The federal government has approved major changes to the vehicle import policy, banning the import of cars under the personal baggage scheme and tightening rules for overseas Pakistanis.
The key development is that cars can now only be imported under the Transfer of Residence and Gift schemes, following amendments approved in the Import Policy Order 2022.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the personal baggage route for importing vehicles from abroad has been completely withdrawn as part of the revised policy.
Under the new rules, imported vehicles cannot be transferred or sold for at least one year after clearance, aimed at discouraging commercial misuse of concessionary schemes.
The government has also extended the allowable period for importing vehicles, increasing the timeframe from 700 days to 850 days, providing additional flexibility to eligible overseas Pakistanis.
In another significant change, minimum safety and environmental standards have been made mandatory for the import of used vehicles, aligning the policy with road safety and environmental considerations.
The notification further states that vehicles imported under the Transfer of Residence scheme must originate from the same country where the overseas Pakistani has been residing, tightening eligibility criteria and preventing misuse.
Officials said the amendments are intended to regulate vehicle imports more effectively, curb speculative activity, and ensure better compliance with safety, environmental, and residency requirements.
The revised policy has come into effect following the issuance of the formal notification by the Ministry of Commerce.