Basic information
Outline of the system
Pakistan does not maintain an import licensing system within the meaning of Article 1.1 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures and, therefore, no licences are required for the import of importable items. However, according to the existing Import Policy specific authorizations from the Ministry of Commerce on certain imports are required, which are listed below:
Product coverage
a. Motor cars imported by disabled persons
b. Arms and ammunition
c. Goods imported by foreign air companies
d. Goods imported by oil-prospecting companies and service companies contracted by
oil-prospecting companies.
e. Goods imported by foreign construction companies of foreign contracting firms for various
projects in Pakistan.
f. Any other item for which authorization for import or export or import-cum-export or
export-cum-import is required
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The authorizations in the above-mentioned cases are issued to ensure safeguards for utilizing imports for specific purposes and in no way restrict or regulate the trade. Thus these are to be taken into account before treating the said authorization within the purview of the notification on import licensing.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Import-Export Procedure 1995, Import-Export Control Act 1950 and the Import Policy Order 1995.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Ministry of Commerce
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Specific authorizations
a. Motor cars imported by disabled persons as per recommendations of a high-powered
board;
b. Arms and ammunition by Members of the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies,
etc., (e.g. the Ministry of Commerce issues import authorization for the import of arms and ammunition on a commercial basis subject to monetary ceilings to category holders).
Import-cum-Export Authorization
c. Goods imported by foreign air companies.
d. Goods imported by oil-prospecting companies and service companies contracted by oil-prospecting companies.
e. Goods imported by foreign construction companies of foreign contracting firms for various projects in Pakistan.
f. Any other item for which authorization for import or export or import-cum-export or
export-cum-import is required.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
c. Goods imported by foreign air companies.
Provided that authorization under this category is subject to the condition that an indemnity
bond equal to the value of goods imported on a temporary basis will be submitted to the customs
authorities at the time of release of the consignment;
d. Goods imported by oil-prospecting companies and service companies contracted by
oil-prospecting companies.
Provided that authorization under this category is subject to the condition that an
indemnity bond equal to the value of goods imported on a temporary basis will be
submitted to the customs authorities at the time of release of the consignment.
e. Goods imported by foreign construction companies of foreign contracting firms for various
projects in Pakistan.
Provided that authorization under this category is subject to the condition that
100 per cent bank guarantee equivalent to the value of items are submitted to the customs
authorities at the time of release of the consignment ensuring that the goods will be
re-exported.
The Ministry of Commerce issues authorization on the basis of the following:
e. Import of items on a permanent basis by foreign construction companies and foreign contracting
firms (i) The items are either to be consumed on the project or become permanent fixtures of the
project; and (ii) The request has been endorsed by the concerned Government agency.
Import of items on a temporary basis by foreign construction companies and foreign contracting
firms (i) The items are neither consumed in the execution of a project nor can become permanent
fixtures of the project; and (ii) Abank guarantee equivalent to the value of the items is submitted to the customs authorities at the time of release of the consignment ensuring that the goods will be re-exported.
Permanent retention of goods imported on a temporary basis
(i) Items are importable; and (ii) Customs duty and sales tax leviable at the time of import are paid.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Authorizations of the Ministry of Commerce are issued on the letter-head of the Ministry of Commerce and are consecutively numbered and embossed. The Import Authorization where required and issued by the authority is valid during the currency of the Import Policy Order for the purpose of the opening of a letter of credit or import against any other mode of payment.