ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a new regulatory framework for the transportation of cargo to and from Iran, citing the prevailing war-like situation in the Gulf region as the primary reason for the updated procedures.
The new rules have been issued through Customs General Order (CGO) No. 05 of 2026 and came into force with immediate effect. The framework applies to all cargo movements across the Pakistan-Iran land border.
Under the new regulations, cargo transported under the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) international customs transit system will continue to be governed by the provisions of Chapter XXIX of the Customs Rules, 2001.
Meanwhile, cargo transported under the general transit regime will follow the procedures outlined in Chapter XLIII of the Customs Rules, 2001. However, in a significant change, the designated land routes for such cargo will now be determined by the Ministry of Commerce, replacing the routes previously notified under Rule 1054.
The FBR has also permitted cross-stuffing of Iran-bound cargo at Pakistan’s seaports and off-dock terminals in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Customs Rules, facilitating smoother cargo handling and logistics operations.
To strengthen oversight, the Directorate General of Transit Trade, Karachi, has been assigned the responsibility of supervising and facilitating cargo transportation under the new framework. The directorate will conduct daily reconciliation of cargo movements to detect any pilferage or irregularities during transit.
The order further states that any violations will result in immediate legal action under the Customs Act, 1969.
Additionally, the Directorate General of Reforms and Automation has been directed to update the relevant customs system modules to ensure seamless implementation and processing of cargo movements under the newly issued regulatory framework.
The latest measures are aimed at ensuring secure, transparent, and uninterrupted trade with Iran while addressing operational challenges arising from the evolving security situation in the Gulf region.
