Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable packaged (small pieces sold in jars/boxes)
Industry PositionSugar confectionery — bubble/chewing gum
Market
Bubble/chewing gum in Bangladesh is a packaged sugar-confectionery category with clear evidence of local manufacturing and domestic brands. PRAN Foods lists PRAN Bubble Gum (fruit flavour, jar-pack format) and PRAN Dairy Ltd lists Atom Gum (multiple fruit flavours; jar/box packs) as Bangladesh-origin products. Perfetti Van Melle has operated chewing-gum manufacturing in Bangladesh since July 2005, with a plant located at Rajendrapur in Gazipur. On the import side, Bangladesh Customs’ duty calculator shows a very high total tax incidence (TTI) for chewing gum HS 17041010/17041090, while BFSA labeling rules require nutrition and other label elements for packaged foods (including imported products).
Market RoleDomestic consumer market with significant local manufacturing; imports are heavily taxed
Domestic RoleMass-market confectionery item sold in very small unit sizes and bulk jar packs; fruit flavours are prominent in domestically marketed products.
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Risks
Tariff And Tax Policy HighImported chewing/bubble gum economics can be severely disrupted because Bangladesh Customs’ duty calculator shows a very high Total Tax Incidence (TTI) for chewing gum HS 17041010/17041090 (132.36%), making landed cost highly sensitive to fiscal measures and enforcement.Run landed-cost scenarios using the Bangladesh Customs duty calculator and verify the exact HS line used (retail vs non-retail); consider local manufacturing/contract packing where commercially viable.
Regulatory Compliance MediumLabel non-compliance can trigger clearance delays, relabeling requirements, or enforcement risk: USDA’s FAIRS report summarizes BFSA’s Packaged Food Labeling Regulations, 2017 as requiring nutrition labeling and other mandatory label elements, and stating that imported products should add a Bengali label/sub-label for local sale.Prepare compliant labels (including nutrition panel, batch/lot coding, country of origin, and producer/importer contact details) and keep documentation aligned with the final on-pack label.
Border Clearance Testing MediumProcessed-food imports may face conditional clearance steps (BSTI clearance for listed items; testing at BCSIR/BRiCM or accredited/government-approved labs; BAEC radioactivity testing for non-SAARC foodstuffs) as described by Bangladesh Customs, creating timeline uncertainty.Confirm whether the product falls under BSTI Annexure/mandatory items before shipment and build time buffers for sampling/testing and any relabeling.
Documentation Gap MediumIncomplete import documentation can delay release: Bangladesh Customs lists core documents for import clearance (e.g., L/C, invoice, transport document, packing list, certificate of origin, insurance, VAT/BIN).Use an importer/C&F agent checklist aligned to Bangladesh Customs’ stated document set and ensure consistent product descriptions/HS codes across all documents.
Private Standards LowBuyer requirements for third-party food-safety certification may be inconsistent: Perfetti Van Melle’s published certification table states “PVM Bangladesh — No certification implemented to date,” while separate public reporting indicates BRC recognition within PRAN Group companies including PRAN Dairy Ltd; this creates due-diligence ambiguity without site- and SKU-specific verification.Request site certificates and scope statements (facility + product category scope) and confirm applicability to the specific gum product and manufacturing line.
Sustainability- Packaging and waste governance uncertainty: USDA’s FAIRS report notes no specific waste disposal law or product recycling regulations for packaging were found in its review (verify any updates since the report).
Standards- BRC Food (some PRAN Group companies, including PRAN Dairy Ltd, are reported to have achieved BRC recognition via SGS Bangladesh in public reporting)
- HACCP / ISO 22000-type systems (commonly referenced by multinational confectionery manufacturers; certification status should be confirmed for each Bangladesh site and product line)
FAQ
What HS codes and tax burden should be checked when importing bubble/chewing gum into Bangladesh?Chewing gum is commonly referenced under HS 170410 (e.g., HS 17041010 and HS 17041090 in Bangladesh Customs tools). Bangladesh Customs’ duty calculator shows a Total Tax Incidence (TTI) of 132.36% for both HS 17041010 and HS 17041090, so confirming the exact HS line used (including retail vs non-retail distinctions) is critical for landed-cost planning.
What are the key labeling requirements to sell imported bubble/chewing gum in Bangladesh?USDA’s FAIRS report summarizing BFSA’s Packaged Food Labeling Regulations, 2017 indicates that nutritional labeling is mandatory and that imported products sold locally should add a Bengali label or sub-label. The report also lists other required label elements such as batch/lot code, net weight, dates, country of origin, and producer/importer contact information.
Is bubble/chewing gum manufactured locally in Bangladesh?Yes. PRAN lists Bangladesh-origin gum products such as PRAN Bubble Gum and Atom Gum on its product pages. Separately, The Daily Star reported that Perfetti Van Melle launched manufacturing operations in Bangladesh in July 2005 and that its plant is located at Rajendrapur in Gazipur.