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Here’s a piece of genuinely good news that most people don’t expect: household goods and personal effects moving to Pakistan are duty and tax-free by default, provided they’re properly documented. That’s a rarer, cleaner starting point than many of the destinations we move people to. There is one specific exception worth knowing about upfront – seven named appliances face a 50% duty regardless – but beyond that, the process is more straightforward than the customs anxiety around it usually suggests.
Your dedicated move manager handles the documentation that keeps you on the duty-free side of the process, from the first survey through to delivery.
The paperwork that unlocks Pakistan’s duty-free treatment – your transfer-of-residence certificate, employment certificate, and itemised inventory – needs to be right and complete before your shipment arrives, not assembled reactively once it’s already at the port. Your move manager prepares this with you from the outset and remains your one continuous point of contact, working with an in-country partner in Pakistan who manages clearance on the ground.
The default position is genuinely favourable: household goods and personal effects are duty and tax-free in Pakistan when properly documented. There’s one specific, named exception:
Everything else in a typical household shipment – furniture, clothing, personal effects, kitchenware, books – falls under the duty-free default. Your move manager will flag anything in your inventory that falls into the appliance exception before you’re quoted, so there are no surprises at the Pakistani end.
Customs clearance in Pakistan typically takes 4–5 days once your shipment arrives, and you (the consignee) should be present for it. Port storage is free for the first six days, with demurrage charges applying to containerised shipments after seven days from vessel arrival – a reasonable window, but one worth planning your own arrival and availability around.
If you’re a returning Pakistani citizen who has lived abroad for over two years, additional duty and tax concessions may apply – worth raising with your move manager if this applies to you.
Generally permitted, duty-free: used household goods, furniture, clothing, personal effects, books, and kitchenware, listed on a full inventory with purchase invoices where available.
Restricted – the 50% duty exception: one television, one deep freezer, one refrigerator, one microwave oven, one cooking range, one washing machine, and one air conditioner. A second unit of any of these, or additional appliances beyond this list, may face different treatment – your move manager can confirm specifics.
Prohibited: items restricted under Pakistani import law generally. Your move manager can flag anything unusual in your inventory before packing day.
Gerson Moving Services holds British Association of Removers (BAR) membership with the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee, International Association of Movers (IAM) accreditation, Planet Mark sustainability certification, and is part of the AGM Group of companies. Disputes are handled through the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO).
When moving with us, you have a comprehensive choice of services that ensure removals to Pakistan are secure, safe and efficient.
Experts in packing and wrapping, we use only premium materials to ensure all of your belongings stay in great condition throughout the journey. Everything you want to take will have extra care and attention from us, so you won’t need to worry about any mishaps during the long trip to Pakistan.
If you have bulky furniture to take with you, leave it to us to ensure it arrives safely. We can handle everything from large tables to wardrobes, beds and sofas, ready for use when you move in. If required, we can also disassemble furniture where this is possible for easier transit.
Have valuable or fragile items that need extra protection? Take advantage of our specialist packing services for these items that go above and beyond to protect them during their onward journey. Everything from antiques to your priceless sentimental possessions will be securely wrapped.
Get from A to B with minimal effort with door-to-door delivery during international removals to Pakistan. Wherever in the country you’re moving to, we can provide onward transit after shipping to ensure you’ve got all your items ready to unpack in your new home.
Make the complicated aspect of customs and immigration as simple as possible with our help. We’ve assisted many individuals and families filling in confusing or time-consuming documentation for Pakistan, so we’ll ensure nothing important is missed.
We offer temporary storage if you need this both in the UK and once you’ve arrived in Pakistan. Both short and long-term options are available if you need them, so that you won’t have to rush if you need more time before the move or after arrival.
We offer a simple 4 step process for all international removals to Pakistan that makes it simple for you:
Get A Move
Quote
Packing &
Collection
Sea, Air or Road
Transport
Delivery and
Unpacking
Get in touch for a personalised quote. Your move manager will confirm your documentation status and flag anything in your inventory that falls under the appliance exception, so the quote you receive is one you can rely on.
Real feedback from people who chose our international moving company.
“Relocating our family from London to Karachi seemed overwhelming, but Gerson managed every detail. Shipping, customs clearance and delivery ran perfectly. We were settled within a week.”
“Fifteen years of furniture travelled to Lahore without a scratch. The packing team worked with real care, and we were updated at every stage of the journey.”
“After a decade in the UK, returning to Islamabad was remarkably simple. Gerson handled Pakistani customs expertly and delivered exactly on schedule. Nothing missing, no stress at all.”
Generally, no. Household goods and personal effects are duty and tax-free in Pakistan when properly documented. The one exception is a specific list of seven appliances – one television, freezer, fridge, microwave, cooking range, washing machine, and air conditioner – each of which faces 50% of the total duty and taxes that would otherwise apply.
A transfer-of-residence certificate, an employment certificate, your passport (and CNIC copy if you’re a Pakistani national), the bill of lading or air waybill, and a detailed inventory with purchase invoices where available. Your move manager prepares this with you.
Typically 4–5 days after your shipment arrives, and you should be present for it.
Six days. Demurrage charges apply to containerised shipments after seven days from vessel arrival.
Yes. Your dedicated move manager is your primary contact from the initial survey through to delivery in Pakistan, working alongside a local partner for customs clearance and final delivery.
