Bangladesh-based apparel exporter Doreen Garments Ltd has filed a lawsuit in a United States court against US buyer Zinntex LLC over unpaid dues amounting to $678,412.
According to company director Tahzeeb Alam Siddique, the firm exported 96,576 pieces of denim trousers to Zinntex nearly two years ago. Despite repeated payment requests, the buyer has remained unresponsive.
The legal case was initiated a year ago, and the company remains optimistic about recovering the payment, citing strong sales and banking documentation.
“This amount is significant for us, and pursuing legal action is necessary despite the high cost,” Siddique said.
Industry sources indicate that several Chattogram-based garment manufacturers have reportedly faced similar issues with the same buyer, which primarily sources denim products and does not maintain an office in Bangladesh.
On March 16, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) issued a formal warning to its members, advising caution in dealing with Zinntex LLC.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan confirmed that the association had attempted to recover the payment but received no response. The organization plans to raise the issue with the US Embassy in Dhaka after Eid.
The association is also collecting information from member factories to assess the scale of non-payment and has proposed mandatory membership for buying houses to ensure greater accountability in trade practices.
