Sea Freight from China to Karachi
China → Karachi · via KHI air / Karachi sea · clearance by Pakistan Customs (Federal Board of Revenue)
We move sea freight cargo from South China into Karachi through KHI air / Karachi sea. Karachi is the port city handling most national import volume, which shapes the kind of cargo that moves on this lane and how it should be packed.
On the destination side, Pakistan Customs (Federal Board of Revenue) handles clearance; budget 5–12 days of dwell before the cargo is released.
How this lane actually runs
Karachi handles the overwhelming majority of Pakistan's sea volume, with Port Qasim as the second option. The China–Pakistan FTA phase II gives meaningful duty relief on a long list of tariff lines, but only against a properly issued certificate of origin. Regulatory duty on consumer goods changes with each federal budget, so verify the current rate rather than reusing last year's landed-cost model.
| Sea gateways used | Karachi (KICT/QICT), Port Qasim, Gwadar |
|---|---|
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 14–22 calendar days |
| Gateway serving Karachi | KHI air / Karachi sea |
| Inland leg to Karachi | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 5–12 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Import duty and tax position for Karachi
Imports into Pakistan are cleared by Pakistan Customs (Federal Board of Revenue). The headline position is: Sales tax 18%; customs duty 3–20% plus additional customs duty and regulatory duty on many consumer lines; withholding income tax on imports. The de-minimis threshold is No practical de-minimis.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: PSQCA standards mark for regulated goods; import against a bank contract or letter of credit for most commercial cargo. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Pakistan: Import payment normally has to route through a bank contract or LC, which constrains DDP structures. Regulatory duty and additional customs duty are revised frequently. Used goods and many consumer categories face import bans or heavy surcharges.
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
- Put the Karachi delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Photograph carton markings and seal numbers before departure — it makes any claim far easier to settle.
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders up front — retro-declaring after booking usually means re-planning the whole shipment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Karachi take?
China to the Pakistan gateway is 14–22 calendar days. On top of that, allow 5–12 days of clearance with Pakistan Customs (Federal Board of Revenue) and a same-day inland leg to Karachi.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Karachi?
Pakistan Customs (Federal Board of Revenue) applies: Sales tax 18%; customs duty 3–20% plus additional customs duty and regulatory duty on many consumer lines; withholding income tax on imports. The de-minimis position is No practical de-minimis. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Karachi.
Can you deliver door-to-door in Karachi?
Yes. Delivery to a Karachi address is quoted as one figure covering freight, duty and tax owed to Pakistan Customs (Federal Board of Revenue), and the same-day inland leg. Confirm whether your consignee wants the goods at a warehouse, a marketplace fulfillment center or a shop front, because the last-mile requirement differs.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Karachi?
Per kilo, yes — usually by a wide margin. The trade-off is time: 14–22 calendar days by sea versus 3–6 business days by air to the Pakistan gateway, before clearance and the same-day inland leg. The crossover point is normally somewhere between 100 and 300 kg depending on the density of your cargo.
How is the chargeable weight calculated for Karachi?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight — length × width × height in centimeters divided by 6000 for air — and bill the greater of the two, rounded up to the next kilogram. Light, bulky cargo is almost always billed on volume.
Which port or airport does cargo for Karachi clear through?
Cargo for Karachi is routed via KHI air / Karachi sea. Sea gateways for Pakistan are Karachi (KICT/QICT), Port Qasim, Gwadar; air gateways are KHI (Karachi), LHE (Lahore), ISB (Islamabad). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
Other delivery cities in Pakistan
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Pakistan change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Pakistan Customs (Federal Board of Revenue) or your broker before you ship.
- Pakistan Customs — Federal Board of Revenue
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IMO — IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea
- IATA — Lithium battery shipping guidance (PI 965–970)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
Page data last reviewed: 10 月 2026.
Shipping by industry
This page covers the route and clearance picture for the destination. Packing, classification and the compliance step that actually holds a shipment depend on what you are sending — these guides cover that by commodity.
- Switchgear New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Doors & Windows Building Materials & Construction Products
- Corrugated Packaging Wood, Bamboo & Paper Products
- Glass Packaging Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Kitchenware Furniture & Home Products
- Home Textiles Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Inflatable Products Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Bolts Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Industrial Boilers General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Building Materials Building Materials & Construction Products
- Plumbing Products Building Materials & Construction Products
- Engineering Plastics Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
Checking the Pakistan duty position yourself
Duty and tax figures on this page are planning estimates. The binding assessment is made by Pakistan Customs (Federal Board of Revenue) against your declared HS code at the time of entry; where the amount is material, verify the current rate through ITC Market Access Map before committing to an order.
Most landed-cost surprises trace back to classification rather than freight. the WCO Harmonized System defines the heading structure every customs administration builds on, and ITC Market Access Map will show you the duty a given heading attracts in this destination.
For ocean cargo, restricted commodities move under the IMO's IMDG Code, and the container has to be declared and stowed accordingly. Batteries, flammables and corrosives all have a compliant ocean path; what causes rolled bookings is finding out about them after the container is packed.
If this is your first shipment into Pakistan, the Pakistan Country Commercial Guide covers the practical import environment in more depth than a rate page reasonably can, and it is written by a party with no stake in your booking.
Watch: the process behind this route
This guide covers routing and clearance for Karachi. The video below covers the wider shipping process that sits around it.
How to Calculate CBM in Shipping | Volume vs Weight Explained | CBM Formula & Freight Cost Guide — 10 Min For Supply Chain. Published on YouTube by a third party; we link it because it explains the process well, not because we produced it or endorse the provider.
Customs clearance in Pakistan
Duty and tax position, certification, typical port dwell and what actually holds shipments at this border — plus who files the entry.
Pakistan clearance requirements →