Pakistan Bans Imports of Non-essential Items

According to CCTV news, on the 19th local time, Pakistani Information Minister Aurangzeb announced at a press conference in Islamabad that the government has banned the import of all non-essential items under an "emergency economic plan". 

Aurangzeb said the government's current focus is on exports, so it has to reduce its dependence on imported products. She said that under the government's economic plan, employment opportunities in Pakistan will increase. The impact of the measures will be about $6 billion, Aurangzeb added.

Over the past few weeks, Pakistan's import bill has been rising, its current account deficit has been widening and its foreign exchange reserves have been dwindling. 19, Pakistan's currency, the rupee, plunged to a record low of 200 against the dollar.

Non-essential items that are banned from import include: automobiles, mobile phones, household appliances, fruit and dried fruit (except Afghanistan), pottery, personal weapons and ammunition, shoes, lighting equipment (except energy-saving equipment), headphones and speakers, sauces, doors and windows, travel bags and suitcases, sanitary ware, Fish and Frozen Fish, Carpets (except Afghanistan), Preserved Fruit, Tissue Paper, Furniture, Shampoo, Candy, Luxury Mattresses and Sleeping Bags, Jams and Jelly, Corn Flakes, Cosmetics, Heaters and Blowers, Sunglasses, Kitchen Appliances, Soft Drinks, Freezers Meat, juice, pasta, etc., ice cream, cigarettes, shaving supplies, luxury leather clothing, musical instruments, hair products (such as hair dryers), chocolate, etc.

List of bans items for import：

On May 23, HMM has issued a relevant emergency announcement banning the import of luxury or non-essential goods into Pakistan. And it is effective immediately. Please review the following and make sure to check if the goods are banned before submitting your booking request.

If the goods are only transiting through Pakistan, the above prohibited goods are acceptable, but need to be indicated on the bill of lading and at the consignee's own risk.

Here to remind, recent shipments to Pakistan shippers freight forwarders, pay attention to trade risk control, before booking, please confirm whether the import of goods prohibited in Pakistan. To avoid unnecessary losses.