Used Car Import Age Limit Removed: Big Change for Commercial Imports
The Commerce Ministry has told FBR that the five-year age limit on commercial used vehicle imports no longer applies from 1 July 2026.
The used car import age limit of five years has been removed for commercial imports of cars and other vehicles in Pakistan, with effect from 1 July 2026. The Ministry of Commerce confirmed this to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in an office memorandum dated 30 October 2026. Importers must still meet import policy rules and the safety and environmental standards set by the Engineering Development Board (EDB).
Used car import age limit: what changed
| Item | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Age limit on commercial used imports | Not older than 5 years (until 30 June 2026) | Removed from 1 July 2026 |
| Vehicles covered (PCT headings) | 8702 (vans/buses), 8703 (cars), 8704 (goods vehicles), 8711 (motorcycles) | |
| Standards | Must meet safety and environmental standards of the Ministry of Industries and Production and EDB | |
| Basis | Decision approved by the ECC and Federal Cabinet; confirmed in Commerce Ministry memo of 30 October 2026 | |
Why the memo was needed
Commercial imports of used vehicles were opened last year with a five-year age cap that ran until 30 June 2026. After that date, FBR wrote to the Commerce Ministry on 23 October asking whether the cap still applied at customs. The ministry replied that the Federal Cabinet’s decision had allowed the limit to be dropped after June 2026, so it “stands removed” from 1 July 2026, according to the memo as reported by PakWheels and ProPakistani. No new maximum age has been announced.
What still applies to importers
- Standards: vehicles must meet the prescribed safety and environmental standards. Older vehicles that cannot meet them will not clear.
- Import policy: all other conditions of the import policy order remain in force.
- Duties: commercial used imports carry an extra regulatory duty. In the 2026-27 tariff plan unveiled in June, this was to fall from 40% to 30%, according to Business Recorder. Check the current customs tariff before ordering a vehicle.
What it means for car buyers and the auto industry
Removing the age cap widens the choice of imported used vehicles, especially older Japanese cars that cost less abroad. For buyers, landed prices will still depend mainly on duties and the rupee-dollar rate, not on the age rule alone. Local assemblers have opposed the wider opening because of its impact on sales of locally made cars. Used vehicle imports have already risen sharply since commercial imports were allowed; a report cited by ProPakistani put September 2026 imports at 2,276 vehicles, against 48 in May.
The exchange rate matters too; see our report on the rupee-dollar rate. For locally sold models, see the Kia Stonic price in Pakistan.
How to work out the cost of an imported used car
Removing the used car import age limit does not make cars cheaper by itself. The landed cost is built from several parts, and duties are usually the biggest:
- Purchase price abroad: the auction or dealer price in Japan, the UAE or elsewhere.
- Freight and insurance: shipping to Karachi or Port Qasim.
- Customs duty and regulatory duty: including the extra duty on commercial used imports.
- Sales tax and withholding tax: charged at the import stage.
- Clearing and port charges: paid to the clearing agent and terminal.
- Exchange rate: a weaker rupee raises every part of the bill.
Checklist before you import a used car
- Confirm the vehicle meets the safety and environmental standards set by EDB and the Ministry of Industries and Production.
- Check the correct PCT heading and the current duty rates with FBR or a licensed customs agent.
- Use a registered commercial importer if you are not importing under a personal scheme.
- Keep the purchase invoice, bill of lading and vehicle documents ready for customs clearance.
Because the used car import age limit is gone, older and cheaper vehicles can now be considered, but they still have to pass the standards check, so very old cars may not qualify in practice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I now import a car older than five years into Pakistan?
For commercial imports, the five-year age limit no longer applies from 1 July 2026, but the vehicle must still meet the prescribed safety and environmental standards and other import rules.
Does this change personal baggage or gift schemes?
The memo deals with commercial imports. Rules for overseas Pakistanis’ personal schemes are separate; check FBR before shipping a vehicle.
Has the duty on used car imports changed?
The memo does not change duties. The extra regulatory duty set in the tariff plan still applies.
Sources: Ministry of Commerce office memorandum of 30 October 2026, as reported by PakWheels, Samaa and ProPakistani (30–31 October 2026); Business Recorder (17 June 2026) on the tariff plan.
