ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has implemented a new transit trade framework allowing goods from third countries to pass through its territory to Iran, the government said on Sunday.
The Ministry of Commerce said it had introduced the “Transit of Goods Order 2026” through a notification, adding that the policy had come into effect immediately.
For this to come into force, the Ministry of Commerce has issued a statutory regulatory order, Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026.
Under the order, goods originating from third countries will now be permitted to transit through Pakistan en route to Iran, the ministry said.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, key transit corridors have been designated through Gwadar, Karachi and Taftan.
The Gwadar-Gabad route has been opened for shipments from third countries bound for Iran, while the Karachi-Taftan cargo corridor has also been approved, the notification said.
According to the order, the following routes have been designated for the transit of goods:
- Karachi/ Port Qasim-Lyari-Ormara-Pasni-Gabd
- Karachi/ Port Qasim- Khuzdar-Dalbandin-Taftan
- Gawadar-Turbat-Hoshab-Panjgur-Nagg-Besima-Khuzdar-Quetta/ Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan
- Gwadar-Liari-Khuzdar-Quetta/ Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan
- Karachi/ Port Qasim -Gwadar- Gabd
- Gwadar-Gabd
The notification makes it mandatory for transit cargo to provide a financial guarantee to ensure compliance with regulations.
Customs procedures will be implemented under rules set by the Federal Board of Revenue, with designated corridors aimed at ensuring smooth and secure transit operations.
The Ministry of Commerce said in its order that the transportation of cargo under the notification shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969, the rules made thereunder, and the procedure prescribed by the Federal Board of Revenue.
The order “shall apply to the transportation of transit goods in transport units, consigned from the territory of a third country and destined to a place in the territory of Iran through the territory of Pakistan”.
The notification has been issued in pursuance of Article 2 of the Agreement between the government of Pakistan and the government of Iran on International Transport of Passengers and Goods by Road executed in June 2008, and in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950, the ministry said.
The order has come into force with effect from April 25.
Under the order, the transportation of goods has been defined as cross-stuffing, which means the transfer of goods from one container to another container or by any other mode of transportation that shall be allowed in a mode and manner allowed under relevant Customs laws and regulations.
It further defines Customs Security as an encashable financial guarantee, submitted by the traders or through their authorised brokers on transit goods, for an amount equivalent to the import levies of Pakistan, as provided in relevant Customs laws, rules and regulations.
A shipper under the order means any natural or legal person by whom or in whose name a contract of carriage of goods has been concluded with a carrier, or any person by whom or in whose name the goods are actually delivered to the carrier in relation to the contract of carriage of goods.
According to the order, transit has been defined as the movement of goods in transit across the territory of Pakistan when the passage across such territory is only a portion of a complete journey, which begins and ends beyond the borders of Pakistan.
Moreover, a transit transport corridor has been explained as a route for use by a carrier for the transit of goods.
