Shipping a Car to Karachi from the UK: Complete Pakistan Guide

Karachi is Pakistan's largest city and its commercial capital, with a population of over 17 million people and the country's two main deepwater ports — Karachi Port and Port Qasim. It is the natural entry point for any vehicle imported into Pakistan, whether the destination is Karachi itself, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad or anywhere else in the country.

The UK to Karachi corridor is busy for several reasons. The British Pakistani diaspora is one of the largest in the world, and many families ship a personal car back to relatives during a relocation or a return move. Pakistan also has a thriving market for British-built classics — Land Rover Defenders, Jaguar XJs and Mini Coopers all enjoy strong followings in Karachi and Islamabad. Right-hand-drive UK vehicles are directly compatible because Pakistan drives on the left, removing the need for any steering conversion.

The Ship Cars operates monthly container shipping services from Southampton and Felixstowe to Karachi. RORO shipping is available less frequently on this route, so most customers ship in shared or dedicated containers.

Vehicle imports to Pakistan are regulated by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Engineering Development Board. The headline rule is that Pakistan does not allow open commercial import of used vehicles by the general public. Instead, used cars enter the country through three controlled schemes:

Personal Baggage Scheme — Available to Pakistani nationals who have lived abroad for at least 700 days in the previous three years. One vehicle can be imported per passport every two years. The vehicle must be in the importer's name and registered abroad before shipping.

Transfer of Residence Scheme — Available to Pakistanis returning permanently after at least 700 days abroad. Slightly more generous in terms of duty calculation than the baggage scheme.

Gift Scheme — A close relative living abroad can gift a vehicle to a Pakistani resident, subject to similar conditions.

Vehicle age limits — Cars and SUVs must be no more than 3 years old at the time of shipment. Pickups and 4x4 commercials may be up to 5 years old. Genuine classic and antique vehicles over 30 years old qualify for separate treatment.

Documentation required — Original V5C, Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, importer's passport with arrival/departure stamps, NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) and Goods Declaration. The Ship Cars works with FBR-registered clearing agents in Karachi to assemble the full file.

Shared container from Southampton or Felixstowe to Karachi
• Indicative cost: £1,700 to £2,900 per vehicle
• Transit time: 28 to 35 days via the Suez Canal
• The standard option for cars shipped under the baggage scheme

Dedicated 20ft container
• Indicative cost: £2,800 to £4,400
• Transit time: 28 to 35 days
• Recommended for higher-value cars and any shipment with personal effects

Pakistan landed cost components
• Customs duty and regulatory duty combined: typically 50% to 100% of vehicle value
• Sales tax: 18% on (CIF + duty)
• Federal excise duty: 2.5% to 7% depending on engine size
• Withholding tax: variable based on declared value
• Port handling and clearance: PKR 50,000 to 150,000
• Registration fees with the Excise and Taxation Department: PKR 25,000 to 80,000

Duties are calculated on a fixed depreciated value table published by the FBR rather than the actual purchase price. This system is unusual and worth understanding before you commit. Use our cost calculator for shipping costs and refer to the latest FBR notification for duty rates.

Karachi Port and Port Qasim handle nearly all of Pakistan's vehicle imports. The clearance process is paperwork-intensive but predictable when handled by an experienced agent.

1. Goods Declaration filing — Within 10 days of the vessel arriving, the clearing agent files a Goods Declaration through the WeBOC system.
2. Examination — Customs physically examines the vehicle, comparing chassis number, engine number, model year and condition against the declaration.
3. Duty assessment — The FBR depreciated value table is applied to calculate customs duty, regulatory duty, sales tax, federal excise and withholding tax.
4. Payment — Duties must be paid before the delivery order is released. We pay on your behalf and bill back at the actual cost.
5. Release and delivery — The vehicle is released from the bonded yard and delivered to your nominated address in Karachi or trucked onwards to Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi or beyond.
6. Registration — At the Excise and Taxation Department in your province, the vehicle is registered and Pakistani plates are issued.

Clearance usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, so plan for a total door-to-door timeline of 6 to 9 weeks from UK collection.

- Confirm eligibility before booking — Without the right number of overseas days on your passport you will not be permitted to import under the baggage scheme. The Ship Cars asks for evidence at the quote stage to avoid wasted shipments.
• Match the age limit precisely — A car that is 36 months old at shipment is fine; a car that is 38 months old will be refused at clearance.
• Insure end to end — Pakistan is not a place to ship a vehicle without comprehensive marine transit insurance. Use agreed value and confirm cover until the keys are handed over in Karachi.
• Use one experienced agent — A WeBOC-registered clearing agent with vehicle experience saves weeks. The Ship Cars partners with two long-standing agents at Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
• Be alert to brokers offering shortcuts — Pakistani import duty cannot be negotiated and any agent who promises to reduce it through unofficial channels should be avoided. Read our guide on shipping scams.

Ready to start? You can request a free quote in two minutes or contact our team to discuss your eligibility under the baggage or transfer of residence scheme.