How to Ship from the US to Bangladesh: Complete 2026 Guide

Bangladesh has a massive diaspora population in the United States — over a million Bangladeshi Americans who regularly send gifts, clothing, electronics, and household goods back home. Beyond personal shipments, Bangladesh's 170 million consumers represent a growing market for American products, particularly electronics, supplements, and branded goods. Shipping there isn't as straightforward as sending a package to the UK, but it's entirely manageable once you understand the carrier options and customs process.

Which Carrier to Use

Your carrier choice depends on three things: how heavy the package is, how fast it needs to get there, and how much you're willing to spend. The distance from the US to Bangladesh is roughly 8,500 miles, and all shipments pass through either Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian transit hubs, which means transit times are inherently longer than shipping to Europe or East Asia.

For lightweight packages under four pounds, USPS First-Class Package International Service is the cheapest option at around $15 to $25, though transit takes 14 to 28 days. That wide range reflects the reality of shipping to Bangladesh — packages often spend several days in local customs clearance, and the Bangladesh Postal Service handles last-mile delivery at a pace that varies by region. Tracking goes dark once the package leaves USPS's international partner network, so set customer expectations accordingly.

USPS Priority Mail International brings transit down to 10 to 14 days for about $45 to $70 depending on weight, and includes tracking and insurance. For packages up to 20 pounds, this is usually the best value. The flat-rate boxes work internationally and can save significant money on heavy, compact items.

For faster delivery, DHL Express Worldwide is the strongest option for Bangladesh specifically. DHL has an established presence in Dhaka and Chittagong, and their 3-to-5-day express service includes customs brokerage — meaning DHL handles the clearance process, which removes a major source of delays. Rates start around $80 for a one-pound package but the reliability and end-to-end tracking justify the premium for time-sensitive shipments.

UPS and FedEx both serve Bangladesh with 3-to-7-day transit times. UPS Worldwide Expedited runs about $85 to $120 for lighter packages, while FedEx International Priority is similar in pricing. Both handle customs brokerage for express shipments. For packages over 20 pounds, UPS tends to offer the most competitive rates, especially with a business account discount.

Customs and Duties

Bangladesh Customs operates under the National Board of Revenue, and their processes are more involved than what you'd encounter shipping to developed markets. Documentation matters here — incomplete or vague customs declarations are the number one cause of delays.

The de minimis threshold is relatively low. Personal gifts valued under 500 BDT (about $4.50 USD) are exempt from duty, but that threshold is so low it's practically irrelevant for most shipments. Expect your recipient to pay import duty on virtually everything. Duty rates vary by product category: electronics typically face 10 to 25 percent duty, clothing runs 25 to 45 percent, and general consumer goods fall in the 15 to 30 percent range. On top of duty, Bangladesh applies a 15 percent VAT, a 5 percent supplementary duty on some items, and a 5 percent advance income tax on imports.

Those charges add up fast. A $100 shipment of electronics could face $40 to $60 in combined duty, VAT, and other taxes. Make sure your recipient knows these costs are coming — refused deliveries due to unexpected customs charges are common on Bangladesh-bound shipments, and return shipping from Dhaka costs more than the original outbound shipment in most cases.

Your commercial invoice needs to include: detailed product descriptions in English, the HS code for each item, individual item values and a total declared value in USD, the sender and recipient names and full addresses, and the recipient's phone number. The phone number is critical — Bangladesh Customs and local delivery partners use phone contact extensively for customs clearance coordination and delivery scheduling.

What You Can and Cannot Ship

Bangladesh prohibits imports of several categories including alcohol, pork products, and obscene materials. Pharmaceuticals require import permits from the Directorate General of Drug Administration. Used clothing is allowed for personal use but restricted for commercial imports. Electronics containing lithium batteries face extra scrutiny but are generally allowed with proper labeling.

Religious materials, books, and educational items generally clear customs without issues. Clothing, cosmetics, and consumer electronics are the most commonly shipped categories and the process for these is well established.

Practical Shipping Tips

Label your packages clearly with both the English and Bengali address if possible. Many delivery workers in Bangladesh outside Dhaka and Chittagong are more comfortable with Bengali script. At minimum, include a phone number — the delivery person will almost always call the recipient before attempting delivery.

Ship early in the week. Packages arriving in Bangladesh on Thursday or Friday may not clear customs until Sunday (Bangladesh's work week runs Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend). Getting your package into the customs pipeline early in the week maximizes the chance of same-week delivery.

atoship helps you compare rates across USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL for Bangladesh-bound shipments, generates the required customs documentation, and ensures every package has the correct declared values and HS codes to clear Bangladesh customs as smoothly as possible.