GETTING HERE AND AWAY: Although Dhaka International Airport is far from being a major Asia crossroad, there are many international flight, Indeed, many travelers use Dhaka as the gateway to the Indian subcontinent to take advantage of cheap fare specially from Europe. Above all, Dhaka is well connected from many importance part of the world and easy reach of any visitor from anywhere of the world. There are many flight operated direct from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Rome, New York, Dubai, Delhi, Calcutta, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong etc. by British Airways, Biman-Bangladesh Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Gulf Airways, Saudia, etc. You may also enter Bangladesh overland from India via the Benapole border post, about two hours from Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta). There are direct Air-conditioned and regular coach services from Kolkata to Dhaka.
VISA AND DOCUMENTATION: Valid passport is required for nationals of all countries for visit to Bangladesh. However, passports are not required for the holders of identity certificate, laissez passers issued by United Nations and its affiliated bodies, continuous Discharge certificate/Nullies/Seaman Book (Traveling on duty to join or repatriate from ship) issued by any country recognized by Bangladesh. Foreign passport holders of Bangladesh origin do not require visa provided. Their passports are stamped " No Visa Required" by Bangladesh Missions abroad. Visas are required for nationals of all countries with the following exceptions: Bhutan, Barbados, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Congo, Cyprus, Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga, Sear Leone, Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Mauritius, Malawi, Maldives, Singapore, Swaziland, St. Kitts and Nevis, Ghana, and Gabon. No Visa required means that no visa is required for stay in Bangladesh up to 90 days only. No further extension of stay permission is desirable. Bangladesh diplomatic Missions abroad issue visas. Trade Commissions issue visa when there are no Bangladesh Embassies or Consulates.
Please contact with your nearest Bangladesh Embassy or Consulate for up dated Information.
BAGGAGE RULES: Non-tourist passenger (incoming) Baggage Rules amended up to 13th November 1994 are as follows:
1. Any item brought as baggage but not falling in the category of personal and household effects is subject to the payment of custom duty, value added tax and supplementary duty.
2. Any passenger arriving by air or sea carrying with him handbag, cabin bag, or two suitcases up to 32 inches in length or two cartoons, bags or sacks weighing not exceeding 65 kg Irrespective of size containing personal and household effects shall be exempted from custom, value added and supplementary taxes personal and household effects brought in suit cases in excess of the allotted two suit cases are subject to the payment of custom duty, value added and supplementary duty. However, books, magazines and educational items if brought in a third suitcase can also be cleared duty free.
3. Any item brought as baggage in commercial quantity is subject to payment of custom duty, value added tax and supplementary duty.
4. Bangladeshi citizens are not permitted to import alcohol or alcoholic beverage and cigarette as baggage. But only foreign national can import one bottle or up to 1/6 gallon of spirituous beverages that is spirits, wines, beer and 200 sticks of cigarettes without custom duty.
5. A microcomputer can be imported on returnable basis by a Bangladeshi citizen residing abroad provided he submits a personal undertaking that the microcomputer will be re-exported within three months.
6. A passenger may import as baggage some articles on payment of fixed amount as Custom duty; value added tax and supplementary duty.
CURRENCY REGULATIONS:A tourist may bring in any amount of foreign exchange in the form of Traveler's cheque, foreign currency notes or other foreign currency instruments provided he makes a written declaration at the time of entry into the country in the currency Declaration Form (Form FMJ) obtainable from the customs at the port of entry. However no declaration is required for import of foreign exchange up to US $ 150 Dollars by foreign tourists. While leaving Bangladesh a tourist can take out the unspent balance of the foreign currency brought in.
AIRPORT FACILITIES: For quick immigration check of the tourists at the Dhaka airport, a separate Tourists Reporting Center exists at the immigration area. Clearance of tourists at the Health, immigration and Customs counter is also done expeditiously. Currency conversion facilities exist in Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank and Pubali Bank branches located at the ground floor lounge of the airport. Export of Souvenirs:e A tourist is allowed to take out local handicrafts and souvenirs for non-commercial purpose up to a value of Taka 3000.00 free of tax. Certain items such as antiques or articles of historic value are however prohibited for export.
HEALTH: It is recommended that you take all commonsense precautions before, during and after your visit. A yellow fever certificate is required of all persons (including infants) arriving by air or sea within six days of departure from an infected area, or a country with infection in any part, or a country where the WHO judges yellow fever to be endemic or present; or has been in such an area in transit; or has come by an aircraft which has come from such an area and has not been properly disinfected. Those arriving without a required certificate will be detained in quarantine for six days. Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Bangladesh. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. Malaria risks exist throughout the year in the whole country. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.
WEARING APPAREL: As you may have found out by now Bangladesh is a subtropical country with a short winter. You need to wear light clothes at most times while in winter a sweater or something warm might be reasonable. Bangladesh is primarily a Muslim and conservative country and so there are certain things one should not wear.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Any body can visit Bangladesh anytime round the year. For a comfortable tour its suggest in dry and cool season from October to May, avoiding the monsoon. But if anybody interests to feel the rain and river monsoon is the best.
TOURISM INFRASTUCTURE: This is agreeable that Bangladesh is not a tourist haunt place in the world's tourist map. So, the tourist facilities may occur insufficient and lack of some basic services. But don't be frustrated, take it as a interesting and experience as a part of the reality. A flexible, positive attitude and open mind will help you in enjoyable, memorable and experience trip in Bangladesh. As your guide we always give emphasis to make your tour as pleasant and make enchanting hiding all lacks.
