Pakistan Customs Rules 2026: Duty-Free Allowance, Banned Items & Cash Limit

Duty-free allowance in Pakistan

Pakistani nationals: duty-free allowance up to US$800 for this length of stay (≤30 days $400, 31–60 days $800, >60 days $1,200). Mobile phones are excluded. ✅ Official

Foreign nationals/tourists: personal clothing and other items (excluding mobile phones) up to US$800. ✅ Official

About 30% customs duty plus 18% sales tax on the excess (baggage items are assessed at FBR fixed rates, which vary by item). ≈ Estimated

Status

Gold jewellery	declare	Declare all gold at the airport. Reasonable personal jewellery is normally allowed. New gold counts towards your duty-free allowance. 🟣 Reported
Gold bars & coins	declare	Gold bars and coins must be declared. Commercial amounts will be charged duty or seized. ≈ Estimated
Mobile phones	declare	Phones are excluded from the baggage allowance. Every phone you bring must be registered with PTA (DIRBS) and the tax paid, or it will be blocked on Pakistani networks. Passport registration (within 60 days) is cheapest; CNIC adds 4% customs duty and withholding tax, doubled for non-filers. ✅ Official
Laptops & tablets	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Other electronics	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Watches	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Perfume & cosmetics	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Clothing & shoes	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Gifts & other goods	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Alcohol	prohibited	Importing alcoholic beverages is prohibited for passengers. 🟣 Reported
Cigarettes & tobacco	allowed	A small personal quantity is normally allowed (about 200 cigarettes). ≈ Estimated
E-cigarettes / vapes	allowed	Personal-use e-cigarettes are generally allowed in small quantities. ≈ Estimated
Cash & currency	declare	No limit on bringing foreign currency in, but declare large amounts. Leaving Pakistan: declare foreign currency over US$5,000. ✅ Official
Medicines	restricted	Personal-use medicines are usually allowed with a prescription. Controlled medicines (strong painkillers, sedatives, ADHD drugs) may need prior approval. ≈ Estimated
Packaged food & sweets	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Meat, milk & dairy	restricted	Meat and dairy may need veterinary certificates. Pork products are not allowed. ≈ Estimated
Plants, seeds & fruit	restricted	Plants, seeds and fresh fruit usually need a phytosanitary certificate. Declare them. ≈ Estimated
Drones	restricted	Drones need prior approval/NOC from Pakistani authorities. ≈ Estimated
Weapons & ammunition	restricted	Firearms, ammunition and many knives need an import permit or licence issued in advance. ≈ Estimated
Narcotics & drugs	prohibited	Illegal drugs are prohibited in practically every country. Penalties can include long prison sentences or worse. ≈ Estimated

Declare or pay online

PTA DIRBS – register your phone: Register phones you bring into Pakistan and generate the FBR tax payment slip (PSID), payable through banking apps. Overseas Pakistanis can use temporary registration for short visits. ✅ Official

Leaving Pakistan

Gold bullion, precious stones and gold jewellery bought in Pakistan face export restrictions. Jewellery you declared on arrival can be taken back out. ✅ Official
Declare foreign currency over US$5,000 (or equivalent) when leaving. ✅ Official

⚖️ If you don't declare

Undeclared dutiable goods or gold: confiscation under the Customs Act, plus duty and penalty (you may get the goods back on paying a redemption fine).
Phones not registered with PTA are blocked on Pakistani networks after the grace period.
Smuggling and prohibited items (alcohol, drugs, arms): arrest and prosecution.

≈ Estimated

Frequently asked questions

How much can I bring duty-free from to Pakistan?

Pakistani nationals: duty-free allowance up to US$800 for this length of stay (≤30 days $400, 31–60 days $800, >60 days $1,200). Mobile phones are excluded.

How much cash can I carry to Pakistan?

No limit on bringing foreign currency in, but declare large amounts. Leaving Pakistan: declare foreign currency over US$5,000.

Can I pay customs duty online before travelling to Pakistan?

PTA DIRBS – register your phone: Register phones you bring into Pakistan and generate the FBR tax payment slip (PSID), payable through banking apps. Overseas Pakistanis can use temporary registration for short visits.

Popular routes

Sources

✅ Official FBR – Baggage Rules 2006, as amended by SRO 985(I)/2022
🟣 Reported Express Tribune – FBR: passengers must declare gold at airports
✅ Official FBR – Mobile devices regularization (DIRBS)
🟣 Reported FBR passenger baggage rules (import of alcoholic beverages prohibited)
✅ Official FBR – SRO 1751(I)/2022, Rule 7A (outbound declaration)

Last checked: 2026-11-09