Import Permit Application (Pakistan)

An Import 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 (Act XXXIX of 1950) is the foundational statute governing Pakistan's import and export control regime. Section 3 of the Act empowers the Federal Government to prohibit, restrict, or otherwise control the import and export of goods (or class of goods) by order published in the official gazette — the Import Policy Order issued each fiscal year is the primary exercise of this power. The Act applies to all goods entering Pakistan through any port of entry (seaport, airport, or land border crossing) and to all persons — individuals, companies, partnerships, and government entities — engaged in import activity.

The Import Policy Order (currently the Import Policy Order 2022, extended with amendments) classifies all importable goods into categories: the Negative List (goods whose import is absolutely prohibited — such as certain weapons, obscene materials, and goods from sanctioned entities), the Restricted List (goods that require a specific import permit or licence from the relevant authority), and the Free List (goods that may be imported without a specific permit, subject to payment of applicable customs duty under the Customs Act 1969 and the Sales Tax Act 1990). Goods on the Restricted List include pharmaceutical raw materials (requiring Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) import permit under the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act 2012), agricultural commodities during specified seasons (requiring Ministry of National Food Security and Research approval), defence-related items (requiring Ministry of Defence clearance), and radioactive or nuclear materials (requiring Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) authorisation under the Pakistan Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Ordinance 1990).

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), through the Pakistan Customs service operating under the Customs Act 1969, enforces import controls at all points of entry. Customs officers verify that goods declared on the Goods Declaration (GD) filed through the WeBOC (Web Based One Customs) system are consistent with the Import Permit, and that applicable customs duty, sales tax, income tax, and regulatory duties prescribed by SRO (Statutory Regulatory Order) are paid before release of the goods. The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Ministry of Commerce's Director General of Trade Policy maintain the Import Policy Order and process applications for permits in controlled categories.

The Import Permit Application in Pakistan is distinct from a Letter of Credit (LC) opened with a bank for import payment purposes (which is a financial instrument governed by the State Bank of Pakistan's Foreign Exchange Regulations), from a customs goods declaration filed through WeBOC (which is the customs entry document), and from a phytosanitary or quality certificate (which relates to the condition of the goods rather than permission to import them).

An Import Permit Application in Pakistan is required whenever an importer seeks to bring in goods classified under the Restricted List of the current Import Policy Order, or whenever a regulatory authority requires prior approval as a condition of customs clearance.

An Import Permit Application is needed when a pharmaceutical manufacturer or trader seeks to import active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), bulk drugs, or finished pharmaceutical products. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) requires a DRAP import permit under the DRAP Act 2012 for all pharmaceutical imports — the importer must hold a DRAP-registered product licence or a valid import licence before the permit can be issued. The permit application must be submitted through the DRAP online portal with supporting documents including the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) from the country of origin, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certificate, and product registration details.

An Import Permit Application is required when an agricultural commodity — wheat, sugar, rice, fertiliser, pesticides, or cotton — is to be imported during a season when the Ministry of National Food Security and Research or the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has restricted imports to protect domestic producers or stabilise prices. Import permits for such commodities are issued through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) or directly by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.

An Import Permit Application is needed when a company seeks to import chemicals listed under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), Schedule I, II, or III chemicals, which require clearance from the National Authority — Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) operating under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2000. Similarly, dual-use goods with potential defence applications require Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV) clearance under the Strategic Trade Control Rules 2021.

An Import Permit Application is required when a broadcaster, media company, or educational institution seeks to import video content, films, or media equipment subject to classification under the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance 2002 or the Central Board of Film Censors under the Motion Pictures Ordinance 1979.

An Import Permit Application is needed when a company imports used or reconditioned machinery, vehicles, or electronics, which are subject to specific conditions under the Import Policy Order — including age limits (typically not more than five years old for machinery and three years for vehicles), engineering certificates from the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) for industrial machinery, and inspection certificates from approved Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) agencies.

A valid Import Permit Application in Pakistan under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1950, the Import Policy Order, and the Customs Act 1969 must contain the following essential elements to be accepted by the Ministry of Commerce or the relevant regulatory authority.

Applicant Identity and Registration: Full legal name of the importing entity (individual, partnership, or company), CNIC number (for individuals) or SECP company registration number and NTN (for companies), registered business address, contact details, and the applicant's Import Export Registration (IER) number issued by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) under the Companies Ordinance 1984 and TDAP Regulations. All importers must register with TDAP before applying for an import permit.

Goods Description and HS Code: A precise description of the goods to be imported, the Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) heading and HS (Harmonised System) Code under the First Schedule to the Customs Act 1969, the quantity (in the applicable unit of measurement — kg, metric tons, pieces, litres, or cubic metres), the estimated CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value in the currency of purchase and in PKR at the prevailing State Bank of Pakistan exchange rate, and the country of origin and country of shipment.

Purpose of Import: A clear statement of the purpose for which the goods are being imported — whether for domestic sale, further processing, re-export, own use, or a specific project — and any relevant end-use commitment or undertaking required by the Ministry or regulatory authority.

Country of Origin and Supplier Details: The name and address of the foreign supplier, the country of manufacture, and any relevant trade agreements applicable — such as the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or the Pakistan-Malaysia FTA — which may entitle the importer to preferential duty rates under the Customs Act 1969 subject to production of a valid Certificate of Origin in the prescribed form.

Supporting Regulatory Clearances: Copies of all regulatory approvals or permits from relevant agencies — DRAP import permit for pharmaceuticals, NACWC clearance for controlled chemicals, PNRA licence for radioactive materials, Ministry of National Food Security approval for restricted agricultural goods, and SECDIV clearance for dual-use items. Without these clearances, the Ministry of Commerce will not issue the import permit.

Banking and Payment Documentation: Evidence of the SBP's Form I (Exchange Control Form) or the relevant SBP permission for remittance of foreign exchange for import payment, or confirmation that payment will be made through a Letter of Credit (LC) opened with an SBP-authorised bank. The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 (FER Act) and the SBP's Exchange Regulations Manual require prior SBP approval for import payments in foreign currency above specified thresholds.

Customs Duty and Tax Estimation: An estimate of the applicable customs duty rate (under the First Schedule to the Customs Act 1969), sales tax at 17% (or reduced rate under the Sixth Schedule to the Sales Tax Act 1990), income tax under the Fifth Schedule to the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 (advance tax on imports under Section 148), and any applicable regulatory duty or additional customs duty under the relevant SRO.

Declaration and Signature: A sworn declaration by the authorised signatory of the importing entity that all information provided is true, that the goods will be used only for the stated purpose, and that the importer accepts the conditions attached to the import permit. The declaration must be signed by the proprietor (for sole proprietorship), a partner (for partnerships), or the Chief Executive or Company Secretary (for companies incorporated under the Companies Act 2017).

Forms-legal.com provides this Import Permit Application (Pakistan) as a starting document for importers navigating Pakistan's import control framework. Importers should consult a qualified Customs Agent (licensed by the Pakistan Customs under the Customs Act 1969) or a trade lawyer enrolled at the relevant provincial Bar Council for guidance on the specific requirements of the Ministry of Commerce or relevant regulatory authority for the category of goods being imported.