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Ever dreamed of driving your own foreign car in Pakistan? Maybe you’ve been desiring a sleek Toyota or perhaps a fuel-efficient hybrid for the busy city streets. Whatever your dream ride looks like, the thought of actually importing a car to Pakistan might seem like a distant fantasy complicated by taxes, paperwork, and endless rules. But here’s the truth: it’s not as hard as it seems once you know the steps.

Importing your dream automobile is more than just a luxury; it’s about getting a vehicle that truly suits your needs, whether it’s comfort, style, or performance.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process from checking if you’re eligible to understand the costs, so you can focus on what really matters. Let’s look at the car import policy in Pakistan and the available schemes.

Who Can Import a Car in Pakistan?

Anyone in Pakistan can import a new car; however, only overseas Pakistanis can bring in used vehicles. If you are a Pakistani living abroad, you are an adult for example, over 18 years old, you can ship in a car once in two years. This procedure involves specific import schemes, each of which has its own requirements.

How to Import Car in Pakistan

1. Personal Baggage Scheme

Under this program, if you have stayed out of Pakistan for 700 days in the last three years, you can import a car. That automobile must not be more than three years old. So, in 2024, you can only import cars made in 2020, 2021, or 2022. You will require such documents as a Goods Declaration, Export Certificate, and not to be more than 120 days old Bill of Lading.

2. Transfer of Residence Scheme

Under this scheme, you must have lived outside Pakistan for at least 180 days in the last seven months. The car must also be no older than three years. The documents required include a GD, Export Certificate, and Bill of Lading.

3. Gift Method

This method permits you to import a car and gift it to immediate family members, such as parents, siblings, or children (but not those under 18). This scheme also requires same documents as other two plans.

Special Scheme to Import a Car for Disabled Persons

Pakistan offers a special scheme for disabled persons who wish to import automobiles. Here are the conditions and procedures:
  1. A disabled person is exempt from duty and taxes on a car with an engine capacity of up to 1350cc.
  2. The automobile must be equipped with special devices to assist with the disability and is for personal use only.
  3. To import a car, the disabled person must have an import authorization certificate from the Ministry of Commerce, as outlined in SRO 6(1)/2009.
  4. A disabled person can only import one vehicle under this scheme.
  5. The automobile cannot be sold or transferred before five years from the date it arrives in Pakistan unless specific conditions outlined in the SRO are met.
This scheme ensures that people with disabilities have access to vehicles suited to their specific needs, allowing them greater mobility and independence.

Costs of Importing a Car to Pakistan

Import taxes and duties can make the process of importing a car to Pakistan expensive. For example, the following are vehicle import duty Pakistan rates based on engine size:

  1. Up to 800cc: PKR 1,443,000
  2. 801-1000cc: PKR 1,804,000
  3. 1001-1300cc: PKR 3,974,000
  4. 1301-1500cc: PKR 5,598,000
  5. 1501-1600cc: PKR 6,795,000
  6. 1601-1800cc (excluding jeeps): PKR 8,411,000
These fixed rates apply primarily to automobiles from Asian countries. Remember, the import tax on cars in Pakistan includes customs duties, sales tax, and withholding tax.

Challenges Faced by Imported Cars in Pakistan

Importing a car to Pakistan isn’t always a smooth ride. There are several restrictions that you should be aware of:

High Taxes and Duties

Taxes on imported automobiles can be as increased as 200% of the vehicle’s value, especially if the engine size is large. These high costs often discourage buyers, as it can make he automobile unaffordable.

Lack of Infrastructure and Support

Imported cars often require special maintenance and parts that aren’t widely available in Pakistan. This can lead to expensive repair costs or long wait times for parts, which lowers the value and convenience of owning an imported vehicle.

Competition With Local Manufacturers

Brands like Suzuki, Toyota, and Honda are well-established and offer affordable vehicles with great local support. These brands are highly trusted, which makes it tough for imported cars to gain market traction.

Benefits of Importing a Car to Pakistan

Despite the challenges, importing a car offers many advantages that appeal to automobile buyers:

Higher Quality and Features

Imported cars generally come with better safety features, more advanced technology, and higher engineering standards. They’re often more efficient and reliable, which improves your driving experience.

More Variety and Options

With so many models that would never find their way into a local market when shipped in a vehicle, you may just opt for electric, hybrid, or luxury if that is your cup of interest.

Better Resale Value

Imported cars manage to carry their value better than locally manufactured vehicles. This makes them an appealing investment, as they usually have a higher resale worth.

Top 5 Imported Cars in Pakistan

1. Toyota Vitz

A compact hatchback with a 1000cc engine, the Toyota Vitz is known for its fuel efficiency and reliability. It’s stylish, has a spacious interior, and is priced between PKR 1.8 million to PKR 2.5 million.

2. Toyota Aqua

This hybrid subcompact vehicle offers excellent fuel economy thanks to its 1500cc engine. The Toyota Aqua has a sleek design and is available for PKR 2 million to PKR 3 million.

3. Daihatsu Mira

With its small 660cc engine, the Daihatsu Mira is perfect for those who want a budget-friendly and eco-friendly car. Its price range is PKR 1 million to PKR 1.5 million.

4. Suzuki Every

This 800cc minivan is ideal for larger families or businesses needing space. It’s priced between PKR 1 million to PKR 1.8 million.

5. Honda N One

This stylish 660cc retro-inspired hatchback combines safety and performance with a price range of PKR 1.6 million to PKR 2 million.

Duty on Electric Cars in Pakistan

Electric vehicles are rapidly gaining popularity, and the duty on electric cars in Pakistan is relatively low. If you are an environmental lover, importing an electric vehicle can save your duties and help reduce carbon emissions that could have otherwise occurred from traditional vehicles.

Conclusion

Importing a car to Pakistan is an exciting but difficult procedure. There are policies, taxes, and many more benefits and challenges, which can be elaborated upon in detail, allowing one to come to an informed decision about the ownership of imported vehicles.