Pakistan Customs has successfully mandated international shipping lines to calculate shipping-related charges using official bank exchange rates, ending years of complaints over inflated and discretionary billing practices. According to the All-Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA), all member companies are now required to align freight and ancillary charges with exchange rates provided by their authorized commercial banks, in accordance with the framework prescribed by the State Bank of Pakistan.
The move follows sustained efforts by a senior-level committee formed by Pakistan Customs, which conducted multiple rounds of consultations with shipping agents, port terminal operators, trade organizations, and global shipping firms. The committee’s engagement aimed to ensure transparency, reduce undue costs, and address long-standing concerns voiced by importers, exporters, and industry groups.
Momentum for sector-wide compliance increased after Maersk, which handles roughly 26% of Pakistan’s cargo volume, began applying SBP-aligned exchange rates. This step encouraged broader adoption across other international carriers. Several major shipping companies, including Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express (ONE), COSCO Shipping, CMA CGM, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), OOCL, and United Marine Agencies, subsequently submitted written assurances confirming that they were implementing the new billing mechanism uniformly.
Business groups have long criticized shipping lines for applying dollar exchange rates significantly higher than official levels. This practice had inflated logistics costs, reduced exporters’ competitiveness, and introduced uncertainty into trade operations. By enforcing the use of official bank exchange rates, Pakistan Customs expects transaction costs for importers and exporters to decrease, while shipping invoices become clearer and more predictable.
The reform is part of a broader strategy by customs authorities to safeguard lawful trade, enhance regulatory transparency, and support export-driven economic growth. Coordinated dialogue between Pakistan Customs, industry stakeholders, and shipping companies has proven effective in establishing compliance and building trust within the trading community.
Officials noted that the standardization of exchange rates will not only lower operational costs but also provide exporters with greater confidence in planning and executing international trade. The initiative demonstrates Pakistan Customs’ proactive approach in modernizing trade procedures, aligning sector practices with regulatory frameworks, and creating a more predictable business environment.
This development marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to improve trade facilitation and logistics efficiency, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening export competitiveness and ensuring that the costs of international shipping are fair, transparent, and in line with official monetary policies.
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