Two very different kinds of car imports
Pakistan imported US$289.2 million under heading 8703 (cars) in September 2026 and paid Rs 46.0 billion in duties and taxes on them. These were declared on 3,072 goods declarations. But the heading mixes two very different trades:
- Kits and components for local assembly. About 54% of the value ($156.7m) was declared under six codes, each used by only three to five companies, at $22 to $1,190 per "unit". That's far below the price of a finished car.
- Single, finished cars. One car per declaration and a different importer almost every time, nearly all shipped from Japan to Karachi. This pattern is typical of used and reconditioned cars brought in by individuals.
The table below covers the finished cars, where the duty per car is meaningful.
Average duties and taxes paid per car, September 2026
| Engine / type | Cars | Avg duties & taxes | % of value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1000cc | 1,789 | Rs 1.00m | 94% |
| 1001–1500cc | 14 | Rs 3.97m | 111% |
| 1501–3000cc | 12 | Rs 2.75m | 95% |
| 1501–3000cc | 144 | Rs 8.72m | 339% |
| Above 3000cc | 179 | Rs 18.85m | 335% |
| Hybrid (not plug-in) | 25 | Rs 2.82m | 127% |
| Hybrid (not plug-in) | 21 | Rs 4.25m | 134% |
| Electric | 1,932 | Rs 2.56m | 56% |
Pakistan's tariff splits each engine band into several 8-digit sub-codes, and in September they carried very different charges. Two codes in the 1501–3000cc band averaged Rs 2.75m and Rs 8.72m per car. Some rows cover only a few dozen cars, so treat them as indicative.
What makes up the duty on a small car
For cars up to 1000cc, the average Rs 1.0 million per car broke down as follows:
- Sales tax: Rs 363,000 (36%)
- Customs duty: Rs 338,000 (34%)
- Withholding income tax: Rs 219,000 (22%)
- Federal excise duty: Rs 35,000
- Additional sales tax: Rs 22,000
- Special excise and other levies: Rs 25,000
Almost all of these cars (98.9% or more by value) were shipped from Japan and cleared at Karachi.
Above 3000cc: excise duties dominate
For the 179 cars above 3000cc, the average Rs 18.85 million per car included:
- Special federal excise duty: Rs 6.68m
- Sales tax: Rs 4.27m
- Federal excise duty: Rs 2.90m
- Customs duty: Rs 2.17m
- Income tax, regulatory duty and other charges: Rs 2.83m
On average, buyers paid about $66,600 in taxes on a car declared at $19,900.
Electric cars pay far less, relative to value
Pakistan imported 1,932 electric cars in September, 94% of them from China, through 136 importers. Their average declared value was $16,261, and they paid an average of Rs 2.56 million each in duties and taxes: 56% of value. That's a far lighter burden than petrol cars above 1500cc. See the electric car import page.
Three-month view
| Month | Cars up to 1000cc | Avg duty | Above 3000cc | Avg duty | Electric cars | Avg duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,669 | Rs 1.01m | 139 | Rs 10.89m | 1,911 | Rs 2.98m |
| August 2026 | 1,215 | Rs 0.99m | 112 | Rs 29.02m | 694 | Rs 2.52m |
| September 2026 | 1,789 | Rs 1.00m | 179 | Rs 18.85m | 1,932 | Rs 2.56m |
The duty on small cars barely moved: about Rs 1.0 million per car in each month. The average for cars above 3000cc swings widely because it follows what was imported. In August the average declared value of these cars was about $36,700, against roughly $20,000 in July and September, and the duty per car rose with it. Electric car imports dipped to 694 in August and recovered to 1,932 in September.
These figures are what was actually paid in September 2026 on customs-assessed values. Duty depends on the exact sub-code, the car's assessed value, the import scheme and the budget in force, so this is not a quote. Ask your clearing agent for the current calculation, and compare products in the import duty finder.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the import duty on a 660cc car in Pakistan?
Cars up to 1000cc, which includes 660cc models, paid an average of about Rs 1.0 million each in duties and taxes in September 2026. The averages for the three sub-codes ranged from Rs 0.79m to Rs 1.08m.
How much duty is paid on a car above 3000cc in Pakistan?
An average of Rs 18.85 million per car in September 2026, about 3.4 times the declared value. Special and federal excise duties made up nearly half of it.
What is the import duty on electric cars in Pakistan?
Electric cars imported in September 2026 paid an average of Rs 2.56 million each, about 56% of their declared value.
Where do imported cars in Pakistan come from?
Single, finished cars come almost entirely from Japan through Karachi. Electric cars come mainly from China (94% in September 2026).
Source: Pakistan Customs records for September 2026, aggregated by PakTradeStats. Figures based on fewer than three traders are withheld. See our methodology.