ISLAMABAD, Oct 3, 2025: The government has enforced a comprehensive set of strict regulations on vehicle imports, effective October 1, 2025.
These measures fulfill the country’s commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and aim to raise safety, environmental, and quality standards in the automotive sector.
The Ministry of Industries and Production has increased the number of mandatory safety and quality standards for imported vehicles from 17 to 62. These standards now apply to all imported vehicles. Locally manufactured vehicles will adopt the new standards in phases, starting July 1, 2026, when six additional requirements will take effect.
The new rules require all imported vehicles to carry internationally recognized certifications for environmental performance, safety, quality, and testing. The government has restricted vehicle imports to commercial importers only. Importers bringing vehicles from Japan must obtain certification from the Japan Automotive Appraisal Institute and the Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center.
Importers of Korean vehicles must provide certification from an approved Korean testing laboratory, while those importing Chinese vehicles must secure documentation from the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute. The Engineering Development Board (EDB) will examine and verify all related documentation and procedures.
The government has prohibited the import of vehicles involved in accidents, with tampered mileage, defective or unclear headlights, cracked windshields, or missing chassis or engine numbers. Authorities will also bar vehicles without verified airbags, those emitting harmful smoke, or those equipped with damaged or substandard tyres.
Inspectors will conduct rigorous post-shipment inspections on all imported vehicles through independent third parties, and importers will bear the full cost of these inspections.
For electric vehicles, the government has set additional conditions. Authorities will assess battery life, performance, durability, charging standards, and compliance with recycling requirements. Vehicles that fail to meet these benchmarks, display poor quality, or violate environmental standards will face a complete import ban.
This regulatory overhaul marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s automotive import policy. It aligns national regulations with international standards, improves road safety, and reduces environmental pollution. The government expects the new framework to bring greater transparency and accountability to the used car market, which has long faced criticism for loopholes and substandard imports.