Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Pakistan in 2026

The UK to Pakistan vehicle shipping corridor is driven heavily by the substantial British Pakistani community, many of whom import vehicles as part of relocation, gifting a car to family, or bringing back a personal vehicle after an extended stay abroad under Pakistan's specific import schemes. Vessels depart from Southampton, Felixstowe, or Tilbury and arrive at Port Qasim or Karachi Port, Pakistan's two principal container facilities.

Container shipping is the standard method for this route, as dedicated RORO services between the UK and Pakistan are not commercially available. Vehicles are almost always shipped in shared 40ft containers, with dedicated containers available for higher-value vehicles or where the importer wants full control over loading. Transit time from the UK to Karachi generally runs 24 to 32 days depending on the shipping line and whether the vessel transships through a Gulf hub such as Jebel Ali or Salalah.

Demand on this route often spikes ahead of Eid periods and during the summer, when diaspora families travel to Pakistan and coordinate vehicle shipments to coincide with visits, so booking several weeks ahead during these periods is strongly recommended to secure container space and favourable freight rates.

For a standard saloon or hatchback, shared container shipping from the UK to Karachi or Port Qasim typically costs between £1,300 and £1,850, covering freight and terminal handling charges. Larger vehicles, including SUVs and 4x4s which remain highly desirable in Pakistan, generally cost £1,600 to £2,200 due to the extra container space required.

A dedicated 20ft container for a single vehicle costs approximately £2,500 to £3,300 depending on the season and carrier. This is often the preferred option for higher-value vehicles or where the importer wants to include personal effects, spare parts, or accessories alongside the car, which is permitted under container shipping.

On the Pakistani side, importers should budget for port handling and wharfage charges (typically PKR 40,000-80,000, roughly £110-£220), a customs clearing agent fee (commonly £150-£300), and — critically — Pakistan's import duty and tax regime, which is amongst the more complex in the world and depends heavily on which import scheme the vehicle is entering under.

Pakistan restricts private used-car imports to specific regulatory schemes rather than allowing open commercial import of used vehicles by anyone. The three main routes are the Personal Baggage Scheme (for Pakistanis returning after living abroad for at least 700 days), the Transfer of Residence scheme (for people relocating permanently to Pakistan), and the Gift Scheme (allowing overseas Pakistanis to gift a vehicle to a relative in Pakistan). Each has specific eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and duty structures set by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and updated periodically.

Duty and taxes under these schemes are calculated using a fixed, engine-capacity-based depreciated value system rather than the actual purchase invoice, meaning the amount payable is largely predictable once you know the vehicle's age and engine size. Combined duty, sales tax, and other levies can range broadly from around 40% for smaller engine vehicles (under 800cc) up to over 100% of the assessed value for larger-engine petrol vehicles, with hybrid and smaller vehicles receiving preferential rates under current policy. Diesel vehicle imports are subject to additional restrictions under Pakistani policy and should be checked carefully before shipping.

Vehicle age limits also apply strictly: under most schemes, vehicles must generally be no more than three years old from the date of manufacture, with the exact cutoff reviewed periodically by the FBR. Because these rules and rates change with government budget announcements, we always recommend confirming the current scheme requirements and duty rates before finalising a purchase intended for import, as outdated information circulating online is a common source of costly mistakes.

The specific documents required depend on which scheme you're importing under, but common requirements across all routes include the original UK V5C logbook, a valid passport showing the required period of residence abroad (for Personal Baggage or Transfer of Residence schemes), the commercial invoice or bill of sale, and the original Bill of Lading. For the Gift Scheme, additional documentation proving the relationship between the sender and recipient, along with an affidavit, is typically required.

All imports must be cleared through a licensed customs clearing agent in Pakistan, who lodges the Goods Declaration with Pakistan Customs and manages the valuation and duty assessment process. Given the complexity of the scheme-based system, engaging an experienced local agent — ideally one who regularly handles UK-origin vehicles — makes a significant difference to how smoothly and quickly your vehicle clears Karachi or Port Qasim.

We recommend confirming your eligibility under your chosen scheme and gathering all supporting documents before your vehicle leaves the UK, since incomplete paperwork is the most common reason for delays and additional storage charges at Pakistani ports.

Given the regulatory complexity involved, we work closely with customers shipping to Pakistan to confirm which import scheme applies to their situation before committing to a shipment, since choosing the wrong scheme or misunderstanding the age limit can result in a vehicle being refused entry or facing punitive duty. We coordinate container bookings from Southampton, Felixstowe, and Tilbury to both Karachi Port and Port Qasim, and can put customers in touch with trusted, experienced customs clearing agents on the ground in Pakistan.

As with all our long-haul destinations, we provide a full landed-cost estimate — freight, both ports, and an approximate duty calculation based on your vehicle's engine size and age — before you book, so there are no unwelcome surprises once your container arrives.