Trade License for Online Business in Bangladesh: DBID & e-TIN

Most Facebook sellers start without any paperwork. That is normal: you test a product, see if people buy, and only then think about registration. But once orders are regular, questions start: do I need a trade license for my online business in Bangladesh? What is DBID? Does a Facebook page count as a business?

This guide explains the four documents most online sellers end up needing (trade license, e-TIN, DBID and a business bank account), what each one does, how to get it, and why couriers, payment gateways and customers care. Fees and rules change and vary by area, so where a number depends on your local authority, we tell you where to check instead of guessing.

Why paperwork matters for an online business

It is tempting to think paperwork is only for big companies. In practice, the documents unlock very practical things:

• A business bank account. Banks normally ask for a trade license and TIN before opening an account in your business name.
• Online payments. Payment gateways and merchant accounts check your documents before letting you accept cards and mobile wallets on your website.
• Customer trust. A DBID number and a proper business name on your website or Page show shoppers that you are a registered business, not an anonymous page.
• Growth. Corporate buyers, suppliers and marketplaces often ask for documents before working with you.
• Staying on the right side of the rules. Bangladesh's digital commerce guidelines expect online sellers to be identifiable.

Here is the big picture before we go into each one:

Trade license for online business in Bangladesh

A trade license is a permission from your local government that records the type of business you run and its address. It is the foundation document: most other applications ask for it.

Who issues it

You apply to the authority responsible for your business address:

• Dhaka: Dhaka North City Corporation or Dhaka South City Corporation, depending on your area.
• Other cities: your city corporation, for example Chattogram City Corporation or Sylhet City Corporation.
• Towns and rural areas: the paurashava (municipality) or union parishad.

An online business still needs an address. Some authorities accept a home address; confirm this before you apply. Several authorities, including Dhaka North City Corporation, let new applicants apply online through their own revenue portal. Others still need an office visit.

Documents commonly requested

The exact list depends on your local authority and business type, but you will usually be asked for:

• The authority's application form
• Your National ID (NID) and a photograph
• Your TIN
• Proof of address: a rental agreement or ownership document, sometimes a utility bill
• Business name and a description of the activity
• For companies: incorporation certificate and related documents

Choose the right category

Describe what you actually do. If you sell clothing online, don't pick a vague category because someone said it was easier. Banks and payment providers compare your license with your real business, and a mismatch means corrections later.

Fees and renewal

Trade license fees depend on the local authority, category and other factors. Don't rely on an old receipt or a blog post: ask for the current fee schedule and keep the official receipt. A trade license must be renewed under your local authority's rules, typically each financial year, so put the renewal date in your calendar. An expired license can stall a bank or payment gateway application.

e-TIN: your taxpayer identification number

An e-TIN is the 12-digit taxpayer identification number issued by the National Board of Revenue. If you run your online business as a sole proprietor (just you, no company), the TIN is in your own name. A private limited company needs its own company TIN.

How to get an e-TIN

1. Go to the official NBR e-TIN portal at secure.incometax.gov.bd.
2. Register as a new user and verify your mobile number or email.
3. Choose the correct taxpayer type: individual, firm or company.
4. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your NID.
5. Review carefully, submit, and download the TIN certificate PDF.

Registering through the official portal has no government fee. If an agent charges you, that is their service fee.

What having a TIN means

A TIN does not mean you automatically owe tax, but it can mean you need to file an income tax return every year, even in a year with low or no income. As a sole proprietor, your business profit is added to your personal income. Keep simple records of sales and costs from the start, so filing is easy.

DBID: Digital Business Identity for online sellers

DBID (Digital Business Identity, also called Digital Business Identification) was introduced by the Ministry of Commerce after the e-commerce fraud scandals of 2021, to separate real sellers from fraudulent ones. The policy is overseen by the ministry's digital commerce cell, and the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) processes applications.

Who needs a DBID

Under the guidelines, almost every business that sells products or services through digital channels is expected to have a DBID:

• Shops with their own e-commerce website or app
• F-commerce sellers on a Facebook Page or group
• Marketplaces and platforms with multiple sellers

This applies whether you are a company, a sole proprietor or not registered at all. A home-based Facebook page selling sarees in Mirpur falls under DBID just like a large website.

How to apply for DBID

You apply online through the official DBID portal (dbid.gov.bd), which uses the government's myGov login. Typically you need:

• The owner's NID number
• A working email and mobile number
• The link to your live website or Facebook business page
• Proof of business address (a rental agreement if the premises are rented)
• Your trade license, if you have one; not having one does not block the application

After you submit, you receive a tracking number. RJSC checks whether another registered DBID uses the same name, and whether your website or Page shows your terms and conditions in Bangla. There is no government fee for DBID.

After approval

Display your DBID number on your website or Facebook Page; the guidelines make this mandatory. Keep the certificate with your other documents.

Be patient, and prepare well

Bangladeshi newspapers have reported a large backlog of DBID applications and many rejections, often for missing documents or missing Bangla terms and conditions. Prepare these before applying:

1. Write clear terms and conditions in Bangla: delivery time, returns and exchanges, refunds and how payment works.
2. Publish them on your website and pin them on your Page.
3. Make sure your business name, address and owner name match across all documents.
4. Save your tracking number and submission date.

Business bank account and payment gateways

Open a separate business account

Once you have a trade license and TIN, open a bank account in your business name. It keeps business and personal money apart, builds a record of business transactions, and is required for most payment gateway settlements.

What payment gateways usually ask for

To accept bKash, Nagad or card payments on your own website through a payment gateway, you apply for a merchant account. Requirements differ by provider, but the usual checklist looks like this:

• NID of the owner
• Valid trade license
• e-TIN certificate
• Bank account in the business name
• DBID, where the provider asks for it (for example, SSLCommerz lists DBID among its onboarding documents)
• A live website with products, prices, contact details and a refund or return policy

Always check your chosen provider's current list before applying. Names and addresses must match letter for letter across documents; a different spelling on the trade license and bank account is a common reason for delays.

What about couriers?

Courier merchant accounts are usually easier to open than payment gateways, and many small sellers start with basic details. Requirements and payout methods vary, so ask each courier what they need. Having a trade license and business bank account makes payouts and any dispute simpler. See our guide on choosing a courier service in Bangladesh.

The right order to do it, and a checklist

Following this order saves repeat trips:

1. Have your NID ready. Everything starts here.
2. Get your e-TIN online. It is quick and free, and the trade license application usually asks for it.
3. Get the trade license from your local authority, with the right business category.
4. Open a business bank account with the trade license and TIN.
5. Apply for DBID with your website or Page link and Bangla terms published.
6. Apply for a payment gateway when you want online payments.
7. Check VAT. Under current rules, small businesses below certain annual turnover thresholds don't need full VAT registration, but turnover tax enlistment and VAT registration apply as sales grow. Ask a tax adviser when your turnover rises.

Checklist:

• NID scan, photo and e-TIN certificate
• Trade license valid and in the right category
• Business name and address identical on every document
• Bank account in the business name
• Bangla terms and conditions on your website and Page
• DBID number displayed after approval
• Renewal dates in your calendar

If you are just starting out, read our guide on how to start an online business in Bangladesh first. And if you sell mainly cash on delivery, how cash on delivery works for online shops explains what to set up before online payments.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Different spellings everywhere. "Rupkotha Fashion" on one document and "Rupkatha Fashions" on another can stop a bank or gateway application.
• Paying agents for free services. e-TIN and DBID have no government fee.
• Letting the trade license expire. Renew on time; an expired license blocks other applications.
• Applying for DBID without Bangla terms. This is one of the most reported reasons for rejection.
• Applying to a gateway with an unfinished website. Gateways look at your site; make sure prices, contact and return policy are visible.
• Ignoring tax returns after getting a TIN. A TIN can bring a duty to file returns every year.

Start selling with EasyMall

A professional website makes DBID and payment gateway applications easier, because reviewers can see your products, prices, contact details and policies in one place. With EasyMall you get:

• A live store website on a free easymall.app address, with your own .com or .com.bd domain whenever you're ready. Read how to connect a custom domain.
• An editor where you change every text, image and colour on your store without code, so your shop name, contact details and DBID number can be shown clearly.
• Products with prices, stock and descriptions, and a cash on delivery checkout with inside and outside Dhaka delivery charges.
• An orders dashboard and a website chat assistant that answers customers from your own information.

Online payments through bKash, Nagad and cards (via SSLCommerz), a business profile and an FAQs page are coming soon. Create your free store website, free forever, no card or bKash needed.