India restricts entry of ready-made garments, processed food from Bangladesh

IANS May 17, 2025 261 views

India has implemented significant trade restrictions on Bangladesh by blocking ready-made garment and processed food imports through land ports. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification limiting imports to only seaports like Nhava Sheva and Kolkata. This move appears to be a retaliatory step following Bangladesh's earlier ban on yarn imports from India. The trade dynamics between the two countries remain complex, with bilateral trade volumes reaching approximately $16 billion in the last fiscal year.

"Import of all kinds of Ready-Made Garments from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port" - DGFT Notification
New Delhi, May 17: In a significant trade policy shift, India on Saturday restricted the import of ready-made garments (RMG), processed food and other items from Bangladesh to India via land ports, effective immediately.

Key Points

1

India blocks Bangladesh goods through land borders

2

Trade restrictions target garments and processed foods

3

Seaport imports remain permitted

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Retaliatory move after Bangladesh yarn import ban

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued a notification imposing land port restrictions on the import of certain goods such as Readymade garments, processed food items etc., from Bangladesh to India.

"However, such said port restriction will not apply to Bangladesh goods transiting through India but destined for Nepal and Bhutan," the DGFT said in its notification.

According to the directive, "Import of all kinds of Ready-Made Garments from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port, however, it is allowed only through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports".

Other bans are on the "Import of fruit/fruit flavoured and carbonated drinks; processed food items; Cotton and Cotton Yarn Waste; Plastic and PVC finished goods, except pigments, dyes, plasticisers and granules that form input for own industries; and Wooden Furniture.

These items "shall not be allowed through any Land Customs Stations (LCSs)/ Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram; and LCS Changrabandha and Fulbari, in West Bengal".

"The port restrictions do not apply to the import of Fish, LPG, edible oil, and crushed stone from Bangladesh," the notification further read.

The Indian move came after the Bangladesh government in April banned import of yarns from India to the country via land ports through a notification from the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Earlier, India terminated the trans-shipment facility for Bangladesh, which allowed the latter to export its products to other countries through Indian seaports and airports.

India is Bangladesh's second-largest trading partner after China. In the fiscal 2022-23, Bangladesh-India trade amounted to around $16 billion.

Bangladesh imported goods worth about $14 billion, while its exports to India stood at $2 billion, as per industry data.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is a necessary step to protect our domestic textile industry. Bangladesh was flooding our markets with cheap garments, hurting our local manufacturers. Atmanirbhar Bharat needs such policies! 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
While I understand the economic reasons, I hope this doesn't affect our friendly relations with Bangladesh. Many families have ties across the border. Trade restrictions should be balanced with diplomacy.
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Amit S.
Good move but implementation is key! Smuggling through these borders is already a big problem. Customs need to be extra vigilant now. Maybe deploy more technology at check posts?
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Sunita R.
As someone from Assam, I welcome this decision. Our local weavers and small food processors were struggling to compete with cheaper Bangladeshi goods. Hope this gives them some breathing space.
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Vikram J.
Interesting that Bangladesh banned Indian yarn imports first. Seems like both countries are playing tit-for-tat. Not good for regional trade. SAARC needs to step in and mediate.
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Neha P.
The timing is suspicious - just before elections in Bangladesh. Hope this isn't political. Trade policies should be about economics, not influencing neighbors' domestic affairs.
K
Karan D.
$14 billion imports vs $2 billion exports - the trade deficit was unsustainable. But instead of blanket bans, we should focus on improving quality of Indian products to compete globally.

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Tags:
India-Bangladesh Trade Import Restrictions Ready-Made Garments Trade Policy DGFT Border Commerce