| | Commodities / Goods | Value |
| 1. | Fresh fish | 900 |
| 2. | Semi-tanned cow hides including wet and blue | 100 |
| 3. | Furnace oil, jute batching oil and naptha | 150 |
| 4. | Newsprint and low grammage writing paper | 300 |
| 5. | Raw jute | 750 |
| 6. | Molasses | 25 |
| 7. | Ayurvedic and unani medicines | 25 |
| 8. | Books Periodicals and Gramophone records | 20 |
| 9. | Movies | 15 |
| 10. | Pharmaceuticals | 10 |
| 11. | Spices | 5 |
| 12. | Simul Cotton (Kapok)
Hard Board
Handloom products | 100 |
| 13. | Miscellaneous (items to be mutually agreed upon) | 100 |
| | | 2500 |
2. For the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of paragraph I, the Local Head Office of the State Bank of India at Calcutta
and the bank designated by the Bank of Bangladesh, Dacca, shall open special accounts with each other, to be utilised solely for
the purpose of making payments to exporters in either country by the bank incorporated and resident in that country on behalf of
its correspondent in the other country. Subject to the laws and regulations as in force in the two countries from time to time overdraft
facilities shall be given by either bank to its correspondent in the other country. In the event of the overdraft in either account
being in excess of the limit stipulated by the relevant law or regulation as applicable to or in relation to that account, the Government
of the country in which the account is maintained will grant special loan to the bank concerned provided that the total amount of
such loan or loans together shall not be in excess of five crores of Indian rupees or five crores of Bangladesh Takas. The said
loan shall be granted free of interest by the two Governments. In exceptional circumstances the two Governments will agree to increase
the limit of the loan in order to facilitate the continuance of trade. Such excess over rupees five crores will carry a rate of
interest of six percent. The amount outstanding on the expiry of the agreement shall be settled in Pounds Sterling or in any other
manner mutually agreed upon. The Local Head Office of the State Bank of India at Calcutta will in consultation with the bank designated
by the Bank of Bangladesh, Dacca, finalise the details of the banking arrangements in pursuance of the provisions of this article
which would inter alia provide for adjustments of overdrafts periodically.
3. In the event of change in the parity of either the Indian rupee or the Bangladesh Taka, while these arrangements are in force,
the two Governments will consult each other with a view to reaching an agreed solution to the problem of adjustments.
4. Imports and exports of the commodities and goods in lists I and II above which are in excess of the value shown against them and
of commodities and goods which are not included in those lists shall, subject to import, export and foreign exchange laws, regulations
and procedures in force in either country from time to time, be financed through authorised dealers in foreign exchange in either
country acting through their correspondents in the other country. Subject to the provisions of the exchange regulations in force
in the two countries, an authorised dealer may grant to the correspondent in the other country an overdraft to such extent and on
such terms and conditions as may be permitted by the Reserve Bank of India or the Bangladesh Bank as the case may be. The settlement
of amounts due to or from an authorised dealer from or to the correspondent in accordance with these arrangements will be in Pounds
Sterling. The Reserve Bank of India and the Bangladesh Bank will in consultation with each other endeavour to provide the maximum
facilities possible for facilitating the flow of trade in accordance with the provisions of Article III.
5. Subject to such exceptions as may be made by mutual agreement between the two Governments, commodities and goods imported into
one country from the other shall not be re-exported to a third country.
SCHEDULE ‘B’
PROVISIONS RELATING TO BORDER TRADE REFERRED TO IN
ARTICLE IV OF THE AGREEMENT
1. These facilities shall apply to the trade across the land customs frontiers between West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and
Mizoram on the one hand and Bangladesh on the other.
2. These facilities shall be available only to persons living in areas other than municipal areas, within sixteen kilometres of the
land customs frontiers and holding special permits issued by their respective competent authority.
3. Every person holding such a special permit may carry across the border in each sector only such goods and commodities and in such
quantities as are specified, in the annexure to the schedule and for this purpose may cross the border only once a day in each direction
or any two specified days of a week and only through such routes as may be authorised in this behalf. If market conditions in a
locality justify relaxation of the number of days in a week on which persons holding special permits may cross the border between
the concerned competent authorities in the two countries.
4. The carriage of such goods shall be free from import, export, exchange control restrictions as well as customs duty and customs
formalities.
5. Each person may carry in cash a sum not exceeding one hundred in Bangladesh or Indian currency when crossing the border from either
country into the other.
6. Either Government may maintain such checks and take such preventive measures including the right to search as are considered necessary
to ensure that these concessions are not exceeded or abused.
7. These arrangements shall be subject to review after a period of six months to consider whether they should be extended or amended
in any way. If even before the expiry of this period of six months either country feels the need to withdraw or modify the facilities
under this Agreement, it would enter into immediate consultations with the other country taking such measures as it may consider
necessary.
ANNEXURE TO SCHEDULE 'B'
I-Mizoram-Chittagong Hill Tracts Sector
_______________________________________________________________________________
Mizoram to Chittagong Chittagong-Miroram
_______________________________________________________________________________
| Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried | Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried |
| 1. Til seeds | Head load | 1. Gur | Head load |
| 2. Raw Cotton | Do | 2. Onion and Garlic | Do |
| 3. Chillies | Do | 3. Fish, fresh and dried | Do |
| 4. Forest produce (including timber unclassed agarwood, cane thatching grass, firewood and bamboos) | Boat load raft or
cart load | 4. Poultry and eggs | Do |
| | | 5. Vegetables including potatos including potatos | Do |
| | | 6. Fresh fruits | Do |
| 5. Fresh fruits | Head load | 7. Chhana and Sweetmeats | 1 Kilogram |
| | | 8. Betel Nuts | 1/4 Kilogram |
| 6. Milk and Milk Products | Do | 9. Betelleaves | Head load |
| | | 10. Spices | 2 Kilograms |
| | | 11. Earthen-ware | Head load |
| | | 12. Tea | 1/2 Kilogram |
II-Khasi Jainitia and Garo Hills-Sylhet Mymensingh Sector
_______________________________________________________________________________
For export from Khasi, Jainitia and Garo
For export from Sylhet and Mymensingh
hills to Sylbet and Mymensingh to Khasi Jainitia Hills and Garo Hills
_______________________________________________________________________________
| Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried | Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried |
| 1. Fresh fruits | Head load | 1. Fish, fresh and dried | Head load |
| 2. Vegetables including potatoes | Do | 2. Poultry and eggs | Do |
| 3. Forest produce (including timber unclassed agarwood, cane thatching grass, firewood and bamboos) | Boat load raft or cart load | 3. Vegetables | Do |
4. Ginger, Turmeric,
Chillies & Tejpatta | Head Load | 4. Betelnuts
| 1 Kilogram |
| 5. Onion | Do | 5. Betel leaves | Head load |
| 6. Tapioca | Do | 6. Spices | 2 Kilograms |
| 7. Milk and Milk products | Do | 7. Chhana and sweetmeats | 1 Kilogram |
| 8. Lime and lime stone | Do | 8. Fresh fruits | Head load |
9. Shingles and
Boulders | Boat, raft or cart load | | |
| 10. Sand | Do | | |
| 11. Betel leaves | Head Load | | |
| 12. Mustard oil | 1 Kilogram | | |
| 13. Mustard seed | Head load | | |
III-Cachar-Syllet Sector
_______________________________________________________________________________ For export from Cachar to Syllet For export from Sylhet to Cachar
_______________________________________________________________________________
| Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried | Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried |
| 1. Forest produce (including timber unclassed agarwood, cane, thatching grass, firewood and bamboos) | Boat load raft or cart load | 1. Fish, Fresh & dried | Head load |
| | | 2. Poultry and eggs | Do |
| | | 3. Soap (Washing) | 1/2 Kilogram |
| 2. Kerosene oil | 1 Bottle | 4. Spieces including ginger | 2 Kilograms
|
| 3. Vegetables (including potatoes) | Head load | 5. Onion and Garlic | Head load |
| 4. Milk and Milk products | Do | 6. Fresh fruits | Do |
| | | 7. Vegetables | Do |
| 5. Soap (Washing) | 1/2 kilogram | 8. Chhana and sweetmeatas | 1 Kilogram |
IV-Tripura Bangladesh Sector
_______________________________________________________________________________
For export from Tripura to Bangladesh For export from Bangladesh to Tripura
_______________________________________________________________________________
| Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried | Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried |
| 1. Vegetables (including (potatoes) | Head load | 1. Poultry and eggs | Head load |
| 2. Milk and milk products | Do | 2. Chhana and Sweetmeat | 1 Kilogram |
| 3. Forest produce (including timber unclassed agarwood, cane, thatching glass, firewood and bamboos) | Boat load raft or cart load | 3. Fish, Fresh and dried | Head load |
| | | 4. Vetetables | Do |
| | | 5. Onion and Garlic | Do |
| | | 6. Coconut (dry and green) | Do |
| 4. Til Seeds | Head Load | 7. Fresh fruits | Do |
| 5. Fresh fruits | Do | 8. Gram and Pulse | Do |
| 6. Gram and Pulses | Do | 9. Betel leaves | Do |
| 7. Kerosene | 1 Bottle | 10. Spices | 2 Kilograms |
V-Rangpur (Bangladesh)-Assam (Bordering district) Cooch
Behar/Jalpaiguri (West Bengal) Sector
_______________________________________________________________________________
Export from Assam bordering district to Export from Rangpur (Bangladesh) to Assam
Rangpur) Cooch Behar Jalpaiguri (West
bordering district to Rangpur) Cooch Behar,
Bengal) to Rangpur (Bangladesh) Jalpaiguri (West Bengal)
_______________________________________________________________________________
| Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried | Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried |
| 1. Fresh fruits | Head load | 1. Fish | Head load |
| 2. Vegetables including potatos | Do | 2. Poultry and eggs | Do |
| 3. Spices | 2 Kilograms | 3. Tobacco | 1 Kilogram |
| 4. Firewood | Head Load | 4. Coconuts | Head Load |
| 5. Milk and Milk Products | Do | 5. Betel leaves | Do |
| 6. Tobacco | 1 Kilogram | 6. Spices | 2 Kilograms |
| 7. Washing Soap | 1/4 Kilogram | 7. Salt | 1 Kilogram |
| 8. Bamboo | Boat load, raft or cart load | 8. Fodder or cattle | Head Load |
| 9. Mustard oil | 1 Kilogram | 9. Bamboo | Head load raft or cart load |
| 10. Mustard seed/rape seed | Head Load | 10. Thatching grass | Do |
| 11. Coconut oils | 1 Kilogram | 11. Hogla leaves | Head Load |
| | | 12. Firewood | Do |
| | | 13. Gur | Do |
| | | 14. Chhana and Sweatmeats | Do |
VI-Rest of Bangladesh - Rest of West Bengal
_______________________________________________________________________________
Export from West Bengal to Bangladesh Export from Bangladesh to West Bengal
_______________________________________________________________________________
| Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried | Name of Commodities | Quantities allowed to be carried |
| 1. Fresh Fruits | Head load | 1. Fish | Head load |
| 2. Vegetables | Do | 2. Poultry and eggs | Do |
| 3. Spices | 2 Kilogram | 3. Coconuts | Do |
| 4. Milk and Milk products | Head load | 4. Spices | 2 Kilograms |
| 5. Gram and pulses | Do | 5. Betel leaves | Head load |
| 6. Gur | Do | 6.
Fooder/cattle | Do |
| 7. Firewood | Boat load raft or cart load | 7. Golpatta | Do |
| 8. Bamboo | Do | 8. Chhana and Sweet meats | Do |
| 9. Thatching grass | Do | 9. Fresh fruits | Do |
| 10. Simul cotton | Head Load | 10. Vegetables | Do |
| 11. Mustard oil | 1 Kilogram | 11. Hogla leaves | Do |
| 12. Mustard seed/rape seed) | Head Load | 12. Firewood | Do |
| 13. Coconut oil | 1 Kilogram | 13. Broomsticks | Do |
| | | 14. Simul cotton | Do |
| | | 15. Gur | Do |
| | | 16. Bamboo | Boat, raft or cart load |
| | | 17. Thatching grass | Do |
PROTOCOL
Dacca, 1 November 1972
In pursuance of Article V of the Trade Agreement entered into between the Government of India and the Government of Bangladesh on
28th March 1972, wherein the two Governments agreed to make mutually beneficial agreements for the use of their waterways for commerce
between the two countries and for passage of goods between two places in one country through the territory of the other, it is further
agreed as follows :
1. Definition :
For the purpose of this protocol unless the context otherwise requires :
(a) The terms “Competent Authorities” will mean the authorities authorised by the respectige Governments.
(b) The term “Route” will refer to the routes :
1. Calcutta-Raimangal-Khulna-Barisal-Chandpur-Goalun
-do-Serajganj - Behadurabad-Chilmari-Dhubri.
2. Calcutta-Raimangal-Barisal-Chandpur-Narayanganj-
Bhairab Bazar - Ajmirganj - Markulir - Sherpur -
Fenchuganj-Zakiganj-Kazimganj.
3. Dhubri/Chilmari-Bahadurabad-Serajganj-Goalundo-
Chandpur-Barisal-Khulna-Raimangal-Calcutta.
4. Karimganj-Zakirganj-Fenchuganj-Sherpur-Markulir-
Ajmirganj-Bhairab Bazar - Narayanganj - Chandpur
- Barisal-Raimangal-Calcutta.
Or such other routes as may be prescribed by the competent authorities from time to time.
(c) The terms “Vessels” will mean the watercraft which are registered under I.M.P.V. Act, 1917 in case of Bangladesh vessels and
I.S.V. Act, 1917 in case of Indian vessels.
2. Conservancy and pilotage :
Each country will maintain the river routes falling within its territory in a navigable condition and provide aids for running vessels
at night and all the essential pilotage and conservancy services.
3. Hydrographic surveys :
Hyderographic surveys will be undertaken on the different routes by the concerned Government, if so desired by the other. Survey
maps relating to the routes traversed by inter-country or transit traffic will be made available to the operators actually engaged
in the traffic.
4. Port dues and other charges :
Port dues may be levied by the competent authorities in either country on the vessels belonging to the other country and engaged
in inter-country or transit transport at the same rate as applicable to local vessels.
The competent authorities in either country may also levy on the vessels of the other, charges for conservancy, pilotage and other
specific services at par with those charged from the local vessels. For convenience of assessment the charges will normally be determined
with reference to the tonage of traffic carried by the vessels.
5. Handling Facilities :
Each country will permit the vessels of the other country to utilise all available cranes and other handling facilities on the same
terms and conditions as applicable to local vessels. Operators of one country may also take their own floating or shore-based crane
to the other country for their own use where the host country is unable to provide such facilities.
6. Supply of bunkers :
The vessels of either country running between the two countries and also between places in the same country through the other country
will be permitted to purchase the fuel required by them for the purpose of their operations. Inland vessels registered in India
may be bunkered at Khulna, Barisal, Narayanganj, Dacca or Goalundo in Bangladesh. Like-wise, vessels registered in Bangladesh may
be bunkered at Calcutta, Budgebudge, Haldia, Karimganj, Dhubri, Pandu or Neamati in India.
The Indian concerned vessels may maintain for their exclusive use their coal dumps on premises as may be leased out by the BIWTA
and as may be mutually agreed upon.
7. Purchase of essential stores :
The vessels operating in either country will be allowed to purchase the stores they may require for their operation during any voyage
in the other country.
8. Purchase of rations/provisions by the fleet personnel during their voyage :
Ration, fresh food and other provisions essential for fleet personnel will be allowed to be purchased in either country to meet the
requirements of a voyage.
9. Repair facilities :
Vessels of either country calling for urgent repairs en-route will be allowed to have repairs done at the Government owned marine
workshops in either country. The expenditure incurred on such repairs will be reported by the operators to the concerned foreign
exchange authorities for their clearance in accordance with the provisions of Article 24.
10. Assistance to be provided by either country to the Vessels of the other in distress :
Each country will provide all the necessary facilities to the vessels of the other, which may be grounded or otherwise in distress
during their voyage in its waterways. Expenditure incurred on salvage operations, if required on such occasions shall be cleared
in accordance with the arrangements to be established under Article 24.
11. Recognition of survey certificates and other documents :
The survey certificates and other documents issued by the appropriate authorities in one country for the vessels registered in it
and running to or through the other will be recognised and accepted as valid by the other. These certificates or documents shall
be produced by the Master of the vessel concerned at the point of entry and at any other point, as may be required during the voyage.
12. Flying of flags :
The vessel of each country will carry its national flag and the national flage of the country which it is transiting beside the flag.
13. Use of radio-telephone by river craft :
Inland vessels will be allowed to be equipped with radio-telephone for facilities of speedy communications, especially in emergencies,
in conformity with the current regulations of either country.
14. Registration and issue of identity cards :
The personnel manning vessels plying through or between the two countries shall carry certificates of employment and permits, with
a photograph of the concerned individual duly authenticated by the authorities to be nominated by the respective countries in regard
to their personnel. Officers supervising or controlling the fleet of the operators in either country shall carry passports endorsed
with multi-journey visas.
15. Permission of fleet personnel and travelling officers to go by rail, road or air in special
circumstances.
Fleet personnel and travelling officers posted to any of the vessels in transit in either country will be allowed to travel by rail,
road or air, whenever they are required to join duty on the vessels or when they have to leave their duty on the vessels by reason
of sickness or other emergency.
16. Prohibition on vessels in transit :
Vessels in transit through one country will not engage in inter-country trade and will not take or discharge cargo or passengers
in the country through which they are passing.
17. Sharing of inter-country trade :
The two countries will endeavour to carry inter-country trade on equal tonnage basis. The competent authorities of the two countries
may mutually consult with each other to implement this through appropriate measures.
18. Common freight rates :
The operators in both the countries will charge to the extent practicable uniform freight rates for inter-country traffic. Such
rates will be fixed by the competent authorities by mutual consultations.
19. Involving uniform documentation for vessels :
The documents issued in accordance with the regulation in one country in respect of the cargoes carried by vessels going to, or through
the other country will be accepted by the other. Efforts will be made to evolve uniform documentation in both the country as early
as possible. Manifest shall be submitted for in transit goods in duplicate in addition to Manifest Book to the Customs Officer
at the point of entry, one of which will be retained by him and the other duly endorsed will be sent in sealed cover through the
Master of the vessel to the Customs Officer at the exit point.
20. Customs checks and documentation :
Both the countries agree to reduce customs documentation and other requirements to the essential minimum, and to have customs stations
at or near the point of entry and exit in each country.
21. Freight remittance facilities :
The freight earned by the vessels of either country from traffic originating in the other and carried by them will be allowed to
be remitted to the owners of the vessels in accordance with the arrangements for remittance of surplus collection between the two
countries that may be in force from time to time in accordance with Article 24.
22. Permission to operate trucks between places in India and river stations in Bangladesh :
Bangladesh trucks and/or tractor-trailers may carry cargoes transhipped from river craft at Sherpur and Chatak to the Indian border.
Cargoes brought by deeper-draft vessels from India upto Sherpur or any other point on the waterways in Bangladesh may be transhipped
into shallow-draft craft for destinations in India. Conversely, transhipment can also be made from shallow-draft vessels to deeper-draft
vessels. Transhipment will be carried out under the supervision of IWTA, and customs authorities of Bangladesh.
23. Opening of branch offices and appointment of agents :
The operators or vessels in one country will be allowed to open their branch offices or appoint their agents only at major inland
ports and secondary river ports in the other.
24. Arrangements for settlement, clearance and remittance :
Subject to their respective foreign exchange regulations the competent authorities of India and Bangladesh shall, through mutual
consultations, establish a comprehensive system for the settlement, clearance and remittance of all sums, claims or dues on account
of goods supplied, services rendered or facilities afforded to the vessels of one country in or by the other.
25. Setting up a Standing Committee :
For evaluating and reviewing the working of this Protocol and for the purpose of improvement of Inland water transportation between
the two countries, there shall be a Standing Committee, including representatives of the Ministry of Shipping and Transport in India
and the Ministry of Shipping, Inland Water Transport and Aviation in Bangladesh, the representatives of the Ministries of Finance
of India and Bangladesh, the representatives of the CIWTC of India and the BIWTA of Bangladesh, the concerned Collectors of Land
Customs and two representatives of the operators, one from each country. The Committee may co-opt any other members whose participation
is considered necessary by it. The Standing Committee shall meet at least once in six months.
26. Terms of the Protocol :
This arrangement shall come into force from the date of signature and shall remain in force for an initial period of five years from
that date.
DONE in Dacca on the first day of November, Nineteen hundred and Seventy-two in two original copies, both in English.
On behalf of the Government
On behalf of the Government
of India
of the People’s Republic
of Bangladesh
Sd/-
Sd/-
M.G. PIMPUTKAR
S. Z. KHAN
Secretary, Ministry of
Secretary, Ministry of
Transport and Shipping
Shipping, Inland Water
Transport and Aviation
