. 52.08 to52.12 AllH.S. Codes (i) Grey cloth, allsorts.
(ii) Indigo denim (jeans fabrics) 100% cotton fabrics
above 36inches width (inthanorroll)notincut
pieces orcuttosize.
(iii) Combat cloth; and
(iv) Drillandcellular dyed including mineral khaki.Restricted
15. 55.12 to55.16 AllH.S. Codes (i) Grey cloth, allsorts.
(ii) Combat cloth.Restricted
16. 60.01;60.02 AllH.S. Codes Knitfabrics, mesh fabrics, pocketing cloth, ribbing materials
andnylon satinRestricted
17 90.28 9028.30 Parts andcomponents ofelectric meter andparts and
components ofsingle phase electric meter inCKD SKD
condition.Restricted
TotalTrade reason Other thantrade reason
Banned Restricted Restricted/Banned
96 11 6 79WT/BOP/G/1
Page4
Annex II
Listofitems restricted orbanned forother thantrade reasons
Srl H.S. heading
numberH.S. Code
numberDescription ofitems Type ofrestriction
1. 01.03 AllH.S. Codes Liveswine Banned
2. 01.05 AllH.S. Codes Parent stock andgrand-parent stock Restricted
3. 02.03 AllH.S. Codes Allitems Restricted
4. 02.06 AllH.S. Codes Allitems Restricted
5. 02.09 0209.00 Allitems Banned
6. 04.02 AllH.S. Codes Milk food Restricted
7. 04.07 0407.00 Hatching eggs Restricted
8. 05.02 AllH.S. Codes Allitems Banned
9. 05.11 0511.10 Deep-frozen semen ofoxen Banned
10. 05.11 0511.10 Deep-frozen semen ofFrisian; Frisian Cross; Shahiwal;
Shahiwal Cross; A.F.S.; A.F.S. Cross-variety domestic
cowsRestricted
11. 07.01 0701.10 Potato seeds Restricted
12. 12.07 AllH.S. Codes Poppy seeds and"dried Postadana" ("Postadana" shallnot
alsobeimported asspices orinanyother way)Banned
13. 12.11 AllH.S. Codes Ghas (Andropogen SPP) andBhang (Channabis sativa) Banned
14. 13.02 AllH.S. Codes Opium Banned
15. 13.02 AllH.S. Codes Allitems except opium Restricted
16. 15.01 1501.00 Allitems including lard Banned
17. 15.03 1503.001;
1503.009Allitems including lardstearin, except "inedible tallow and
RBD palm stearin"Banned
18. 15.11 AllH.S. Codes Refined palm olein Restricted
19. 15.13 AllH.S. Codes Coconut oil Restricted
20. 16.01 1601.00 Sausages ofmeat ofswine Restricted
21. 19.01 AllH.S. Codes Baby food(with cream) Restricted
22. 22.03 to
22.06AllH.S. Codes Allitems Restricted
23. 22.07 AllH.S. Codes Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) analar grade (undenatured) Restricted
24. 22.07 AllH.S. Codes Allitems except "ethanol (ethyl alcohol) analar grade
(undenatured)Banned
25. 22.08 AllH.S. Codes Allitems Restricted
26. 23.07 2307.00 Allitems Banned
27. 25.03 AllH.S. Codes Sulphur Restricted
28. 25.23 AllH.S. Codes Cement Restricted
29. 27.01; 27.04 AllH.S. Codes Coal/hard coke Restricted
30. 27.05 Gasincylinder Restricted
31. 27.09 2709.00 Petroleum oilandallkinds ofoilobtained from bituminous
mineral crudeRestricted
32. 27.10 AllH.S. Codes Allpetroleum products except liquid paraffin Restricted
33. 27.11 AllH.S. Codes Petroleum gasandother gaseous hydrcarbons Banned
34. 27.13 AllH.S. Codes Allitems including petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen and
petroleum oilresiduesBanned
35 28.02 2802.00 Sulphur Restricted
Annex II(cont'd)WT/BOP/G/1
Page5
Srl H.S. heading
numberH.S. Code
numberDescription ofitems Type ofrestriction
36. 28.04 2804.70 Phosphorus Restricted
37. 28.29 2829.19 Potassium chlorate Restricted
38. 28.34 2834.21;
2834.299;
2834.299(a) Potassium nitrate
(b) Barium nitrate
(c) Thorium nitrateRestricted
39. 28.44 to
28.46AllH.S. Codes Allitems including radioactive chemicals element and
isotopesRestricted
40. 29.04 AllH.S. Codes Trinitrotoluin (TNT) Restricted
41. 29.30 2930.909 Allisothiocyonate (artificial mustard oil) Banned
42. 29.35 2935.00 Sulphonamides Restricted
43. 29.36 AllH.S. Codes Allitems Restricted
44. 29.37 to
29.39AllH.S. Codes Allitems Restricted
45. 29.41 AllH.S. Codes Antibiotics Restricted
46. 30.01 AllH.S. Codes Allitems Restricted
47. 30.02 AllH.S. Codes Allitems including "live vaccines" Restricted
48. 30.03; 30.04 AllH.S. Codes Allitems Restricted
49 31.02 to
31.04AllH.S. Codes Chemical fertilizer Restricted
50. 35.07 AllH.S. Codes Enzymes Restricted
51. 36.01 to
36.04AllH.S. Codes Allitems including explosives Restricted
52. 37.06 AllH.S. Codes Cinematograph filmexposed anddeveloped whether ornot
incorporating sound trackRestricted
53. 38.08 AllH.S. Codes Insecticides namely, Heptachlore 40WP, DDT; Bidrin
Brand inthegeneric name: Dichtrotopes; Methyle
Bromide; Synthetic pyrithroid;Banned
54. 38.08 AllH.S. Codes Allitems except items mentioned intheBanned List Restricted
55. 51.02 to
51.05 and
51.08; 51.09AllH.S. Codes Hairofswine andyarnmade thereof Banned
56. 56.08 AllH.S. Codes Fishing net(Gillnet withmeshes of4.5cm.orlessinwidth
orlength)Banned
57. 56.08 AllH.S. Codes Fishing net Restricted
58. 63.09 AllH.S. Codes Second-hand clothing Restricted
59. 72.07 AllH.S. Codes M.S. billets Restricted
60. 72.10 AllH.S. Codes C.I.sheet Restricted
61. 84.01 AllH.S. Codes Nuclear reactors anditsparts Restricted
62. 84.02; 84.04 AllH.S. Codes Boiler Restricted
63. 84.07; 84.08 AllH.S. Codes Second-hand engines andgearboxes Restricted
64. 84.23 AllH.S. Codes Weighing machines Restricted
65. 85.25 AllH.S. Codes Radio transmitters andtrans-receiver wireless equipment,
walkie-talkie andother radio broadcast receivers including
receivers incorporating sound recorders, orreproducersRestricted