# Pakistan (PK)

**Capital:** Islamabad  
**Currency:** Pakistani Rupee (PKR)  
**Population:** 241,499,431 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 881,913 km²

> Pakistan, with about 241 million inhabitants, is an important procurement and sales market in South Asia and a major exporter of textiles and rice. The seaports Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar handle almost all foreign trade. Imports are subject to 18 percent Sales Tax as well as customs duties and tax advance payments; processing is carried out electronically via WeBOC and the Pakistan Single Window. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) strengthens road, rail and port infrastructure. EU exporters benefit from GSP-Plus; there is no free trade agreement with Switzerland/EFTA.

Pakistan (PK) lies in South Asia on the Arabian Sea and acts as the CPEC transit country between western China, Central Asia and the Gulf, as well as a major exporter of textiles and rice. Imports are subject to 18 percent sales tax plus customs duty, additional customs duty and advance taxes; clearance runs electronically through WeBOC and the FBR's Pakistan Single Window. Almost all seaborne trade moves through Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar; air cargo runs via Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB), complemented by dry ports such as Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot. Key corridors are the N-5 Karachi–Peshawar, motorways M-1/M-2, the Karakoram Highway (N-35) to China and the ML-1 main rail line (CPEC upgrade). Main exports are textiles, rice, leather goods and sporting goods; imports centre on petroleum products, machinery and chemicals, with the USA, China, the EU and the Gulf states as leading partners. EU market access runs via GSP+; there is no FTA with Switzerland/EFTA.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, AE, SA, US, ID

**Top Export Partners:** US, CN, GB, DE, NL

**Top Import Goods:** Petroleum products, Machinery, Vehicles, Chemicals, Electronics

**Top Export Goods:** Textiles, Rice, Leather goods, Sporting goods

**Key Airports:**
- [Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/allama-iqbal-international-airport-lhe)
- [Islamabad International Airport (ISB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/islamabad-international-airport-isb)
- [Jinnah International Airport (KHI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/jinnah-international-airport-khi)
- [Bahawalpur Airport (BHV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bahawalpur-airport-bhv)
- [Chitral Airport (CJL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chitral-airport-cjl)
- [Dera Ghazi Khan Airport (DEA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dera-ghazi-khan-airport-dea)
- [Dera Ismail Khan Airport (DSK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dera-ismael-khan-airport-dsk)
- [Faisalabad International Airport (LYP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/faisalabad-international-airport-lyp)
- [Gilgit Airport (GIL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gilgit-airport-gil)
- [Mangla Airport (XJM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mangla-airport-xjm)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Sales Tax (GST) standard rate 18 percent on the import value (since 2023)  
**Customs complexity:** High  
**Customs system:** Electronic processing via WeBOC (Web-Based One Customs) and the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) of the FBR / Pakistan Customs; imports by electronic Goods Declaration.  
**Customs authority:** [Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) - Pakistan Customs](https://www.fbr.gov.pk)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** CPEC transit country / Textile exporter  
**Economic area:** SAFTA / CPFTA / EU GSP+  
**Logistics risk:** medium to high  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium to high

## FAQ

### What is the import sales tax in Pakistan?

The standard sales tax (GST) rate is 18 percent and has applied to imports since February 2023. Customs duty, additional customs duty and advance taxes are added; some goods are reduced-rated or exempt.

### Which system is used for customs clearance?

Clearance is handled electronically through WeBOC (Web-Based One Customs) and the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) of the FBR / Pakistan Customs via an electronic goods declaration.

### Is there a free trade agreement with Switzerland or EFTA?

No, there is no free trade agreement with Switzerland or EFTA. However, EU imports from Pakistan benefit from the GSP+ preference scheme, and Pakistan has FTAs with China (CPFTA), Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

### Which seaports and airports matter for cargo?

The key seaports are Karachi Port, Port Qasim and the CPEC port of Gwadar, handling almost all foreign trade. Air cargo runs mainly through Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB).

### Which goods are prohibited or restricted?

Prohibited items include alcohol, pork, weapons, drugs and offensive media. Food is subject to halal requirements; further licensing and import restrictions follow from the Import Policy Order.

### What role does the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) play?

CPEC links Gwadar port via roads (Karakoram Highway) and the ML-1 railway to western China and drives the expansion of ports, roads, rail and energy. This positions Pakistan as a transit hub.

### What should be noted on export control and sanctions?

Pakistan operates strategic export controls through SECDIV under the SECA-2004 with national control lists (last revised 2025). Since October 2022 it is off the FATF grey list; there are no comprehensive international sanctions.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.fbr.gov.pk](https://www.fbr.gov.pk)
- [https://www.fbr.gov.pk/categ/customs-tariff/51149/70853/131188](https://www.fbr.gov.pk/categ/customs-tariff/51149/70853/131188)
- [https://www.psw.gov.pk/](https://www.psw.gov.pk/)
- [https://www.weboc.gov.pk/](https://www.weboc.gov.pk/)
- [https://www.pbs.gov.pk/](https://www.pbs.gov.pk/)
- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Pakistani_census](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Pakistani_census)
- [https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/pakistan_en](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/pakistan_en)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/pakistan-trade-agreements](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/pakistan-trade-agreements)

*Last verified: 2026-07-28*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pk](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pk)*

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