Doing Business in Bangladesh

How to set up a Paper business in Bangladesh

Paper mills, packaging and printing.

We advise paper and board manufacturers, packaging producers and printing businesses on environmental clearance, factory approvals, raw-material import and supply contracts.

Sector Overview

Packaging demand drives growth

Growth in exports, e-commerce and consumer goods has increased demand for paper, board and packaging. Bangladesh has a mix of large mills and smaller paper and packaging units.

Paper manufacturing uses significant water and energy and is subject to environmental controls, including effluent treatment. Pulp and waste-paper imports also require proper registration.

Set-Up Roadmap

Key steps to get started

01

Company Formation

Incorporate with RJSC and obtain a trade licence, e-TIN and BIN.

02

Site & Utilities

Industrial land with water, gas and power access.

03

Environmental Clearance

DoE clearance and effluent-treatment plant.

04

Factory Licence

DIFE plan approval, factory licence and fire licence.

05

Raw Materials

IRC and import compliance for pulp and recovered paper.

06

Sales & Contracts

Supply agreements with packaging and printing customers.

Licences & Approvals

What you are likely to need

Requirements depend on the scale, location and structure of your business. Common approvals include:

  • RJSC incorporation & trade licence
  • e-TIN & VAT/BIN registration
  • Environmental Clearance Certificate (DoE)
  • DIFE factory licence
  • Fire licence
  • IRC (industrial) & ERC
  • Gas & electricity connections
  • BSTI certification (where applicable)
Legal Framework

Key laws & regulators

  • Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995
  • Environment Conservation Rules, 2023
  • Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006
  • Import and Export (Control) Act, 1950
  • Customs Act, 2023
  • Copyright Act, 2023 (printing & publishing)
  • Companies Act, 1994
  • Regulators: DoE, DIFE, NBR
How We Help

Your legal partner from day one

Plan

We advise on the right structure — company, branch, liaison office or joint venture.

Incorporate

We handle name clearance, RJSC incorporation and constitutional documents.

License

We obtain sector licences, registrations and regulatory approvals.

Comply

We support ongoing filings, contracts, employment and disputes.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does a paper mill need an effluent treatment plant?

Generally yes. Environmental clearance for paper mills usually requires effective effluent treatment.

Can I import waste paper?

Import of recovered paper is permitted subject to the Import Policy Order and environmental conditions.

Do printers need special permissions?

Printing presses have registration requirements, and publishers must respect copyright law. We advise case by case.

Consultation

Speak with our legal team

Tell us about your matter. A Premier Law Services lawyer will review it and advise you on the right next step — in person at our Dhaka chamber or online.

This guide is a general overview and not legal advice. Licensing requirements, fees and timelines in Bangladesh change from time to time and depend on the size, location and structure of each business — please speak with our lawyers before you proceed.
Consultation

Need legal advice? Speak with our team.