Trade & Business

EPA Trade Data Comprehensive Review: Full HS Code Analysis of Korea-Bangladesh Trade

Overview of the EPA Trade Data Comprehensive Analysis

This article provides a full HS-code-based analysis of Korea-Bangladesh trade using EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) trade data. By cross-analyzing the top export and import items, it identifies trade concentration, complementarity, and the share of intra-industry trade, while also drawing out promising trade items and tariff negotiation priorities for a future FTA or CEPA.

HS 2-6 digit
Coverage
All product groups
$2.2B
Total Trade
2023 basis
850+
Export Items
HS 6-digit
350+
Import Items
HS 6-digit
HHI 0.12
Trade Concentration
Moderate concentration
0.68
Complementarity Index
High complementarity

Export HS Code Analysis

Top 10 HS 2-Digit Export Categories to Bangladesh (2023)
HSProductExport ValueShareGrowth
72Iron and steel$320M22%+5%
39Synthetic resins$200M14%+3%
54Man-made filament yarn$150M10%-2%
84Machinery$130M9%+12%
85Electrical equipment$110M8%+8%
55Man-made staple fibers$80M5%-5%
29Organic chemicals$60M4%+7%
87Vehicles$50M3%+15%
73Articles of iron and steel$40M3%+10%
32Dyes and pigments$30M2%+6%

Import HS Codes and Complementarity Analysis

Top Import HS 2-Digit Groups
HS 61 (Knit apparel)$420M (52%)
HS 62 (Woven apparel)$180M (22%)
HS 42 (Leather goods)$60M (7%)
HS 03 (Fishery products)$40M (5%)
Trade Complementarity Review
Complementarity Index0.68 (high)
StructureIndustrial exports vs. consumer imports
Intra-industry TradeGL Index 0.15 (low)
ImplicationA typical vertical specialization structure
01
Export structure: centered on industrial and intermediate goods
Korean exports to Bangladesh are led by industrial and intermediate goods such as iron and steel (HS72, 22%), synthetic resins (HS39, 14%), and man-made fibers (HS54, 10%). This reflects Bangladesh’s sourcing structure for the RMG industry, while growth in machinery (HS84) and vehicles (HS87) is driving export diversification.
02
Import structure: concentrated in apparel and consumer goods
Imports from Bangladesh are heavily concentrated in knit apparel (HS61, 52%) and woven apparel (HS62, 22%), which together account for 74% of the total. This is a textbook vertical trade structure in which industrial materials are exported and finished goods are imported. A complementarity index of 0.68 indicates strong mutual dependence in bilateral trade.
03
CEPA tariff negotiation priorities
(1) Korea’s priorities: tariff reduction for iron and steel (Chapter 72), and improved market access for machinery (Chapter 84) and vehicles (Chapter 87). (2) Bangladesh’s priorities: maintaining duty-free treatment for apparel (Chapters 61 and 62), along with tariff reduction for leather goods (Chapter 42) and fishery products (Chapter 03). (3) A possible area of mutual concession is a package deal pairing Korean steel with Bangladeshi apparel.
04
Promising trade items
(1) Export prospects: medical devices (HS90, +25%), cosmetics (HS33, +30%), and IT equipment (HS84.71, +20%). (2) Import prospects: IT services (non-goods), processed agricultural products (HS20), and jute-based products (HS53). (3) New trade opportunities: solar panels (HS85.41) and electric bicycles (HS87.11).

Trade Structure Outlook

Current Structure
Vertical specialization (HHI 0.12)
Complementarity
Industrial goods vs. consumer goods
CEPA Push
Tariff reduction talks
Product Diversification
Medical, IT, cosmetics
Shift to Horizontal Trade
GL Index 0.15 to 0.25
2030 Target
$5B in trade
Analysis of the UN Resolution on Bangladesh’s LDC GraduationTariff implications of LDC graduation
Korea-Bangladesh Import Statistics by MTI 4-Digit Category (2022-2023.11)Industry-level analysis based on the MTI system

The EPA trade data review shows that Korea-Bangladesh trade still follows a classic vertical specialization model, with a complementarity index of 0.68. Exports of industrial goods such as steel, chemicals, and machinery, together with imports of consumer goods such as apparel and leather products, remain the core structure. If a CEPA is concluded, a steel-apparel package deal is a plausible outcome. Medical devices, cosmetics, and IT equipment stand out as promising export items, while product diversification will be the key task on the path toward the bilateral trade target of $5 billion by 2030.

EPAHS CodesTrade AnalysisExports and ImportsComprehensive Review
EPA Trade Data Comprehensive Review: Full HS Code Analysis of Korea-Bangladesh Trade | Dhaka Trade Portal