In practice
Where the ERC comes from
The CCI&E is the government office under the Ministry of Commerce that issues import, export and indenting registrations in Bangladesh1 2. It lists the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 2023 among the laws it works under3 4. Its 2026–27 citizen charter describes the export registration certificate as an online service. The business applies through the office's Online Licensing Module (OLM, olm.ccie.gov.bd), the certificate is issued online, and renewals go through the same system1.
The charter's document list for a new export registration shows what sits behind the certificate1:
an up-to-date trade license in the firm's name and at its address
an e-TIN or tax certificate
a certificate from the business's nominated bank
an up-to-date membership certificate from a recognized chamber or trade association
the applicant's national ID card
for a limited company, the certificate of incorporation and an up-to-date Form 12; for a partnership, the registered partnership deed
any license or permit a regulated business needs for its trade
proof that the income tax return was filed
the treasury challan for the registration fee and VAT
The office publishes its fee schedule separately and has revised it before5, so check the current fee on the CCI&E site rather than a figure quoted elsewhere.
Why a buyer asks to see it
Exports from Bangladesh are declared on an EXP form, and the exporter's bank is told to check CCI&E registration before certifying that form6. In other words, the registration is part of the paperwork that lets your goods leave the country. The registration also matters further up the chain. Under Bangladesh Bank's guidelines, a factory opening back-to-back LCs for its inputs needs a valid CCI&E registration7.
When a supplier sends you a copy, check that the company name and address match its trade license, its quotation and the proforma invoice, and ask whether the registration has been renewed. The CCI&E also publishes public notices when it cancels a registration. Its home page has listed notices canceling specific ERCs2.
The ERC and Exportain's Export Verified badge
On Exportain, a supplier can submit its ERC for review by Exportain staff. An approved ERC is what the Export Verified badge records: the badge means "Exportain has checked this seller's Export Registration Certificate (ERC)"8. This is a document review by Exportain's team. It is not a check against any government database, and it does not guarantee capacity, quality or delivery8. For a large order, ask the supplier for the current certificate yourself as well.
Related terms
BGMEA and BKMEA: Bangladesh's two garment industry associations. An ERC application needs a chamber or trade association membership certificate.
How supplier verification works on Exportain: all five trust badges explained.
LC (Letter of Credit): including the back-to-back LCs that also require CCI&E registration.
