Countries · PK
Pakistan: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 113 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Pakistan.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Pakistan in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Pakistan may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
113 entries on the official lists name Pakistan — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 61 | 61 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 16 | 16 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 14 | 14 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 13 | 13 | — | — |
| UN Security Council Consolidated List | 9 | 9 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Pakistan recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Pakistan: logistics and trade
CPEC transit country / Textile exporter
Pakistan (PK) lies in South Asia on the Arabian Sea and acts as the CPEC transit country between western China, Central Asia and the Gulf, as well as a major exporter of textiles and rice. Imports are subject to 18 percent sales tax plus customs duty, additional customs duty and advance taxes; clearance runs electronically through WeBOC and the FBR's Pakistan Single Window. Almost all seaborne trade moves through Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar; air cargo runs via Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB), complemented by dry ports such as Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot. Key corridors are the N-5 Karachi–Peshawar, motorways M-1/M-2, the Karakoram Highway (N-35) to China and the ML-1 main rail line (CPEC upgrade). Main exports are textiles, rice, leather goods and sporting goods; imports centre on petroleum products, machinery and chemicals, with the USA, China, the EU and the Gulf states as leading partners. EU market access runs via GSP+; there is no FTA with Switzerland/EFTA.
- Capital
- Islamabad
- Population
- 241,499,431
- Area
- 881,913 km²
- Currency
- Pakistani Rupee
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- South Asia
- Economic area
- SAFTA / CPFTA / EU GSP+
- Religions
- Islam
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Road · Rail · Air
- Current situation
- Hormuz crisis: Karachi and Port Qasim benefit as diversion and transshipment hubs — Karachi with an eight-year high in ship calls (over 2000 in FY 2025/26). No war surcharges on Pakistan routes according to the government; storage fee waivers of 25-50 percent at Karachi terminals; on Gulf routes, however, war-risk surcharges of up to approx. 4000 USD/TEU. Finance Act 2026 (from 1.7.2026): e-invoicing obligation and expanded Faceless Customs; Sales Tax remains 18 percent. No new transport strike verified. (As of 2026-07-28)
- Seasonal conditions
- Summer monsoon (July to September) with flood risk (severe floods 2022); extreme summer heat in the south; winter fog in the Indus plain affects road and air traffic.
Main seaports
- Karachi
Karachi (PK KHI): Pakistan's leading port with KICT and PICT, ~3.3M TEU capacity. Containers, bulk, oil; rail/road hinterland and Afghan transit trade.
- Gwadar
Gwadar (PK GWD): Pakistan's CPEC deep-water port, container-capable but lightly used. Karachi and Port Qasim are the reliable alternatives.
- Muhamamad Bin Qasim
Port Qasim (PK BQM): Pakistan's second-largest port near Karachi with container, oil, chemical and ore/coal terminals. Around 35% of national sea cargo.
Main cargo airports
- Jinnah International AirportKHI
Jinnah International Airport (KHI), Karachi: Pakistan's busiest cargo gateway, runway upgraded to Cat 4F (2026), Emirates SkyCargo hub, Port Qasim links.
- Allama Iqbal International AirportLHE
Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE), Lahore: ~114,882 t air cargo/year, Punjab textile exports, YTO Cargo freighter, Pakistan Customs, USD 1.5bn expansion.
- Islamabad International AirportISB
Islamabad International Airport (ISB): Pakistan's largest airport by cargo volume, 70,455 tonnes handled in 2024/25, new SF Cargo route, near Rawalpindi.
Road corridors
- N-5 (Karachi-Peshawar)
- Karakoram Highway N-35 to China (CPEC)
- Motorways M-1/M-2
Rail corridors
- Main Line ML-1 Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar (CPEC expansion)
- Main Line ML-2
- Main Line ML-3
Inland ports
- Dry Port Lahore
- Dry Port Faisalabad
- Dry Port Sialkot
- Dry Port Islamabad/Rawalpindi
- Dry Port Multan
Main trade lanes
- Pakistan-China
- Pakistan-EU
- Pakistan-USA
- Pakistan-Gulf states (UAE/Saudi Arabia)
Customs and import
Customs authority Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) - Pakistan CustomsOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic processing via WeBOC (Web-Based One Customs) and the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) of the FBR / Pakistan Customs; imports by electronic Goods Declaration.
- Export customs system
- Exports are also processed via WeBOC and the Pakistan Single Window (PSW); electronic Export Goods Declaration with Pakistan Customs.
- Import VAT
- Sales Tax (GST) standard rate 18 percent on the import value (since 2023); plus Additional Customs Duty and tax advance payments on import (FBR).
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- CPFTA phase II with China (Certificate of Origin), SAFTA, FTA with Malaysia and Sri Lanka; EU market access via GSP+ (REX). No FTA with Switzerland/EFTA.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Prohibited, among others: alcohol, pork, weapons, drugs, offensive media; licences/bans according to the Import Policy Order. Halal requirements for food.
Typical import documents
- Goods Declaration (WeBOC/PSW)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- Certificate of origin
- Letter of Credit / bank documents
Typical export documents
- Export Goods Declaration (WeBOC/PSW)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- Certificate of origin (Form E/REX)
- E-Form (bank export proof)
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- High
- Customs delays
- High
- Port congestion
- Medium to high
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium to high
- E-commerce relevance
- Medium
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Petroleum products
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Chemicals
- Electronics
Top export goods
- Textiles
- Rice
- Leather goods
- Sporting goods
Typical cargo
- Textiles and clothing
- Rice and agricultural products
- Leather goods
- Sporting goods
- Surgical instruments
- Petroleum products (import)
- Machinery (import)
Upcoming public holidays
- Allama Iqbal DayMon, 9 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
- Quaid-e-Azam Day / ChristmasFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- Kashmir DayFri, 5 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
- Pakistan DayTue, 23 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
- Labour DaySat, 1 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Youm-e-TakbeerFri, 28 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Independence DaySat, 14 Aug 2027 · businesses closed
- Allama Iqbal DayTue, 9 Nov 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- Saudi Arabia Establishes 14-Nation Alliance for the Red Sea3 Aug 2026
Saudi Arabia leads a 14-nation alliance to protect the Red Sea. In the short term, little is changing for shipping companies: the mission is still in the build-up phase.
- New Port Fees in the USA Could Shift Trade Flows14 Jul 2026
Planned US port fees for ships built in China could alter trade flows. According to a DIW analysis, some exporting countries could benefit while others lose market share.
Logistics questions
What is the import sales tax in Pakistan?
The standard sales tax (GST) rate is 18 percent and has applied to imports since February 2023. Customs duty, additional customs duty and advance taxes are added; some goods are reduced-rated or exempt.
Which system is used for customs clearance?
Clearance is handled electronically through WeBOC (Web-Based One Customs) and the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) of the FBR / Pakistan Customs via an electronic goods declaration.
Is there a free trade agreement with Switzerland or EFTA?
No, there is no free trade agreement with Switzerland or EFTA. However, EU imports from Pakistan benefit from the GSP+ preference scheme, and Pakistan has FTAs with China (CPFTA), Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Which seaports and airports matter for cargo?
The key seaports are Karachi Port, Port Qasim and the CPEC port of Gwadar, handling almost all foreign trade. Air cargo runs mainly through Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB).
Which goods are prohibited or restricted?
Prohibited items include alcohol, pork, weapons, drugs and offensive media. Food is subject to halal requirements; further licensing and import restrictions follow from the Import Policy Order.
What role does the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) play?
CPEC links Gwadar port via roads (Karakoram Highway) and the ML-1 railway to western China and drives the expansion of ports, roads, rail and energy. This positions Pakistan as a transit hub.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 28 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.