Bangladesh's garment industry transshipped over 34,900 tonnes of apparel products worth $462.34 million through India to 36 countries in 15 months.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association shared the data yesterday after India abruptly cancelled the transhipment route for Bangladesh on April 8.

It came amid global concerns over new "reciprocal" tariffs announced by the US, which later paused the levy for three months for Bangladesh, India and other countries, except China.

Bangladesh's exports through India in the 15 months from January 2024 to March 2025 included various clothing items such as blouses, trousers, T-shirts, and baby garments.

The US, European Union nations like Germany and France, and Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea were among the destinations.

The United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Canada were among the top non-EU importers, while South Africa and Chile also featured prominently.

The shipments were routed through India as part of regional trade facilitation. The route, via Kolkata and Delhi airports, had grown popular for air cargo, especially during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

It allowed Bangladeshi exporters to move goods overland to India through the Benapole-Petrapole border and then air-ship them worldwide. The route offered faster service and, often, lower costs than relying on the overstretched Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

Industry estimates suggest about 18 percent of Bangladesh's garment air cargo was flown through Indian airports. Bangladesh exported roughly 3,400 tonnes of garments by air per week, with 600 tonnes flown through Indian airports before the transshipment ban, according to data from the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association.

In FY24, Bangladesh exported $44.47 billion, with $36 billion from garments. Of its $8.4 billion exports to the US in 2024, 90 percent were ready-made garments.