Hi, it’s Faiz from Maalbardaar.
This week brings some important updates for businesses moving cargo through Pakistan.
Karachi Port is pushing importers to file Goods Declarations before cargo arrives, while KPT and terminal operators are also offering major incentives to make transshipment through Pakistan more competitive.
At the same time, diesel remains close to Rs400 per litre, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves remain strong, and shipping risks around the Strait of Hormuz remain a concern.
Key Updates
1. KPT Urges Importers to File GDs Before Cargo Arrives
Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd) Shahid Ahmed has urged importers, clearing agents, and customs brokers to make pre-arrival Goods Declaration filing standard practice.
According to KPT’s reported cargo clearance figures, cargo with a pre-arrival GD is being cleared in around 90 hours.
Cargo without advance filing is taking around 296 hours.
That is a major difference.
For importers, filing before arrival can help save time and speed up the customs clearance process.
The lesson for importers is simple:
Do not wait for the vessel to arrive before starting your customs work.
2. KPT Cuts Transshipment Costs by Around 80%
KPT is also working to make Karachi more competitive for transshipment cargo.
According to KPT Chairman Shahid Ahmed, relevant transshipment charges have been reduced by approximately 80%.
Under the government’s transshipment incentive framework, concessions on certain port charges can reach up to 80%, depending on the amount of transshipment cargo carried by a vessel.
Terminal operators are also offering discounts.
Pakistan’s major container terminals can provide terminal handling charge concessions of:
- 10% for certain lower transshipment volumes
- 20% at the next level
- Up to 25% for higher transshipment cargo volumes
KPT terminals are also offering 14 days of free storage for qualifying transshipment cargo.
These changes are designed to attract more international shipping lines and regional cargo through Pakistan.
For Pakistan, this could mean more vessel calls, better connectivity, and stronger competition between regional ports.
These incentives apply to eligible transshipment cargo rather than all ordinary imports and exports.
3. Karachi Port Is Also Getting Deeper
According to recent updates from Karachi Port Trust, around 90% of its long-delayed dredging work has been completed.
The main channel has been deepened to around 14.5 metres.
The approach channel is expected to reach around 16 metres once the remaining work is completed.
A deeper channel allows larger vessels to call at Karachi Port.
This matters because larger ships can improve shipping connectivity and potentially reduce the cost per container when volumes increase.
KPT has also developed off-dock capacity to help cargo move away from congested terminal areas.
Together, lower charges, deeper channels, and faster clearance could make Karachi Port more competitive.
4. Diesel Remains Close to Rs400 Per Litre
Fuel costs remain an important logistics issue.
According to the government’s October 16 fuel price announcement, petrol was reduced to Rs386.30 per litre, effective October 17 to October 19.
High-speed diesel remained unchanged at Rs396.96 per litre.
Diesel matters more directly for logistics because it affects container trucking and inland transportation costs.
Even with some fuel relief, inland transport remains expensive.
Importers should confirm trucking rates before finalising their landed costs.
5. Pakistan’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Remain Strong
Pakistan’s external position continues to provide some support for trade.
According to State Bank of Pakistan figures reported by Dawn, reserves held by the central bank increased to approximately $21.47 billion during the week ended October 9.
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves reached approximately $26.86 billion.
Stronger reserves help improve confidence around foreign payments and imports.
But importers should still monitor exchange rates and payment timing, especially for larger shipments.
6. Port Qasim Remains Import-Heavy
Port Qasim also remained active during the week.
In one recent 24-hour period, the port reportedly handled around 167,853 tonnes of cargo.
This included:
- 136,316 tonnes of imports
- 31,537 tonnes of exports
- 2,926 containers
Heavy import movement means customs documents, transport arrangements, payments, and warehouse space should ideally be ready before cargo arrives.
Importers can follow official cargo movement updates through the Port Qasim Authority.
What This Means for Importers and Exporters
This week shows that some of the biggest opportunities to reduce logistics costs are not just about finding a cheaper freight rate.
Businesses can also save time and money through better planning.
With Karachi Port encouraging pre-arrival Goods Declaration filing, importers should focus on preparing customs documents before vessels reach Pakistan.
At the same time, stronger port infrastructure and transshipment incentives could help Pakistan improve its international shipping connectivity.
For businesses importing goods into Pakistan, keeping track of vessel movements, customs requirements, and inland transport costs remains important.
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