The import of used and old cars in Completely Built Unit (CBU) condition declined by 69 percent to $64.8 million during July – March 2019/2020 as compared with $209.03 million in the corresponding period of the last year, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.
The commercial import of used or old cars is prohibited under prevailing laws of the country. However, in order to facilitate expatriate Pakistanis the government allows incentives to bring cars into the country.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) allowed Pakistani nationals residing abroad including dual nationals, can import old and used vehicles into Pakistan under these schemes, included: Personal Baggage; Gift Scheme; and Transfer of Residence.
The cars not older than three years and other vehicles not older than five years can be imported under these schemes.
In the past these schemes were misused and bulk of imported cars brought into the country.
However, the ministry of commerce in February 2019 amended Import Policy Order, 2016 and made it mandatory for clearance of cars through foreign exchange, which should be certified by banks.
