PAKISTAN · VERIFIED POLICY CLARIFICATION
Pakistan removes five-year age limit on commercial used-car imports
Published: 6 November 2026 · Ministry clarification: 30 October 2026
Commercial imports of eligible used vehicles are no longer subject to the former five-year age cap from 1 July 2026. Other import, safety, environmental and quality requirements still apply.
What changed?
The Ministry of Commerce clarified to the Federal Board of Revenue that the five-year vehicle-age restriction ceased to apply after 30 June 2026. The earlier S.R.O. 1895(I)/2025 had permitted commercial imports of used vehicles younger than five years until that date and provided for subsequent removal of the age limit. The October 2026 clarification confirmed the restriction's removal effective 1 July 2026.
| Policy element | Before 1 July 2026 | From 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial import vehicle-age limit | Less than five years old | Five-year restriction removed |
| Covered tariff headings | 8702, 8703, 8704 and 8711 | Same scope under the clarification |
| Safety, environmental and quality compliance | Required | Still required |
| Applicable customs/import charges | Applicable | Still applicable; check current notifications |
What does this mean for car buyers?
Commercial importers may consider a wider range of model years, potentially expanding buyer choice. However, an older vehicle is not automatically cheaper after freight, customs duties, regulatory charges, testing and compliance costs. Vehicle condition, spare-parts availability, maintenance history and resale prospects remain important.
What has not changed?
Removal of the age cap is not a blanket exemption from import policy, customs, environmental, safety, testing or certification rules. The reported memorandum concerns commercial imports; it should not be read as changing the separate gift or transfer-of-residence schemes. Importers should confirm the applicable PCT classification and current duty treatment before committing funds.
Important: This is a confirmation of a policy effective from July 2026, not a newly introduced November import subsidy or guaranteed vehicle-price reduction.
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