Bangladesh imported US$63.7 billion worth of products from around the world in 2024.

That calculated dollar metric results from a 25.5% upturn from $50.7 billion five years earlier in 2020.

Year over year, the total cost for Bangladeshi imported goods shrank -10% compared to $70.6 billion for 2023.

Based on the average exchange rate for 2024, the Bangladeshi taka depreciated by -6.2% against the US dollar from 2023 to 2024. The weaker local currency in Bangladesh makes its imports paid for in stronger US dollars relatively more expensive when converted starting from the Bangladeshi taka.

Given Bangladesh’s population of 172 million people, its total $63.7 billion in 2024 imports translates to roughly $370 in yearly product demand from every person in the densely populated South Asian country. That dollar metric falls below the average $380 per capita for 2023.

Bangladesh’s Top 10 Imports

The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Bangladesh’s import purchases during 2024. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Bangladesh.

1. Mineral fuels including oil: US$9.2 billion (14.5% of total imports)
2. Cotton: $7.7 billion (12.2%)
3. Machinery including computers: $4.4 billion (6.9%)
4. Electrical machinery, equipment: $3.6 billion (5.7%)
5. Iron, steel: $3.2 billion (5%)
6. Plastics, plastic articles: $2.6 billion (4.1%)
7. Knit or crochet fabric: $2.3 billion (3.6%)
8. Manmade staple fibers: $2.2 billion (3.5%)
9. Animal/vegetable fats, oils, waxes: $2 billion (3.2%)
10. Manmade filaments: $1.9 billion (3%)

Bangladesh’s top 10 imports approached two-thirds (61.5%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.

The strongest increases were for knitted or crocheted fabric (up 27.1% from 2023), manmade staple fibers (up 15%) then cotton (up 8.8%) and manmade filaments (up 8.7%).

The severest declines among Bangladesh’s leading imports were for mineral fuels including oil (down -32.1% from 2023), machinery including computers (down -16.3%) then the metals iron and steel (down -11.2%).

Please note that the product category results listed above are at the 2-digit Harmonized Tariff System code level. Information presented below at the more granular 4-digit HTS level.

Delving into the more detailed HTS codes, the top 10 products imported into Bangladesh in 2024 were processed petroleum oils (9.5%), raw cotton (4%), mostly cotton yarn (2.9%), iron or steel scrap (also 2.9%), synthetic yarn woven fabrics (2.2%), palm oil (2.1%), mostly cotton woven fabrics (2%), coal including solid fuels made from coal (1.8%), electrical energy (1.7%) and fabrics excluding warp-knit (1.6%).

Collectively, the above-specified major imports represent almost one-third (30.3%) of all Bangladeshi imported goods.

Bangladesh’s Imports of Mineral Fuels and Related Products

In 2024, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products.

1. Processed petroleum oils: US$6.1 billion (down -19.4% from 2023)
2. Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $1.1 billion (down -4.7%)
3. Electrical energy: $1.1 billion (down -23.3%)
4. Petroleum gases: $396.2 million (down -85.3%)
5. Crude oil: $39 million (down -75.3%)
6. Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $9.6 million (down -9.2%)
7. Coke, semi-coke: $8.8 million (down -24.6%)
8. Petroleum oil residues: $4.7 million (down -94.1%)
9. Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $4.1 million (down -23%)
10. Distilled tar: $2.4 million (down -1.9%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of distilled tar (down -1.9%), coal including solid fuels made from coal (down -4.7%) then petroleum jelly and mineral waxes (down -9.2%) declined at the slowest pace from 2023 to 2024.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of mineral fuels-related imports among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.

Bangladesh’s Imports of Cotton and Related Products

In 2024, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of cotton and related products.

1. Cotton (uncarded, uncombed): US$2.6 billion (up 5.3% from 2023)
2. Yarn (85%+ cotton): $1.9 billion (up 23.5%)
3. Woven fabrics (85%+ cotton): $1.3 billion (up 18.6%)
4. Woven fabrics (mixed): $799.1 million (up 8.5%)
5. Woven cotton fabrics: $770.2 million (up 5.5%)
6. Woven fabrics (under 85% cotton): $241.5 million (down -0.5%)
7. Yarn (under 85% cotton): $137.1 million (up 21.3%)
8. Other woven fabrics: $98.6 million (up 58.2%)
9. Cotton waste: $6 million (down -50.3%)
10. Cotton (carded, combed): $2.6 million (down -98.8%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of miscellaneous woven fabrics (up 58.2%), yarn made from 85% or more cotton (up 23.5%) then yarn made from under 85% cotton (up 21.3%) grew at the fastest pace from 2023 to 2024.

These amounts and the percentage changes within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported cotton among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.

Bangladesh’s Imports of Machinery Including Computers

In 2024, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines including computers.

1. Air or vacuum pumps: US$247.9 million (down -2% from 2023)
2. Computers, optical readers: $235.7 million (down -13.5%)
3. Sewing machines, related furniture: $211.1 million (up 37.9%)
4. Liquid pumps and elevators: $204.1 million (down -17.9%)
5. Knitting/stitching machines: $192.6 million (up 19.6%)
6. Yarn wash/clean/iron machines: $190.4 million (down -8.8%)
7. Miscellaneous machinery: $175.2 million (down -6.7%)
8. Air conditioners: $161.4 million (down -1.9%)
9. Taps, valves, similar appliances: $144.2 million (down -20.4%)
10. Printing machinery: $143.8 million (up 5.8%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of sewing machines and related furniture (up 37.9%), knitting or stitching machines (up 19.6%) then printing machinery (up 5.8%) grew from 2023 to 2024.

These amounts and the percentage changes within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.

Bangladesh’s Imports of Electrical Items

In 2024, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronic equipment including consumer electronics.

1. Phone devices including smartphones: US$705.9 million (down -15.9% from 2023)
2. Electrical converters/power units: $306.7 million (down -20.9%)
3. Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $294.1 million (up 51.4%)
4. Insulated wire/cable: $209.3 million (down -20%)
5. Unrecorded sound media: $205.9 million (up 24.4%)
6. Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $205 million (down -25.9%)
7. Electric generating sets, converters: $150.5 million (down -34.5%)
8. Flat panel displays: $138.4 million (up 21.4%)
9. Electric motors, generators: $134.6 million (up 7.6%)
10. Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $124.8 million (up 73.8%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of solar power diodes and semi-conductors (up 73.8%), integrated circuits or microassemblies (up 51.4%) then unrecorded sound media (up 24.4%) grew at the fastest pace from 2023 to 2024.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.
 

See also Bangladesh’s Top 10 Exports, Top Exported Hats by Country, Top Exported Baby Clothing Sales, and Cotton Imports by Country

Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook report on South Asia: Bangladesh. Accessed on September 17, 2025

EXCHANGE-RATES.org Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) to US Dollar, Exchange Rate History. Accessed on September 17, 2025

International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database (GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity). Accessed on September 17, 2025

International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on September 17, 2025