Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh date in Bangladesh is primarily an import-supplied market, with trade commonly captured under HS 080410 (dates, fresh or dried). Imports are regulated as a plant product: an import permit is required and a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country’s NPPO is examined by Bangladesh’s Plant Quarantine Wing under the Plant Quarantine Act, 2011. Bangladesh Customs’ clearance workflow for plant products includes Plant Quarantine Wing examination and issuance of a release order alongside standard customs processes. Demand is strongly seasonal in practice, with reported pre-Ramadan import surges for dates in Bangladesh.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleDomestic consumer market where supply is largely met through imports
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityReported import activity for dates rises ahead of Ramadan; timing shifts each year with the lunar calendar.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Consignments are expected to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds, and extraneous material; fruit should be free of leaves as a common phytosanitary cleanliness expectation for fresh fruit consignments to Bangladesh
Packaging- Tariff line distinctions include consumer packs described as “wrapped/canned up to 2.5kg” (e.g., HS 08041011 for fresh dates) versus other fresh-date presentations (e.g., HS 08041019 “fresh, nes”), so pack size/presentation affects classification and duty calculation
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin pack/dispatch → international transport → arrival port/airport → Bill of Entry submission in customs system → Plant Quarantine Wing examination and release order (as applicable) → duty/tax assessment and payment → importer distribution to wholesale/retail
Shelf Life- Fresh dates are time-sensitive compared with dried dates; port congestion or clearance delays can reduce marketability and contribute to short-term supply gaps and price volatility
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighBangladesh’s Plant Quarantine Act, 2011 prohibits importing plant and plant products without an import permit, and requires submission of the import permit and the exporting NPPO’s phytosanitary certificate for examination at entry; missing or non-conforming documents can block or delay clearance.Secure the Plant Quarantine Wing import permit before shipment, ensure the exporting NPPO issues a phytosanitary certificate aligned to permit conditions, and run a pre-shipment document match-check (permit number, consignment details) before dispatch.
Logistics MediumPort congestion or labor disruptions at major entry points (e.g., Chattogram/Chittagong) can delay unloading and customs/quarantine processing; for fresh dates, delays can reduce marketability and contribute to short-term supply gaps and price volatility.Use time buffers around peak season, align arrival windows to importer clearance capacity, and plan contingency routing or alternative discharge/warehousing where feasible.
Market MediumBangladesh demand for dates is highly seasonal around Ramadan, with reported surges in pre-Ramadan import activity; this can tighten logistics capacity and amplify short-term price volatility for dates.Pre-book freight and cold storage ahead of Ramadan-linked demand spikes and stage inventory earlier where product form and shelf-life allow.
Tariff And Tax MediumImport tax incidence for dates depends on HS classification (e.g., fresh consumer packs vs other fresh-date lines) and the operative tariff schedule/duty calculator; changes or temporary adjustments can affect landed cost and pricing.Confirm the exact HS code and pull a current duty calculator/operative tariff snapshot immediately before shipment; reflect potential changes in pricing clauses with the buyer/importer.
FAQ
Which documents are commonly required to import fresh dates into Bangladesh?At minimum, Bangladesh’s plant quarantine regime requires an import permit issued by the Department of Agricultural Extension’s Plant Quarantine Wing and a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s national plant protection organization. Bangladesh Customs’ plant/plant-product clearance process also involves submitting the Bill of Entry and presenting these quarantine documents during clearance.
Who issues the import permit for plant products like fresh dates in Bangladesh?Bangladesh Customs’ published clearance guidance states that the Plant Quarantine Wing (PQW) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) issues the import permit before import and may issue a release order after examining the goods during the customs clearance process for plants and plant products.
Which countries are major suppliers of dates to Bangladesh in trade data?UN Comtrade-derived WITS data for HS 080410 (dates, fresh or dried) in 2023 lists the United Arab Emirates as the largest reported exporter to Bangladesh by value and quantity, followed by Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan among other suppliers.
How can an importer estimate duties and taxes for dates in Bangladesh?Bangladesh Customs provides an operative tariff schedule by HS code and a duty calculator that reports a total tax incidence (TTI) for a given HS code (for example, HS 08041019). Importers typically confirm the correct HS line (e.g., fresh consumer packs vs other fresh-date lines) and then use the operative tariff/duty calculator immediately prior to shipment because applied rates can change.