Dhaka airport customs and baggage rules changed significantly under two government orders in 2025. Under S.R.O. No. 261 (June 2025) and S.R.O. No. 312 (July 2025), adult passengers aged 12 and above can now clear up to 65 kg of baggage duty-free. You can bring one new mobile phone tax-free per year, two used phones, gold jewelry up to 100 grams, silver jewelry up to 200 grams, and one laptop without duty. You must declare gold above 100 grams, cash above USD 5,000, and any dutiable goods at the Red Channel. This guide covers all current rules for arriving and departing passengers at HSIA in plain language, including prohibited items, hand luggage limits, airline allowances, and what to do if you get it wrong.
Bangladesh Customs Rules at Dhaka Airport: What You Must Know Before You Fly
Bangladesh customs rules at Dhaka airport are governed by the Non-Tourist Passenger Baggage Rules 2025, updated via two SROs issued by the National Board of Revenue in June and July 2025. These rules define what you can bring in duty-free, what requires a declaration, and what is completely banned.The rules apply to all passengers arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, including Bangladeshi citizens, Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), tourists, and returning workers. The NBR updated these rules in mid-2025 to better reflect the realities of modern travel and provide more generous allowances for returning expatriates.
What Is the Legal Duty-Free Allowance for Arriving Passengers?
An adult passenger aged 12 or above can bring up to 65 kg of personal baggage duty-free. Children under 12 can bring up to 40 kg duty-free. Within this weight limit, specific categories of goods have their own allowances set by the NBR.
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- Source: HSIA Customs Page (SRO No. 261-Act/2025/71/Customs)
- Source: NBR SRO No. 312 July 2025 Amendment (BSS)
Items You Must Declare at HSIA Customs Counter
You must declare any goods exceeding the duty-free limits, cash above USD 5,000, gold above 100 grams, dutiable electronics, and any goods intended for commercial resale. Failure to declare is treated as an attempt to smuggle, regardless of intent.A customs declaration form is distributed on the aircraft before landing. If you did not receive one on the plane, forms are available at the customs area desks. If you leave the customs hall without declaring dutiable goods by mistake, you have seven days to submit a declaration at the customs house adjacent to the airport and pay the applicable duty.
The emergency customs contact at HSIA is Mike-14: +880 1318477941. For questions before travel, the HSIA 24-hour call center is available at 09614-013600.
What Happens If You Don't Declare? Penalties Explained
Undeclared goods above the duty-free limit can be seized on the spot by customs officers. In serious cases, legal proceedings under the Customs Act can follow. Intentional non-declaration of gold, currency, or commercial goods is treated as smuggling under Bangladesh law.If a customs officer finds undeclared gold, the entire amount above the permitted limit is subject to seizure. Undeclared mobile phones are also subject to confiscation. Passengers who claim the omission was unintentional can apply to the Airport Magistrate's Office near Heavy Luggage Gate 1 for review, but this does not guarantee the return of seized items.
Baggage Allowance by Airline: How Much Can You Carry?
Baggage allowance at Dhaka airport varies by airline, route, and travel class. The allowances below reflect the current published policies of the major airlines serving HSIA. Always verify the allowance for your specific ticket.Airline baggage policies are separate from customs rules. You can clear 65 kg duty-free through customs, but your airline may only allow 20 to 30 kg in checked baggage. Excess weight above the airline limit costs extra, regardless of what customs permits.
Checked Baggage Limits for Major Airlines Flying into DAC
Biman Bangladesh Airlines allows 20 kg in economy class and 30 kg in business class for standard international routes. This differs by destination, so check your e-ticket for the exact allowance on your route.
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Carry-On and Hand Luggage Size and Weight Rules
For most airlines at HSIA, carry-on baggage must not exceed 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm in dimensions and must weigh no more than 7 kg for economy class. Business class passengers on Biman may carry up to 10 kg. These are standard limits, but always check with your specific airline.Hand luggage at HSIA is screened at the security checkpoint on the second floor before immigration.
Passengers must place laptops, tablets, and all electronic items separately in the tray. You are also allowed one personal item, such as a handbag or laptop bag, in addition to the carry-on, subject to airline policy.
Jewelry, mobile phones, cash, and other valuables must always be in your hand luggage. Airlines explicitly state they do not accept liability for valuables lost from checked baggage.
Excess Baggage Fees: What Airlines Charge at Dhaka Airport
Excess baggage charges at Dhaka airport are calculated per kilogram above your free allowance. Rates vary significantly by airline and route. Paying online before your flight is almost always cheaper than paying at the HSIA check-in counter.Biman Bangladesh Airlines charges excess baggage based on the destination zone. European and North American routes carry higher per-kilogram rates than Middle East or Southeast Asia routes. For exact rates by route, use the excess baggage calculator at biman-airlines.com. Paying online up to 24 hours before departure can save 20 to 40 percent compared to airport rates.
Prohibited and Restricted Items at Dhaka Airport
Prohibited items at HSIA fall into three categories: completely banned from all baggage; allowed only in checked baggage; and restricted items that require special permission or prior declaration. Carrying a prohibited item to the security screening point is a criminal offense under the Bangladesh aviation law.
Items Completely Banned from Flights (No Exceptions)
Explosives, live ammunition with explosive projectiles, flammable gases, radioactive materials, and illegal drugs are banned from all baggage at HSIA. These cannot be carried in any form under any circumstances.
- Explosives and fireworks: including dynamite, flares, and pyrotechnic materials in any quantity.
- Illegal drugs and narcotics: zero tolerance; seizure and arrest follow immediately upon detection.
- Weapons in the cabin: firearms, knives, and ammunition are not permitted in cabin baggage without the Government of Bangladesh's authorization.
- Electroshock weapons: tasers and similar devices are banned from all baggage categories.
- Radioactive materials: including certain medical isotopes; requires special cargo handling authorization.
- Maps showing incorrect Bangladesh territory boundaries: specifically, maps that omit or alter Bangladesh's published territorial borders.
Source: HSIA Aviation Security (AVSEC) regulations
Items Allowed in Hold Baggage But Not Cabin Baggage
Power banks and lithium batteries are banned from checked hold baggage and must always be carried in the cabin. Conversely, items such as scissors over 6 cm, tools with blades, and certain sporting equipment must go in hold baggage and cannot be carried in the cabin.
- Power banks and spare lithium batteries: must always be in hand luggage; banned from holding baggage entirely due to fire risk.
- Sharp objects over 6 cm (scissors, craft knives): must be packed in checked hold baggage.
- Spray cans above 500 ml or marked flammable: banned from hold baggage; small travel sizes in cabin are permitted under the 100 ml rule.
- Toy guns and imitation weapons: only permitted in checked hold baggage, securely packed.
Source: HSIA airline instructions for passenger baggage
Restricted Items That Need Special Permission
Medications in liquid form above 100 ml, firearms owned by authorized persons, live animals, and diplomatic pouches all require prior authorization, advance notification to the airline, or official documentation before they can be brought to HSIA.If you are carrying firearms as a licensed owner, you must declare them to AVSEC before entering the airport and to the airline before check-in. Officers will guide you through the correct procedure. Traveling with medications in larger quantities due to a medical condition requires a doctor's prescription and ideally a letter from your physician in English.
Liquid and Electronics Rules for Cabin Baggage
Liquids in cabin baggage at HSIA must be in containers of 100 ml or less, all placed together in a single transparent resealable bag with a capacity of no more than 1 liter. This rule applies to all international departures regardless of airline or destination.
The 100 ml Liquid Rule: How It Applies at HSIA
Each liquid container in your hand luggage must not exceed 100 ml. All containers must fit within one clear plastic bag measuring approximately 20 cm x 20 cm that you can fully seal. This bag must be removed from your carry-on at the HSIA security checkpoint and placed in a separate tray.Exceptions apply for essential medications and baby food. If you are carrying liquid medicine in excess of 100 ml, keep the prescription with you. Baby formula and breast milk for infants are allowed in reasonable quantities. Inform the security officer at HSIA before you place items in the tray.Perfume in a sealed, unused bottle purchased at the HSIA duty-free shop after security is exempt because it is placed in a security-tamper-evident bag at the point of sale.
Laptops and Power Banks: What the Rules Say
Laptops must be removed from your bag at the HSIA security checkpoint and placed in a separate tray for X-ray scanning. Power banks must always be in cabin baggage and must not be in checked hold baggage. Airlines may restrict high-capacity power banks above 100 Wh without special approval.You are allowed to bring one laptop or computer duty-free as an arriving passenger under the current NBR baggage rules. If you carry additional laptops intended for resale, customs may classify them as commercial goods and apply duties. Personal use items carried in reasonable quantities are exempt.
Coats, belts, watches, mobile phones, keys, and coins must all be placed in the security tray at HSIA. Shoes must also be removed in accordance with international aviation security standards.
Tips for Smooth Baggage Clearance at HSIA
The most common causes of delays at HSIA baggage and customs are undeclared items, overweight bags that were not prepaid for excess charges, and hand luggage that contains prohibited items discovered at the security checkpoint.
How to Pack Smart and Avoid Delays at Customs
Pack all valuables, electronics, and documents in your hand luggage. Keep your gold jewelry within the 100-gram limit and have receipts available if asked. Download the customs declaration form from the Bangladesh Customs website in advance if you plan to bring dutiable items.
- Weigh your checked bags before leaving home. Airport scales are accurate and overweight fees are non-negotiable.
- Keep all receipts for high-value items purchased abroad. Customs officers may ask for proof of value.
- Place gold jewelry in your carry-on so it can be declared at immigration rather than discovered in checked baggage.
- Do not pack power banks, spare batteries, or medications in checked baggage.
- If you are uncertain about what you can bring, the HSIA 24-hour call center at 09614-013600 can answer customs questions before you travel.
- If your journey includes customs guidance at the airport, a Meet and Assist service from GLAAS can accompany you through the customs channel and assist with any communication with officers.
What to Do If Your Baggage Is Lost or Damaged
If your bag does not appear on the baggage belt at HSIA, do not leave the customs hall. Go directly to your airline's Lost and Found counter before you exit. The HSIA Lost and Found section is located next to Arrival Belt 1. Contact number: +880 1777715535.File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with your airline at the airport before leaving. Keep your baggage claim stubs, boarding pass, and any receipts for items inside the bag. If your airline's desk is closed, visit the Airport Magistrate's Office near Heavy Luggage Gate 1 and submit a written complaint.Airlines are required by international convention to compensate for lost baggage within a defined liability limit.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dhaka Airport Baggage Rules
What is the baggage allowance for flights from Dhaka airport?
Biman's economy allows 20 kg of checked baggage. Adults can clear up to 65 kg duty-free through customs under current NBR rules.
What items are prohibited in carry-on luggage at HSIA?
Sharp objects, power banks in hold bags, liquids over 100 ml, firearms, and electroshock weapons are all prohibited in cabin baggage.
How much foreign currency can I bring into Bangladesh without declaring it?
You can bring up to USD 5,000 equivalent in foreign currency without a customs declaration. Amounts above must be declared.
Can I carry electronics like laptops and power banks in cabin baggage?
Yes. Laptops and power banks must be in cabin baggage. Power banks are banned from checked hold baggage under all circumstances.
What is the duty-free allowance for arriving passengers at Dhaka airport?
Adults can bring 65 kg duty-free, including 100 g of gold jewelry, one new phone per year, and one laptop, all without duty.
What happens if my baggage exceeds the weight limit at DAC?
You pay excess baggage charges at the check-in counter. Pre-paying online before your flight is significantly cheaper than airport rates.
Are there any special rules for carrying food items on flights from Dhaka?
General packaged food is allowed. Fresh fruits, raw meat, and soil-based items may be restricted by your destination country's import rules.
