Pakistan Customs Mandates Shipping Fees Based on Official Bank Exchange Rates
Islamabad – Pakistan Customs, operating under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has taken a major step to ensure transparency in the shipping industry by enforcing shipping charges according to official bank exchange rates.
The move effectively ends the long-standing practice of arbitrary and inflated billing by international shipping lines. According to the FBR, all shipping fees are now calculated strictly based on exchange rates provided by authorized commercial banks, in compliance with State Bank of Pakistan regulations.
The All Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA) formally confirmed on January 12, 2026, that all member shipping lines have adopted the official exchange rates, marking a significant milestone in standardizing shipping costs across Pakistan.
This achievement comes after sustained efforts by a high-level committee formed by Pakistan Customs, which engaged in extensive consultations with shipping agents, terminal operators, trade bodies, and international shipping companies.
Maersk, the largest shipping line in Pakistan handling approximately 26% of the country’s cargo, has already implemented the official bank exchange rates, setting a benchmark for the entire industry. Other major international shipping lines have also submitted written confirmations of compliance, fully aligning their charges with State Bank of Pakistan exchange rates.
Traders and exporters had long raised concerns over inflated dollar exchange rates applied by shipping lines, which often exceeded official rates, leading to higher costs, reduced export competitiveness, and uncertainty in shipping charges.
The enforcement of official exchange rates is expected to relieve cost pressures on exporters, improve transparency in shipping fees, and restore confidence within Pakistan’s business community.
