Pakistan Used Car Import Policy 2026 is important for overseas Pakistanis, car importers, and buyers who want to understand the latest vehicle import rules. The updated policy affects eligibility requirements, personal import schemes, and the conditions buyers should check before purchasing an imported vehicle.
Pakistan’s used car import policy has undergone important changes in 2026, affecting overseas Pakistanis, car importers, dealers, and people planning to buy imported vehicles. The government has tightened conditions for personal vehicle imports while maintaining separate rules for commercial imports.
One of the biggest changes is the abolition of the Personal Baggage Scheme for used vehicles. The Gift Scheme and Transfer of Residence Scheme remain available under revised conditions. Anyone planning to import or purchase a used car should understand the rules before making a financial commitment.
What Has Changed in Pakistan’s Used Car Import Policy 2026?
The Ministry of Commerce amended the Import Policy Order, 2022, through S.R.O. 61(I)/2026, dated January 15, 2026. The change removed the Personal Baggage Scheme for used vehicle imports.
The government explained that the scheme had been misused for commercial purposes. The revised framework aims to make personal import facilities available to genuine beneficiaries while reducing misuse.
According to the Ministry of Commerce’s explanation reported in August 2026, the Gift and Transfer of Residence schemes remain available, but applicants must meet stricter eligibility and vehicle-related conditions.
Who Can Import a Used Car into Pakistan?
Pakistani nationals living abroad, including eligible dual nationals, may qualify to import or gift a used vehicle under the remaining personal schemes, provided they meet the applicable requirements.
However, eligibility is not automatic. Applicants should check their overseas residence history, previous vehicle imports, required documents, vehicle eligibility, and payment of applicable duties and taxes.
The main personal import routes are:
1. Gift Scheme
Under the Gift Scheme, an eligible overseas Pakistani can send a vehicle as a gift to a qualifying family member who normally resides in Pakistan. The importer and recipient must satisfy the applicable rules and documentation requirements.
2. Transfer of Residence Scheme
This scheme is intended for an eligible overseas Pakistani returning to Pakistan and transferring their residence. The applicant must meet the relevant residence and vehicle import conditions.
3. Personal Baggage Scheme
The Personal Baggage Scheme for used vehicle imports was abolished through S.R.O. 61(I)/2026. Applicants should not rely on older online guides that still list it as an available option.
Important Eligibility Rules for Overseas Pakistanis
The revised rules introduced several important conditions for personal vehicle imports.
According to the Ministry of Commerce’s explanation presented to the National Assembly in August 2026:
- The minimum stay-abroad requirement was increased to three years, with at least 850 cumulative days of stay during that period.
- The interval between successive vehicle imports under the relevant schemes was increased to three years, with the revised requirement expressed as 850 days.
- Vehicles imported under the Gift and Transfer of Residence schemes are subject to a one-year restriction on transfer or sale.
- Minimum safety, environmental, and regulatory standards applicable to commercial used vehicle imports may also apply to vehicles imported under the retained personal schemes.
- The same-country-of-residence condition applies to the Transfer of Residence Scheme.
These conditions can affect whether an applicant qualifies and whether an imported vehicle can be sold or transferred soon after arrival. Applicants should verify the exact wording of the applicable notification and their individual circumstances with Pakistan Customs before shipping a vehicle.
What Are the Vehicle Age Requirements?
Vehicle age limits depend on the applicable import route and the current Import Policy Order. Older government guidance commonly states a limit of three years for cars and five years for other vehicles under personal schemes, but readers should not rely on an old webpage alone when planning a 2026 import.
Commercial imports follow a separate policy framework. The federal government announced changes allowing commercial imports of used vehicles subject to prescribed safety and environmental standards, with additional regulatory duties and transitional age-related conditions.
Because the rules for personal and commercial imports are different, buyers should confirm the applicable vehicle age limit and requirements for their specific import route before purchasing or shipping a vehicle.
Duties, Taxes and Other Import Costs
Importing a used car involves more than the vehicle’s purchase price. Depending on the import route and vehicle, costs may include customs duties, regulatory duties, sales tax, other applicable taxes, shipping, insurance, port charges, customs clearance, and registration expenses.
The amount payable can vary according to engine capacity, vehicle type, customs valuation, applicable exemptions, and the rules in force when the vehicle is cleared.
There is no general permission to import vehicles into Pakistan without paying applicable duties and taxes. Anyone calculating the cost of an import should obtain an updated assessment from Pakistan Customs or a qualified customs agent rather than relying on an old online estimate.
How Could the New Rules Affect Car Buyers?
The policy changes may affect the availability, pricing, and resale of imported used vehicles.
First, tighter personal eligibility requirements may make it more difficult for some people to import a vehicle through an overseas relative. Second, the one-year transfer restriction can affect buyers who want to purchase a newly imported vehicle and immediately register it in their own name.
Buyers should be especially careful when purchasing a vehicle imported under the Gift or Transfer of Residence scheme. Before paying, they should verify the import documents, customs clearance, registration record, identity of the registered owner, and whether any transfer restriction remains in force.
Commercial importers operate under a separate framework, so changes in commercial imports may also affect vehicle supply and competition in the local market. However, the final effect on prices will depend on exchange rates, duties, demand, shipping costs, and the number of vehicles entering the market.
Checklist Before Importing or Buying a Used Car
Before making a decision, follow these practical steps:
- Confirm whether you qualify for the Gift or Transfer of Residence Scheme.
- Check the current vehicle age, safety, and environmental requirements.
- Verify the latest customs duties and taxes for the exact vehicle.
- Confirm that the required overseas residence period and import interval have been met.
- Check whether the vehicle is subject to the one-year transfer restriction.
- Review the original import documents and customs clearance records.
- Confirm registration and ownership-transfer eligibility with the relevant provincial Excise and Taxation Department.
- Avoid making a payment until the vehicle’s legal status has been verified.
Where Can You Verify the Official Rules?
The safest approach is to consult the Ministry of Commerce for import policy notifications and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for customs duties and clearance procedures. Provincial Excise and Taxation Departments can provide information about vehicle registration and ownership transfers.
Useful official resources include:
Ministry of Commerce: https://www.commerce.gov.pk/
Federal Board of Revenue: https://www.fbr.gov.pk/
Before shipping a vehicle or paying a seller, confirm that the relevant notification is current. Older government guidance pages may not yet reflect every policy amendment.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s Used Car Import Policy 2026 has introduced important changes for overseas Pakistanis and the wider automobile market. The Personal Baggage Scheme for used vehicles has been abolished, while the Gift and Transfer of Residence schemes continue under tighter conditions.
For buyers, the most important steps are to confirm eligibility, calculate duties and taxes accurately, review vehicle documents, and check whether ownership can legally be transferred. Understanding the current rules before making a purchase can help prevent unexpected expenses and legal complications.
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