Regulatory Alerts2026-06-18
FEPD-1 Circular No. 13: Remittance of ship lease rental by shipping companies incorporated in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Bank's Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1 authorizes Authorized Dealers to process remittances for ship lease rentals by Bangladeshi shipping companies, extending similar provisions previously granted to airlines. This directive supports the development of the national shipping sector by allowing such payments subject to compliance with existing foreign exchange circulars. Authorized Dealers must verify that applicants hold operational approval for leased vessels and maintain regular submission of returns and repatriation of surplus earnings to the central bank.
Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1 Bangladesh Bank Head Office Dhaka www.bb.org.bd FEPD-1 Circular No. 13 Date: June 18, 2026 All Authorized Dealer in Foreign exchange in Bangladesh Remittance of ship lease rental by shipping companies incorporated in Bangladesh Dear Sirs, Please refer to paragraph 53 of FE Circular No, 37, dated September 30, 2025 in terms of which Authorized Dealers (ADs) are allowed to effect remittances on account of lease rentals by the airlines incorporated in Bangladesh up to the guaranteed hours. 02. With a view to supporting the development of the shipping sector in Bangladesh, it has been decided that ADs may also effect remittances on account of lease rentals by shipping companies incorporated in Bangladesh, mutatis mutandis, subject to compliance with the relevant provisions of the aforesaid circular. 03. In addition to the prevailing instructions, ADs shall ensure the following: (a) The applicant company has obtained permission/approval from the competent authority for operation of the leased ships/vessels; (b) The applicant company is regular in submission of returns to Bangladesh Bank and repatriation of surplus earnings in accordance with paragraph 08 of FE Circular No. 08 dated May 07, 2026 and subsequent circulars issued in this regard. 04. All other relevant instructions contained in paragraph 53 of FE Circular No. 37 dated September 30, 2025 shall remain unchanged. You are advised to bring the contents of this circular to the notice of relevant constituents.
Yours faithfully, (Md. Harun-Ar-Rashid) Director (FEPD-1) Phone: 9530123