Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping a Car from the UK to Pakistan
Shipping a car from the UK to Pakistan means container shipping only; as ShipCars does not use RoRo on this lane. Shared containers start from £995 for a standard car; dedicated containers from £1595. Transit to Karachi takes 32 days. All UK vehicles are right-hand drive, which is a direct match for Pakistan’s road configuration. Import eligibility depends on your scheme — Transfer of Residence or Gift — as the Personal Baggage Scheme was abolished in January 2026.
What Are The Pakistan’s Vehicle Import Rules
Shipping a car from the UK to Pakistan involves more than booking a container. Pakistan’s import rules are scheme-specific, the duty structure changed significantly under the Finance Bill 2026-27 effective 1 July 2026, and the Personal Baggage Scheme that many customers previously used no longer exists. This guide covers everything accurately — so there are no surprises at Karachi Port.
Step 1: Check Whether Your Car Is Eligible for Import
Pakistan’s import rules are strict. Getting this wrong before you ship is the most expensive mistake you can make.
Vehicle age limits (personal imports):
- Saloon cars and hatchbacks — no older than 3 years from date of manufacture
- SUVs and 4x4s — no older than 5 years from date of manufacture
- Age is measured from manufacture date, not UK registration date — these are not always the same
Drive configuration: UK cars are right-hand drive — which is correct for Pakistan. Pakistan drives on the left and uses RHD vehicles throughout. UK cars require no steering conversion and are fully eligible. This is a significant advantage over vehicles sourced from Europe or North America.
Prohibited vehicles:
- Vehicles manufactured in India are strictly prohibited from import into Pakistan. A vehicle with an Indian VIN or manufacturing origin will be seized at Karachi Port at the importer’s cost.
Electric vehicles: EVs must be shipped via container only and are subject to specific FBR import conditions. Verify current EV policy at fbr.gov.pk before purchasing a UK EV for Pakistan import.
Always confirm the latest policy at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) before booking — rules update regularly and the Finance Bill 2026-27 introduced several changes.
Step 2: Choose Your Import Scheme
Pakistan allows personal vehicle imports under two schemes only. The Personal Baggage Scheme was abolished in January 2026 — only the following two remain:
Transfer of Residence (TR) Scheme Available to overseas Pakistanis returning to Pakistan permanently after living abroad for a minimum of two years. The vehicle must have been owned and used for at least six months (verify current SRO requirement with FBR — this condition has historically varied). TR is the most commonly used scheme among ShipCars’ UK customers relocating home permanently.
Gift Scheme An overseas Pakistani can gift a vehicle to an immediate family member in Pakistan. Customs duty must be paid in foreign exchange remitted from abroad. The vehicle must meet the standard age limits. Eligibility is strictly defined — consult a licensed Pakistani customs broker to confirm your situation qualifies before proceeding.
Important: The waiting period between personal imports increased to 850 days under 2026 FBR updates, and a one-year resale restriction now applies to vehicles imported under both schemes. One vehicle per eligible individual per cycle.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
Missing a single document can hold your vehicle at Karachi Port for weeks. Prepare everything before the car leaves the UK.
UK-side documents (before shipping):
- Original V5C logbook — the vehicle registration certificate in your name
- Valid passport (copy of photo page)
- Proof of purchase or bill of sale if recently acquired
- Completed ShipCars booking form
- Vehicle condition report (provided by ShipCars at collection)
Pakistan-side documents (for customs clearance at Karachi):
- Original Bill of Lading — issued by the shipping line
- Shipping invoice showing the vehicle’s declared value
- CNIC (National Identity Card) of the importer
- Transfer of Residence or Gift Scheme documentation as applicable
- Proof of foreign exchange remittance for duty payment through a Pakistani bank
- Customs declaration forms — filed by your appointed clearing agent in Karachi
ShipCars recommends appointing your Pakistani customs clearing agent before the vehicle departs the UK, not after it arrives. Clearance delays are almost always documentation-related, and having your agent briefed in advance significantly reduces port storage time.
Step 4: Choose Your Shipping Method
ShipCars offers two container-based options for UK to Pakistan shipments. RoRo shipping is not used on this lane — container shipping provides the protection and security that this route requires.
Shared Container Service
Your vehicle is loaded alongside other cars in the same 40ft container bound for Karachi. This is the most cost-effective option for standard cars and SUVs.
- From £1,095 for a small car (e.g., VW Golf)
- Personal effects can be loaded inside the vehicle within the container
- Suitable for non-running vehicles
- Sailings: 4 times per month to Karachi
Dedicated Container Service
Your vehicle occupies its own exclusive 20ft or 40ft container — recommended for high-value, luxury, or classic cars where maximum security is the priority.
- From £1595 — contact ShipCars for a confirmed quote
- Maximum personal effects loading permitted
- Ideal for oversized vehicles or where privacy of shipment is required
Both options include: UK port handling, export documentation, container loading and securing, and expert guidance throughout. Pakistani duties, port handling, brokerage fees, and local delivery within Pakistan are not included in the UK-side quote.
Step 5: Understand the Costs and Import Duties
Your ShipCars quote covers the UK side of the shipment. Pakistani import duties are a separate, significant cost assessed by FBR at Karachi and paid by you or your clearing agent.
Finance Bill 2026-27 changes (effective 1 July 2026): Pakistan’s duty structure changed materially from 1 July 2026. Customs Duty was reduced across most engine brackets below 2,000cc. However, a new Special Excise Duty was simultaneously introduced on vehicles above 2,000cc — making larger-engined vehicles considerably more expensive to import than before.
Indicative duty rates under Finance Bill 2026-27:
| Engine Size | Customs Duty (revised) | Sales Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 800cc | 30% of assessed value | 17% | Lowest bracket — reduced from 50% |
| 801cc – 1,000cc | 35% of assessed value | 17% | Reduced from 55% |
| 1,001cc – 1,300cc | ~50% of assessed value | 17% | Verify current rate with FBR |
| 1,301cc – 1,500cc | ~60% of assessed value | 17% | Verify current rate with FBR |
| 1,501cc – 2,000cc | ~65% of assessed value | 17% | Verify current rate with FBR |
| Above 2,000cc | Higher CD + new Special Excise Duty of 86–92% | 17% | Significant increase — verify with FBR |
⚠️ These are indicative figures only. FBR assesses duty on their own valuation of the vehicle — not necessarily on your purchase price. Duties are also affected by your import scheme (TR vs Gift), filer/non-filer tax status, and any applicable SRO in force at the time of clearance. Always obtain a confirmed calculation from a licensed Pakistani customs broker before shipping. Duty and tax rates can and do change; the figures above reflect our understanding of the Finance Bill 2026-27 passed in June 2026 and are subject to FBR updates.
Step 6: Prepare Your Car for Collection
Before handing over your vehicle:
- Reduce fuel to below a quarter of a tank — a container safety requirement
- Ensure the battery is charged so the vehicle can be moved
- Disable any alarm or immobiliser system
- Photograph existing damage from every angle for your insurance records
- Remove any loose personal items unless declared and packed securely inside the container
- Ensure the vehicle has a valid UK MOT if being collected by trade plate driver
ShipCars offers UK-wide collection by professional transporter or trade plate driver. Alternatively, deliver directly to the depot for a £35 vehicle condition report fee.
Step 7: Customs Clearance at Karachi Port
Once your vehicle arrives at Karachi, your appointed Pakistani customs clearing agent manages the process:
- All shipping and import documents submitted to FBR customs
- Customs assessment of the vehicle’s value
- Payment of all applicable duties and taxes in foreign exchange
- Physical inspection to verify chassis and engine numbers
- Release from port storage
Sea transit from UK departure ports to Karachi takes 32 days. Port clearance adds a further one to three weeks depending on documentation readiness and port volumes. Having all documents prepared and your clearing agent briefed before departure is the single most effective way to reduce total transit time.
Step 8: Register Your Vehicle in Pakistan
With customs cleared, register at your city’s Regional Transport Office (RTO) with:
- Customs clearance certificate
- Original Bill of Lading and import documents
- Passport and CNIC
- Proof of duty payment
- Completed RTO registration form
Your Pakistani number plates are issued on approval and the vehicle is road-legal.
Why Choose ShipCars for UK to Pakistan Shipping
- Over 10 years of international vehicle shipping experience
- Container shipping specialists — shared and dedicated options to Karachi
- Transparent, upfront UK-side pricing with no hidden charges
- Four sailings per month to Karachi
- UK-wide vehicle collection by transporter or trade plate driver
- Full UK export documentation support included in every quote
- Marine insurance available from 1% of vehicle value
Get your free quote: Call 01495 320540, email info@shipcars.co.uk, or use the online quote form. Call us today or use our instant online quote tool at Ship Cars Ltd— and let’s get your car safely across the Atlantic.
FAQs — Car Shipping To Karachi
Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Pakistan?
Yes — and UK cars are ideally suited for Pakistan. Pakistan drives on the left, exactly like the UK, which means all UK-registered right-hand drive vehicles are road-legal in Pakistan without any steering conversion. This is a direct advantage over vehicles sourced from continental Europe or North America, and one of the reasons the UK is a popular source market for Pakistani buyers.
What happened to the Personal Baggage Scheme for Pakistan?
The Personal Baggage Scheme was abolished in January 2026. It no longer exists as a valid import route. Overseas Pakistanis returning home can now only import a personal vehicle under the Transfer of Residence Scheme or the Gift Scheme. Anyone who previously used or planned to use the Personal Baggage Scheme must now use one of these two remaining routes.
How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Pakistan?
Shared container shipping for a standard car from the UK to Karachi starts from £1,095. A dedicated container is priced separately — contact ShipCars for a confirmed quote based on your vehicle size and preferred sailing date. Pakistani import duties, port handling, and clearing agent fees at Karachi are additional to the UK-side shipping cost and vary based on engine size, vehicle age, and your import scheme.
How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to Pakistan?
Container transit from UK departure ports to Karachi Port takes approximately 32 days. ShipCars operates two sailings per month to Karachi. Total time from UK booking to having the vehicle released and registered in Pakistan — including customs clearance at Karachi and RTO registration — is typically 10 to 14 weeks depending on documentation readiness and port volumes at the time of arrival.
Can I send personal belongings inside my car when shipping to Pakistan?
Yes — container shipping allows personal effects to be loaded inside the vehicle or in the remaining container space. All personal effects must be declared in full to Pakistani customs at clearance. Undisclosed items discovered during inspection can result in additional duties, fines, and delays to the vehicle’s release. Always declare everything to ShipCars at the time of booking so the manifest is accurate.
What is the Transfer of Residence Scheme for Pakistan imports?
The Transfer of Residence Scheme is the most commonly used import route for overseas Pakistanis returning home permanently. To qualify you must have lived outside Pakistan continuously for a minimum of two years and the vehicle must have been owned and used abroad for the qualifying ownership period. TR scheme vehicles attract duty at a concessional rate rather than the full commercial import rate. The scheme is defined by FBR Statutory Regulatory Orders which are updated periodically — always verify the current conditions with a licensed Pakistani customs broker before proceeding.
