The Ministry of Commerce has amended the Import Policy Order, 2022, abolishing the “Personal Baggage” scheme for used vehicle imports and tightening rules for cars brought in under the “Gift” and “Transfer of Residence” categories.
The changes were notified through S.R.O. 61(1)/2026, which removes the personal baggage option entirely, meaning vehicles can no longer be imported under this route.
Under the revised policy, individuals who have previously imported or gifted a vehicle will now be required to observe a waiting period of 850 days before becoming eligible to import or gift another car. The period will be calculated from the date the goods declaration for the earlier vehicle was filed.
The amendments also introduce a country-of-residence condition for the Transfer of Residence scheme. Vehicles must now be imported from the same country where the overseas Pakistani is officially residing, closing the option of sourcing cars from a third country.
In addition, cars imported under both the Gift and Transfer of Residence schemes will be subject to a one-year restriction on sale or transfer. The ban will apply from the date of import, preventing immediate resale in the local market.
The policy further extends minimum safety, environmental and regulatory standards to vehicles imported under these schemes, aligning them with requirements applicable to commercial imports. The detailed standards will be notified by the Ministry of Industries and Production or the Engineering Development Board.
Officials said the amendments aim to streamline used vehicle imports and address misuse of existing schemes.
Earlier in January, the Federal Cabinet ratified the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) decision of December 9, 2025, allowing overseas Pakistanis to import used vehicles up to three years old under two schemes.
