Pakistan’s commerce ministry allows Japan-issued inspection certificates for used vehicle imports

Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has clarified that pre-shipment inspection certificates issued through M/s EAA Company (Pvt.) Ltd. and M/s Auto Terminal Pak (Pvt.) Ltd., through their respective GLOBAC-accredited foreign principals in Japan, will continue to be accepted for used vehicle imports under the Gift Scheme and Transfer of Residence Scheme.

The clarification was issued after the Federal Board of Revenue sought guidance following the issuance of SRO 61(I)/2026 on January 15.

The SRO required the Engineering Development Board to certify minimum safety, environmental and regulatory standards for commercially imported used vehicles under the Gift Scheme and Transfer of Residence Scheme.

The Ministry of Commerce said inspections carried out by the foreign principals of the two companies would be treated as acceptable under the new safety standards.

It said the local entities of both companies were registered with the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority for “automobiles” with effect from March 9.

The ministry directed Customs authorities to independently verify the genuineness of PSI certificates directly with the local entities of the companies.

It also said the local entities must vouch for the inspection work carried out by their foreign principals abroad.

The memorandum further clarified that the Engineering Development Board’s separate September 2025 notification on vehicles imported under the Gift Scheme and Transfer of Residence Scheme does not apply to commercial imports of used vehicles.

Separately, the Commerce Division In-Charge Minister approved a one-time exemption for vehicles imported under the same schemes and shipped between January 16 and March 9.

Under the exemption, such vehicles may be cleared by Customs without an Engineering Development Board-mandated PSI certificate, as they were shipped before SRO 61(I)/2026 became fully effective.

The exemption will apply subject to conditions.

Importers will still have to meet all other requirements under the Import Policy Order 2022.

The notification also said no vehicle graded “Below Average,” “Poor,” “Repaired Accident” or “Minor Accident Repair” on auction sheets will be cleared.

The clarification is aimed at resolving uncertainty over inspection requirements for used vehicle imports after the introduction of stricter safety and regulatory standards.