1. Find and vet a supplier
Buy from a registered exporter, not a broker. Ask for the Export Registration Certificate (ERC) and the Department of Jute license, both of which a genuine Bangladeshi jute exporter holds. Always get physical samples before a bulk order and check the cloth weight, weave, stitching and any print.
2. Agree the spec and Incoterms
Put the order in writing: weave (B-Twill, Binola, DW), bag size, bag weight, food-grade VOT if needed, print and packing. Then agree the Incoterm. Jute is usually sold FOB Chattogram, where you arrange freight, or CFR / CIF to your port, where the supplier arranges freight, and insurance for CIF.
3. Set payment terms
The two common methods are a telegraphic transfer (TT), often 30% advance and 70% against shipping documents, or an irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight, which protects both sides on larger orders. Agree this before production starts.
4. Inspect before shipment
For a first order, book a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) with an independent agency such as SGS or Bureau Veritas. They verify quantity, dimensions, weight and finish before the goods leave Bangladesh, so problems are caught at the mill, not at your warehouse.
5. The shipping documents
A standard jute shipment travels with this paperwork:
| Document | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Value and terms of the sale |
| Packing list | Bale and bag count, net and gross weights |
| Bill of lading (B/L) | Shipping contract and title to the goods |
| Certificate of Origin | Confirms made in Bangladesh; can unlock duty preference |
| Pre-shipment inspection report | Independent quality check, if you required one |
| Fumigation / phytosanitary certificate | If your country requires it for natural fibre |
6. Customs clearance in your country
Jute bags clear under HS code 6305.10. A customs broker in your country handles the entry, pays any duty and VAT, and releases the container. Many markets apply low or zero duty on jute as a natural product; the Certificate of Origin is what proves eligibility.