Dhaka's cycle rickshaws are moving galleries — bright flowers, birds, film stars, village scenes and slogans painted by hand. In 2023 UNESCO added "Rickshaws and rickshaw painting in Dhaka" to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Rickshaw art makes a colourful, very Bangladeshi gift.
Tell me what you'd like — painted tin plates, trays, kettles, boxes, mirrors, canvases, or a custom piece with a name or message — and your budget. I buy from rickshaw painters and craft shops in Dhaka, send photos, and ship with tracking. Most pieces are light and travel well.
Because rickshaw art is popular, many souvenirs are now printed copies. Hand-painted pieces show brush strokes, small differences in colour and line, and a slightly raised paint surface. Both have their place — printed items are cheaper — but I always tell you which one you are buying.
Small hand-painted items are affordable; large canvases and custom work cost more. Most rickshaw-art pieces are light, so one parcel can hold several gifts. One or two small items usually ship by express courier for about $40–60. Large framed pieces are bulky and cost more — I quote the exact amount before you pay.
Painted metal and canvas decor is normally fine to import. Duty depends on your country and the value — see customs duty on parcels from Bangladesh and your guide: USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia or the Middle East.
Jute bags & rugs · Shital pati · Dhamrai brass & bell metal · Terracotta · Nakshi kantha · Leather goods · Sending gifts
Yes. Rickshaws and rickshaw painting in Dhaka were added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2023.
Yes. A painter can add a name, a message or a scene you choose. Custom work takes a few extra days.
Hand-painted pieces show brush strokes, small differences in line and colour, and a slightly raised paint surface. I always tell you which kind you are buying.
Most pieces are light. One or two small items usually cost about 40 to 60 US dollars by express courier. Large framed pieces cost more.
Yes. It is colourful, light and clearly Bangladeshi, and many people buy several pieces in one parcel.
Last updated: 6 October 2026. Written by Nazrul Islam, personal shopper in Dhaka.
Ready-made or custom, hand-painted pieces. Photos before you pay.