Commercial importers in Pakistan can now bring in used vehicles older than five years. The Ministry of Commerce has confirmed that the five-year age limit no longer applies from 1 July 2026, in line with the plan the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved in September 2025.
The age cap has gone, but the duty and the standards have not. Here is what changed, which vehicles it covers and what importers still have to pay and meet.
What changed
| 1 | Until 30 June 2026: commercial imports of used vehicles were allowed only for vehicles not older than five years, under Ministry of Commerce SRO 1895 of 30 September 2025, which amended the Import Policy Order 2022. |
|---|---|
| 2 | From 1 July 2026: there is no age limit on commercial imports of used vehicles. |
| 3 | Confirmation: at the end of October 2026, the Ministry of Commerce confirmed to the FBR, in reply to its query, that the five-year cap stands removed with effect from 1 July 2026, in line with the ECC and Federal Cabinet decision. |
This was always part of the plan. When the ECC opened commercial used-vehicle imports in September 2025, it set the five-year cap only until 30 June 2026, after which the age limit was to stand removed.
Which vehicles it covers
| 1 | Cars (PCT heading 8703) |
|---|---|
| 2 | Buses and vans, meaning people carriers with 10 or more seats (8702) |
| 3 | Goods vehicles (8704) |
| 4 | Motorcycles (8711) |
The change applies to commercial imports only. Personal routes such as gift and transfer of residence schemes have their own rules, so check the current conditions for those separately.
What you will still pay
Removing the age limit does not remove the duty. Under FBR SRO 1065(I)/2026, dated 30 June 2026, commercial imports of used vehicles carry a regulatory duty of 30% for 2026-27, down from 40% in 2025-26 under SRO 1898(I)/2025, which it supersedes.
This regulatory duty is charged in addition to the normal customs duties and taxes on an imported vehicle, so the 30% figure is not the full tax bill on any car.
The government plan approved by the ECC is to cut this regulatory duty by 10 percentage points each year until it reaches zero by 2029-30. The 2026-27 rate of 30% matches that plan. Later steps are planned but have not yet been notified.
| Fiscal year | Regulatory duty on commercial used imports | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 40% | Applied (SRO 1898(I)/2025, now superseded) |
| 2026-27 | 30% | In force (SRO 1065(I)/2026) |
| 2027-28 | 20%* | Planned, not yet notified |
| 2028-29 | 10%* | Planned, not yet notified |
| 2029-30 | 0%* | Planned, not yet notified |
*Planned under the government's duty path. Future rates apply only once notified by the FBR.
What still applies
| 1 | Environmental, safety, quality, testing and certification standards, set through the Engineering Development Board under the Ministry of Industries and Production. |
|---|---|
| 2 | All other requirements of the Import Policy Order. |
| 3 | Normal customs duties and taxes on top of the regulatory duty. |
In short, older used vehicles can now come in commercially, but every one of them still has to pass the prescribed standards and pay the applicable duties.
What it could mean for buyers
This section is CarVoltX analysis, not an official forecast.
| 1 | More choice: commercial importers can now offer a wider range of model years, which could bring older imported cars in at lower entry prices. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Trade-offs: older cars may carry higher running, maintenance and parts costs. Ask for the inspection report, auction grade and verified mileage before you commit. |
| 3 | Competition: locally assembled cars may face more pressure as the regulatory duty steps down each year, although how much depends on future notifications and how strictly older imports are inspected. |
Before you buy, work out the full cost of ownership with the CarVoltX on-road cost calculator.
Quick FAQ
Can I import a seven-year-old car myself?
This change is about commercial imports. Personal schemes such as gift and transfer of residence have separate rules, so check those before planning a personal import.
Is the duty gone?
No. A 30% regulatory duty applies to commercial used imports in 2026-27, plus normal customs duties and taxes.
When did the change start?
The age limit stands removed from 1 July 2026.
Do older imports still need to meet standards?
Yes. Environmental, safety, quality, testing and certification standards still apply to every vehicle.
Weighing an import against a locally assembled car? Compare imported and locally assembled options on CarVoltX before you buy.
