ERC Certificate in Bangladesh: Export Registration Certificate Documents, Renewal, Verification and ERC Number Explained

An Export Registration Certificate, usually shortened to ERC, is the mandatory export licence that allows a business in Bangladesh to export goods legally. It is issued by the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E) under the Ministry of Commerce. Without a valid Export Registration Certificate, a company's bank cannot properly process its export documentation, customs will not clear its shipments as a registered exporter, and overseas buyers have no official registration to verify. This guide covers the ERC required documents checklist, how to check an ERC certificate online, the ERC number format, and the ERC renewal fee and process.

Direct answer: The ERC is Bangladesh's export licence, issued by CCI&E through its Online Licensing Module (OLM) at olm.ccie.gov.bd. You apply with a valid trade licence, e-TIN, chamber membership, bank solvency certificate and company documents, pay the government fee, and receive a certificate with a unique ERC number. Renewal — currently available for one to five years at a time — should be filed at least 60 days before expiry.

What is an ERC certificate?

The ERC places an exporter on the official register maintained by CCI&E under the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order — the current framework is the 2023 Order, which replaced the earlier 1981 Order. Registration connects the rest of the export system together: your authorised dealer (AD) bank uses it when issuing the EXP form for each shipment, customs can identify you as a registered exporter when the bill of export is filed, and buyers and banks can check that they are dealing with a real, currently registered exporter.

Under the OLM system the approved certificate is issued digitally through the applicant's OLM dashboard, from where it can be downloaded and printed. The certificate records the firm's name and address, its e-TIN, the issuing CCI&E office, the nominated bank and branch, the first issue date, the validity date and the ERC number itself.

An ERC does not, on its own, authorise every product. Prohibited goods under the Export Policy Order cannot be exported at all, and controlled goods need their sector clearances — for example health or phytosanitary certificates for food and agricultural products.

Who needs an ERC in Bangladesh?

Any individual, proprietorship, partnership or limited company exporting goods from Bangladesh commercially needs its own ERC. That includes manufacturers exporting their own production (garments, jute, leather, processed food, handicrafts), merchant exporters and trading companies, and indentors — who register under a separate ERC category for indenting services with its own fee level, so do not confuse the two categories when you apply or renew.

If the same business also imports, it needs an Import Registration Certificate (IRC) as well — a separate registration issued by CCI&E through the same OLM system. Foreign buyers do not need an ERC: it belongs to your Bangladeshi supplier, and checking it is one of the simplest due-diligence steps before placing an order.

ERC vs IRC: what is the difference?

Full form: ERC — Export Registration Certificate; IRC — Import Registration Certificate.

Who it is for: ERC — Businesses exporting goods from Bangladesh; IRC — Businesses importing goods into Bangladesh.

Issuing authority: ERC — CCI&E, Ministry of Commerce; IRC — CCI&E, Ministry of Commerce.

Application route: ERC — CCI&E Online Licensing Module (OLM); IRC — CCI&E Online Licensing Module (OLM).

Fee structure: ERC — Flat fee for exporters; a separate, higher category exists for indenting services; IRC — Tiered by annual import ceiling category.

Renewal: ERC — One to five years in a single transaction under the current OLM process; IRC — Annual / periodic renewal by category.

A company can hold both — many manufacturers use an IRC to bring in inputs and an ERC to ship finished goods out.

ERC required documents (checklist)

CCI&E checks the same core file for every applicant, with extra documents depending on the business type. Prepare everything before starting the OLM application — incomplete or mismatched documents are the most common cause of delay, and names, addresses and activities must match exactly across all records.

Core documents for every applicant

• Valid, updated trade licence for the business, covering the current financial year.

• e-TIN certificate (Taxpayer Identification Number) for the proprietor or company.

• VAT registration / BIN certificate, where applicable to the business.

• Membership certificate from a recognised chamber of commerce or trade association — for example a local chamber, FBCCI-affiliated body, or a sector association such as BGMEA or BKMEA for garment exporters.

• Bank solvency certificate and bank statement from the company's account with a scheduled bank, normally the nominated authorised dealer branch.

• National ID or passport of the proprietor, partners or directors, as applicable.

• Recent passport-size photographs of the applicant / managing director.

• Office rent deed or premises ownership document for the address shown on the trade licence.

• Treasury Challan or online payment confirmation for the government fee.

• Prior approval or sector clearance letter, where the product or business type requires one.

Additional documents by business type

Proprietorship: The core list above, in the proprietor's name.

Partnership firm: Registered partnership deed (certified copy).

Private limited company: Certificate of Incorporation from RJSC, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, and the company's director particulars.

Indenting / export-service business: The core list, filed under the indenting-services ERC category.

For paper submissions, CCI&E practice has traditionally required attested copies, with originals shown for verification and returned afterwards. For OLM submissions, upload clear scans and keep the originals ready — CCI&E may ask to see them, or may carry out a field inspection for some first-time applicants. The address on the trade licence should be where the business actually operates.

How to apply for an ERC, step by step

1. Get the basics in order first. Renew the trade licence, confirm e-TIN and BIN details are current, confirm the company bank account, and take or renew chamber membership. The application cannot succeed while any of these is expired.

2. Register on the OLM portal. Create an account on CCI&E's Online Licensing Module (olm.ccie.gov.bd) and select the ERC application for the correct category — regular exporter or indenting services.

3. Complete the form and upload documents. Enter firm name, address, e-TIN, membership details and nominated bank exactly as they appear on the supporting documents, and attach clear scans from the checklist above.

4. Pay the government fee. Pay through the route shown in OLM, or by Treasury Challan at Bangladesh Bank or Sonali Bank where offline payment is directed. Keep the challan or payment confirmation — it forms part of the application file.

5. Submit, respond, and download. Submit and track the application in OLM. If CCI&E raises a query, correct it promptly; some first-time applicants receive a field inspection. Once approved, download the certificate from the dashboard and check every detail — firm name, address, e-TIN, ERC number and validity date.

Published CCI&E service standards put processing at a few working days after a complete submission; allow longer where documents need correction or an inspection is triggered.

How to check ERC certificate online

People mean two different things by “ERC verification,” and they use different routes.

If you are the ERC holder checking your own certificate or application

1. Go to olm.ccie.gov.bd and log in with the account used for the application.

2. Open the application or certificate section of the dashboard — a pending application shows its status there: submitted, under scrutiny, query raised, or approved.

3. Once approved, open the issued certificate and confirm the ERC number, the firm's particulars and, most importantly, the “valid up to” date. Download this current copy and use it — not an old printout — whenever a bank or buyer asks for your ERC.

If you are a buyer or bank verifying someone else's ERC

There is no open public search where anyone can pull up a company's live ERC record, so third-party verification is a document-and-cross-check exercise:

1. Ask for the current ERC certificate copy and note the ERC number, issuing CCI&E office and validity date.

2. Check the dates first. An expired, unrenewed ERC is the most common verification failure — the certificate states its validity on its face.

3. Match the particulars. Firm name, address and e-TIN on the ERC should match the trade licence, proforma invoice and bank details. A mismatch in the legal name is a reason to pause.

4. Cross-check membership. Confirm the chamber or trade-association membership in the exporter's file is current.

5. Confirm through the banking channel. The supplier's authorised dealer bank works with the ERC registration when it processes the EXP form for each shipment, so a transaction moving normally through the AD bank is a practical sign the registration is in force.

6. Escalate doubts to CCI&E. If a document looks altered or details do not reconcile, contact the issuing CCI&E office shown on the certificate before paying any advance.

Use the ERC as one layer in a wider check: registration documents, product evidence, references and a small first order together are far more reliable than any single certificate.

ERC number format

The ERC number is the unique registration number CCI&E assigns to the exporter — quoted on the certificate and passbook, used in the OLM renewal flow, and referenced by the firm's bank. Current certificates carry a 15-digit numeric ERC number, in the pattern:

ERC No: 260327210021525 (illustrative example of the digit format — not a number to use)

Do not try to decode business information from segments of the number: CCI&E does not publish an official segment-by-segment breakdown, and older paper-era certificates were issued under earlier numbering practice, so presentation can differ on legacy documents. What matters for verification is the fields printed with the number:

ERC number: The unique registration reference — quote it exactly in renewals and correspondence.

Firm name and address: Must match the trade licence and invoices.

E-TIN: Links the registration to the firm's tax identity.

Previous ERC number (if any): Shows continuity where a firm was re-registered.

Nominated bank and branch: The AD branch handling the firm's export transactions.

First issue date: When the firm was first registered as an exporter.

Valid up to date: The date the current registration period ends — the key verification check.

Issuing CCI&E office: The office with jurisdiction, shown with the signing officer.

If two documents from the same supplier show different ERC numbers, treat that as a discrepancy to resolve with CCI&E before trading — legitimate explanations such as re-registration exist, but they should be documented, with the previous number recorded on the new certificate.

ERC renewal fee and process

An ERC is not a one-time licence — it must be renewed to stay in force, under the terms printed on the certificate itself. Two rules matter most:

• Apply at least 60 days before expiry. The certificate's own terms, under the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 2023, require the renewal application to be submitted 60 days before expiry, to avoid late fees.

• Renew for one to five years in one transaction. Under OLM you are no longer limited to a single year at a time — but the trade licence and chamber membership must still be kept current year by year.

Renewal fees — check the current CCI&E schedule before you pay

Fee schedules are revised by circular and published ERC figures have changed over time, so always confirm the exact amount in the OLM portal or the current CCI&E fee schedule before paying. The schedule most widely published for the current OLM era is:

New ERC — regular exporter: Base fee BDT 10,000; with 15% VAT BDT 11,500.

ERC renewal — regular exporter, per year: Base fee BDT 7,000; with 15% VAT BDT 8,050.

New ERC — indenting services: BDT 57,500 including VAT.

ERC renewal — indenting services, per year: BDT 28,750 including VAT.

Treat those figures as the published reference schedule, not a substitute for the live figure: if the amount shown in OLM differs, the OLM / CCI&E schedule prevails. Renewal after expiry can attract a late fee or penalty — a further reason to file inside the 60-day window. Keep the payment confirmation with the renewal file.

Documents required for renewal

• Current ERC certificate and passbook (original plus copies where a paper file is requested).

• Updated trade licence for the current year.

• Updated chamber or trade-association membership certificate.

• Bank solvency certificate or recent bank statement.

• e-TIN and VAT/BIN certificates, and the company or partnership documents where particulars have changed.

• Payment confirmation for the renewal fee for the number of years selected.

Renewal process, step by step

1. Log into the OLM portal and open the ERC renewal section.

2. Enter the ERC number and select the renewal period — one to five years.

3. Upload the updated documents listed above.

4. Pay the renewal fee shown in the portal, including VAT, for the selected period.

5. Submit and track the application in OLM; clean renewals are typically processed within a few working days.

6. Download the renewed certificate and check the new “valid up to” date. Send the updated copy to your bank and to buyers who hold your previous certificate on file.

What happens if the ERC expires?

Exporting on an expired ERC puts shipments, bank processing and the firm's standing at risk. Renewal after expiry is possible, subject to the late fee or penalty in the current schedule, and a serious breach of the Registration Order — including fraud or misdeclaration — can lead to suspension or cancellation. Put the renewal date in the company compliance calendar, well ahead of the 60-day deadline.

Common ERC mistakes to avoid

• Mismatched particulars between the trade licence, e-TIN record and application — correct the underlying record first.

• Expired supporting documents — filing with last year's trade licence or membership certificate is the most routine cause of a query.

• Wrong category — an indenting-service business filing as a regular exporter pays the wrong fee and registers in the wrong class.

• Missing the 60-day window — late renewal adds cost and creates a validity gap.

• Using an old certificate copy — circulate the renewed digital copy as soon as it is issued.

• Assuming the ERC covers restricted goods — check the Export Policy Order and sector clearances separately.

How Exportain helps

For Bangladeshi exporters, Exportain is where a valid ERC turns into orders: create your seller account, complete your company profile with your registration details, and list the products you can genuinely supply. For international buyers, always complete the ERC verification steps in this guide, confirm the validity date on the current certificate, and start with an order size that matches the trust you have built.

Ready to trade? Register as a seller or provider on Exportain, or post your buying requirement and let verified Bangladeshi exporters come to you.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ERC certificate in Bangladesh?

It is the Export Registration Certificate — the export licence issued by the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E) under the Ministry of Commerce. Every business exporting goods commercially from Bangladesh must hold a valid ERC.

What does ERC stand for?

ERC stands for Export Registration Certificate. Its import-side equivalent, also issued by CCI&E, is the IRC — Import Registration Certificate.

Which documents are required for an ERC?

The core file is a valid trade licence, e-TIN certificate, VAT/BIN registration where applicable, chamber or trade-association membership certificate, bank solvency certificate, NID or passport and photographs of the proprietor or directors, office rent deed, and fee payment confirmation — plus the partnership deed for partnerships, or the RJSC Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum and Articles of Association for limited companies.

How can I check an ERC certificate online?

The holder checks application status and downloads the issued certificate by logging into CCI&E's Online Licensing Module at olm.ccie.gov.bd. A buyer verifying a supplier should obtain the current certificate copy, check the ERC number and “valid up to” date, match the firm name, address and e-TIN against the trade licence and invoices, and raise any discrepancy with the issuing CCI&E office.

What is the ERC number format?

Current certificates carry a long numeric registration number — 15 digits in the current format — printed on the certificate with the firm's e-TIN, nominated bank, issuing office, first issue date and validity date. CCI&E does not publish an official breakdown of the number's segments, so quote it in full and exactly as printed.

How much is the ERC renewal fee?

The widely published current schedule is BDT 7,000 plus 15% VAT — BDT 8,050 in total — per year for a regular exporter, with a higher category for indenting services. Fee schedules are revised by circular, so confirm the exact amount in the OLM portal or the current CCI&E fee schedule before paying.

How often must an ERC be renewed, and for how long?

The ERC must be kept continuously in force. Under the current OLM process a renewal can cover any period from one to five years in a single transaction, and the application should be submitted at least 60 days before the current validity expires to avoid late fees.

Can I export from Bangladesh without an ERC?

No. Commercial exports require a valid ERC — without one, your bank cannot process the export properly, customs will not treat you as a registered exporter, and you would be operating outside the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order. Buyers should treat a missing or expired ERC as a stop signal.

How long does it take to get an ERC?

CCI&E's published service standard is a few working days after a complete submission, but timing varies where documents need correction, verification, or a field inspection is carried out. Preparing a complete, consistent document file is the main factor in a fast approval.

Facts in this guide reflect the CCI&E / OLM process and the Importers, Exporters and Indentors (Registration) Order, 2023. Government fees and procedures can be revised by circular — confirm current details on the CCI&E portal before applying or renewing.