Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has announced that, from September 1, 2025, member factories must declare the unit prices of imported raw materials and finished garments to obtain Utilisation Declaration (UD) certificates, a key customs document for duty-free imports and export clearance.
The move, aimed at ensuring greater transparency and accurate valuation, comes after concerns raised by global buyers and regulators like the National Board of Revenue (NBR) about unclear value addition in the sector.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said this is the first time the association will collect unit price data, which will help determine actual value retention in garments and guide members toward higher value-added production rather than volume-based exports.
Currently, 1,700–1,800 factories receive UD certificates each month. Industry insiders say rising reliance on imported yarn and fabric has reduced Bangladesh’s RMG value addition, which fell from 64.32% in FY19 (pre-pandemic) to 59.01% in FY25, despite $39.34 billion in apparel exports that year.
Analysts warn that the gas crisis, reduced cash incentives for local raw material use, and growing import dependence continue to erode competitiveness, particularly in woven garment production. By mandating unit price declaration, BGMEA hopes to strengthen data-driven strategies for sustaining competitiveness in the global market.
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