E-commerce companies have to deliver the product to the buyers within 10 days of receiving the advance payment.
The Ministry of Commerce has given these instructions to the e-commerce companies of the country.
If the buyer and seller are in the same city, the product must be delivered to the customer within 5 days. After this period, when the product reaches the customer, the customer can return it.
There are complaints against several e-commerce sites that they do not deliver on time or deliver products late but do not get it back from customers. In this context, the ministry has issued such instructions.
Regarding advance payment, it has been said that if the buyer pays in advance through debit or credit card, bank transfer or mobile banking, the full amount must be refunded within a maximum of seven days of failure to deliver the goods.
Payment for a product must be handed over to the deliveryman or the delivery company within 48 hours of receipt and the customer must be notified by telephone, e-mail or SMS.
It further said that e-commerce companies will not be able to take an advance of more than 10 per cent of the value of the goods or services if they are not in a condition to be delivered to the deliveryman within a maximum of 72 hours. However, Bangladesh Bank will be able to take the entire amount in advance through the approved escrow service.
Delivery time of essential goods will be further shortened and delivery time should be clearly informed to the buyer at the time of receipt of purchase order. If there is more than one product in a single purchase order, separate delivery charges cannot be levied. However, if the merchant is different, a separate delivery charge may be levied and the buyer must be informed before confirming the order.
Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in the government taking legal action against e-commerce companies by banning trade licenses, company registration, VAT registration and other related marketplaces. The aggrieved buyer will be able to sue for legal redress in other courts, including the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.
