Pakistan Exempts 57 Items From Origin Certificate Rule

The Ministry of Commerce has exempted 57 items from the Certificate of Origin (COO) requirement for trade with Iran, a decision the business community says will significantly simplify and accelerate bilateral commerce. Mohammad Ayub Khan Mariani, President of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), called the exemption a “major achievement” that will allow Pakistani traders to conduct business with greater ease and confidence. Mariani said the chamber has also submitted a second list of 37 additional items to the Ministry of Commerce for exemption, and the ministry has assured swift action on the proposal. He made these remarks during a Zoom meeting chaired by Member Customs Policy Asad Jawad, held as part of ongoing consultations between the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the private sector.  The meeting focused on removing procedural barriers — particularly the Electronic Import Form (EIF) and COO — that have long hindered Pakistan–Iran trade. Officials from Customs Balochistan, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the Ministry of Commerce attended the session, alongside senior customs officers Irfan Javed and Jamil Baloch. Mariani said the exemption will ease cross-border movement of goods, reduce documentation hurdles, and help restore business confidence among exporters and importers in Balochistan. “This step will encourage formal trade channels and help stabilize border markets that rely heavily on Iran–Pakistan exchanges,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Commerce Ministry and the SIFC for addressing long-standing trade issues.