Export Permit Application (Pakistan)

An Export Permit Application in Pakistan captures the information the relevant authority needs for the matter it concerns and creates a dated written record of what was submitted.

The Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1950 is the principal statute governing Pakistan's export licensing framework. Section 3 of the Act empowers the Federal Government to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the import or export of any goods by order published in the Official Gazette. The Export Policy Order, most recently revised as the Export Policy Order 2022, categorizes goods into three schedules: Schedule I (freely exportable goods requiring no permit), Schedule II (goods requiring prior permission from the Ministry of Commerce or designated authority), and Schedule III (goods whose export is absolutely prohibited). Applicants must consult the applicable Export Policy Order to determine whether their goods fall under Schedule II and thus require an Export Permit Application before shipment.

The Export Permit Application Pakistan is submitted to TDAP, which functions under the Ministry of Commerce and was established under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Act 2006. TDAP evaluates applications for export permits on merits including the nature of the goods, the identity of the foreign buyer, the destination country's import regulations, and Pakistan's bilateral trade agreements and obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade in Goods. For strategic goods — including dual-use items, chemicals, and defence-related materials — the Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reviews applications under the Export Control on Goods, Technologies, Material and Equipment Related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery Systems Act 2004 (the WMD Export Control Act).

Sector-specific export permits are administered by designated authorities: the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) under the Drug Act 1976 for pharmaceutical exports; the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and provincial agriculture departments for seed and plant material exports under the Seed Act 1976; the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for nuclear materials under the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2001; and the Wildlife Management Board for specimens under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which Pakistan ratified in 1976.

The Export Permit Application Pakistan must be completed in the prescribed format, supported by mandatory documentary annexures including a copy of the exporter's National Tax Number (NTN) certificate issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Sales Tax Registration Certificate, the applicant's CNIC issued by NADRA, the Proforma Invoice from the foreign buyer, and (for first-time applicants) the firm's registration certificate from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) or the relevant provincial registrar of firms under the Partnership Act 1932. The application is submitted online through TDAP's Electronic Export Permit System or in hard copy at TDAP regional offices in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.

An Export Permit Application in Pakistan is required whenever a Pakistani exporter intends to ship goods that fall under Schedule II of the Export Policy Order — goods whose export is subject to prior permission from the Ministry of Commerce or a designated regulatory authority.

An Export Permit Application is needed when a Pakistani textile manufacturer or trader wishes to export yarn, fabric, or garments subject to any volume or destination-based restriction notified by the Ministry of Commerce. While most textile exports from Pakistan are freely exportable under Schedule I, periodic amendments to the Export Policy Order may impose temporary restrictions on specific categories — exporters must verify the current policy before shipment.

An Export Permit Application is required when a Pakistani pharmaceutical company regulated by DRAP intends to export finished pharmaceutical products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), or controlled substances. DRAP issues export authorizations under the Drug Act 1976, and each export consignment of a controlled drug must be accompanied by a DRAP export permit.

An Export Permit Application is needed when a Pakistani company wishes to export chemical precursors that appear on the lists maintained by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997. The ANF coordinates with the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and requires a Pre-Export Notification (PEN) for each shipment of listed chemicals to confirm they will not be diverted for illicit drug manufacture.

An Export Permit Application is required when a Pakistani exporter wishes to export antiques, archaeological artifacts, or cultural heritage objects. The Antiquities Act 1975 administered by the Department of Archaeology and Museums prohibits export of antiquities without prior permission. Any object that appears to be more than 100 years old requires a clearance certificate before TDAP will issue an export permit.

An Export Permit Application is needed when a Pakistani company wishes to export wildlife specimens, live animals, plants, or products derived from protected species. Pakistan's Wildlife Management Board, in coordination with CITES Management Authority, issues export permits for Appendix I, II, and III species in accordance with CITES Articles III, IV, and V respectively.

An Export Permit Application is required when a Pakistani defence contractor or manufacturer wishes to export arms, ammunition, military equipment, or dual-use goods that appear on the Control List maintained by SECDIV under the WMD Export Control Act 2004. SECDIV evaluates each application against Pakistan's international non-proliferation commitments and may consult the National Command Authority (NCA) for sensitive items.

A valid Export Permit Application in Pakistan under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1950 and the Export Policy Order must contain the following essential elements to be accepted and processed by TDAP or the designated regulatory authority.

Exporter Identification: Full legal name of the exporting entity exactly as registered with SECP (for companies) or the provincial registrar (for firms), the National Tax Number (NTN) issued by FBR, the Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN) where applicable, and the NADRA CNIC number of the authorized signatory. TDAP's Electronic Export Permit System validates the NTN against FBR's Active Taxpayer List (ATL) before processing any application.

Goods Description: Precise description of the goods proposed for export, including the HS Code (Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System code) under Pakistan Customs Tariff, the technical specifications, quantity in applicable units (metric tonnes, kilograms, litres, pieces), and the total FOB (Free on Board) value in US dollars or other agreed currency. The HS Code must match the goods description to avoid rejection by Pakistan Customs under the Customs Act 1969 at the time of shipment.

Buyer and Destination Details: Full name and address of the foreign buyer, the destination country, and the country of ultimate end-use. For strategic goods, end-user certificates signed by the foreign government or an authorized end-user may be required by SECDIV. The destination country must not be subject to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions or bilateral trade embargoes applicable to Pakistan.

Shipment Details: Proposed mode of shipment (sea, air, road, or postal), port of loading (Karachi Port, Port Qasim, or Gwadar Port for sea; JIAP Karachi, Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, or Islamabad International Airport for air), intended date of shipment, and proposed port of discharge in the destination country.

Proforma Invoice: A Proforma Invoice signed by both the Pakistani exporter and the foreign buyer specifying the goods, quantity, unit price, total value, currency, payment terms (e.g. Letter of Credit (LC) confirmed by a scheduled bank under the Banking Companies Ordinance 1962), and delivery terms under Incoterms 2020 rules.

Declaration and Undertaking: A signed declaration by the authorized signatory confirming that the information in the application is true and correct, that the goods will be exported to the stated buyer and destination, that the export will be conducted through a designated banking channel in compliance with the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Foreign Exchange Manual, and that the exporter undertakes to repatriate export proceeds within the time prescribed by SBP regulations.

Supporting Documents: Depending on the category of goods, additional documents may be required: DRAP export authorization for pharmaceuticals; ANF certificate for chemical precursors; PAEC clearance for nuclear-related materials; Department of Archaeology and Museums clearance for antiques; CITES export permit for wildlife specimens. Forms-legal.com provides this Export Permit Application template as a practical guide. Exporters should verify current requirements with TDAP, their sector regulator, and the Ministry of Commerce before submission, as the Export Policy Order and prescribed application forms are updated annually.

Processing Fees: The application must be accompanied by the prescribed fee payable to TDAP by pay order or bank draft drawn on a scheduled bank. The fee schedule is published by TDAP and varies by the nature of the goods and the value of the consignment. Online applications submitted through TDAP's Electronic Export Permit System may pay fees through the Government's 1-Link payment gateway.

Under Pakistani law, the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 is the supreme law. The Contract Act 1872 governs contractual obligations. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) administers tax under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. The High Courts have original and appellate jurisdiction. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) handles identity documentation. The Federal Shariat Court reviews laws for Islamic compliance.