Govt Reviews Future of Used Car Import Schemes Amid Misuse Concerns

The commerce ministry is reviewing the future of three used car import schemes for overseas Pakistanis, following concerns that they are being exploited for commercial imports of five-year-old vehicles. The matter has been debated at the Tariff Policy Board and inter-ministerial forums, but no final decision has been taken as the views of the finance division and the Federal Board of Revenue are awaited, reported Business Recorder. Currently, used cars are imported through the Gift, Personal Baggage, and Transfer of Residence schemes, though the Ministry of Industries argues these have become substitutes for commercial imports and should be curtailed, leaving only the Transfer of Residence scheme. The ministry has already placed the Motor Vehicles Industry Development Act 2025 before parliament, which will set safety, emissions, and quality standards for both locally manufactured and imported vehicles. Until testing facilities are established in Pakistan, imports will require pre-shipment certification from designated international inspection agencies. Officials also proposed stricter depreciation rules, revision of minimum import trade prices, and phasing down additional duties on used car imports as agreed with the IMF. Meanwhile, a National Electric Vehicle levy of up to 3% will continue to apply.