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ARSHAD SUALEH Corporation

Import & export guides

How Pakistani trade actually works.

Procedures, duties, documents and the mistakes that hold containers, explained plainly by the team that has cleared cargo at Karachi's ports since 1988. Free to read, current, and written from practice rather than theory.

Aerial view of a container terminal

Shipping Guides for Importers and Exporters

These guides explain the procedures around moving goods into and out of Pakistan: documents, duties, regulations and the charges that appear when cargo waits at the port. They are written to help you plan a shipment before you book it.

If you are choosing between transport options, start with our articles on how to choose a freight forwarder, FCL and LCL shipping, and air freight compared with sea freight.

How to choose a freight forwarder · FCL vs LCL · Air vs sea freight

Import procedure

Step-by-step import procedure in Pakistan: importer registration, WeBOC/PSW subscription, Import Policy check, shipping documents, Goods Declaration filing, duty payment, examination and release, explained by a licensed clearing agent.

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Duty & taxes calculation

How import duty and taxes are calculated in Pakistan: customs value (CIF), customs duty, additional customs duty, regulatory duty, sales tax and income tax, with a worked example and the factors that change your landed cost.

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Import documents checklist

Complete checklist of documents required for customs clearance in Pakistan, commercial invoice, packing list, B/L or AWB, certificate of origin, bank documents and the regulatory certificates each cargo type needs.

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WeBOC & PSW registration

How to register on Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and WeBOC as an importer or exporter, requirements, subscription steps, biometric verification, user roles and how clearing agents file on your behalf.

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HS code classification

How HS/PCT classification works in Pakistan customs, the 8-digit Pakistan Customs Tariff, how classification determines duty, taxes and import conditions, common disputes and how to classify correctly.

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Export procedure

Complete export procedure from Pakistan: exporter registration, e-Form and bank leg, export Goods Declaration, certificates of origin (GSP+, SAFTA, CPFTA), duty drawback and the Export Facilitation Scheme.

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Import Policy Order

What Pakistan's Import Policy Order covers: banned items, conditional imports, used machinery rules, and the product conditions (halal, standards, permits) importers must meet, explained by a licensed clearing agent.

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Avoiding demurrage & detention

What demurrage and container detention cost at Karachi port, how free days work, why containers get stuck, and the pre-arrival practices that keep import clearance fast and charge-free.

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Choosing a clearing agent

What to check before hiring a customs clearing agent in Pakistan: licence verification, regulated-cargo experience, WeBOC/PSW capability, transparent charges and the red flags that signal trouble.

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