Pakistan

Connecting Pakistan to the world

MSC has been helping customers to ship cargo to and from Pakistan for years. Today, with more than 40 services connecting 200 global routes, we are proud to say that we are a market leader, moving cargo across 200 global routes.

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INFORMATIONEN ZU NIEDERLASSUNGEN

Local Export and Import Requirements

General Tariff

You can find local information about terminal charges, storage, demurrage and documentation services, in All Pakistan Oncarriage.

To make things as easy as possible, we have provided this information in detail.  If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact your local agency who will be happy to help.

For more information you can check the following: 

Detention, demurrage, Per Diem and storage charges

What is detention?

Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s full container inside the marine terminal, railroad facilities or container yard.

What is demurrage?

Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside the terminal for the use of the land. 
 
What is Per Diem?

Per Diem is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s container (full or empty) outside the marine terminal, rail ramp or container yard.  
 

SOLAS VGM information

What is VGM?

Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.

Government approval status

 

  • Terminal (DPW + KICT) will accept container at Gates without VGM, terminal will weigh the container after gate in as per shipper request and send VGM to Carrier.
  • Method 2 subject to certification by government.
  • All four provinces of Pakistan are enforced by Ordinance or Acts. It is responsibility of weighing instrument operator to ensure that equipment has a maintenance procedure, calibration and records are kept as laid down in Ordinance / Act.
  • MSC Pakistan is contemplating penalties beyond tolerance level usd150 upto 3 tons, usd300 upto 3-5 tons, usd500 upto 5 tons and above per container.
  • Govt will impose penalties on mis declaration on the basis of regulation as per Merchant Shipping Ordinance 2001 .
  • Threshold +/- 5% of VGM of a container.
  • The authority in charge for Solas implementation is Directorate General Ports & Shipping (DGP&S)

 

What to include in your VGM instructions

 

The following items are mandatory and must be on all VGM instructions.

  • Booking or Bill of Lading number
  • Container number
  • VGM + unit
  • Authorized person’s signatory (submitter of the VGM who may be authorized to act on behalf of shippers
  • Responsible party Name

 

How to submit your VGM instructions

 

  • EDI (via INTTRA)
  • Standard shipping instruction signed.

 

Deadlines for sending your VGM instructions

 

VGM cut-off will be separately advised by MSC Pakistan for each vessel. 
VGM cut-off different from Documentation & container cut off.

 

Admin Fees and costs

 

  • There are no administration charges imposed by MSC for the moment. Should there be any fees we will share with you.
  • Extra costs for failing to timely provide VGM as per
  • Carrier’s VGM cut-off shall be the Actual Cost incurred at terminal for additional handling of the units + penalty for late submission

 

Recommendations

 

  • From Governments procedures shipper must keep the VGM records
  • MSC Pakistan should be informed in advance about the appointment of 3rd parties to provide the VGM.
  • Terminal (DPW + KICT)  will gate in and weigh as per shipper request and send VGM to Carrier.

 

Contact information

 

Customer Desk services

MSC contact person

Prohibited cargo

It is illegal to bring the following items into or out of Pakistan
 

Imports

 

  • Alcohol and alcoholic beverages
  • Matches
  • Banknotes in denominations of 50 and 100 rupees or more
  • Certain ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and further chemical substances
  • Hospital waste and hazardous waste as defined by the Basel Convention
  • Certain factory rejects and goods of job lot or of sub-standard quality
  • Live animals (i.e. cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats) and certain animal products originating in BSE-infected countries
  • Certain poultry and poultry products from certain countries on account of avian influenza
  • Edible products not fit for human consumption
  • Goods bearing obscene pictures, writings, inscriptions or visible representations
  • Goods containing ingredients or parts which may be repugnant to the injunctions of Islam (e.g. pigs) as well as anti-Islamic or subversive media and translations of the Holy Quran not containing Arabic text
  • Certain goods in used condition (e.g. vegetable ghee, cooking oil, lubricating, hydraulic and transformer oils, similar oils or waste oils, sewerage pipes, chemical containers)
  • Certain compressed natural gas cylinders and conversion kits
  • Precious metals (except as raw materials for jewellery production and subsequent exportation, please see the section on Precious Metals below)
  • Imports from Israel or with Israeli origin and certain imports from India or with Indian origin
  • Diamonds from the Ivory Coast.

 

There are a number of other restrictions in place. To find out more, click the link below.

 

Exports

 

  • Artefacts and culturally important items

To view a full list of prohibited and restricted items please visit the links below:

Procedures and formalities
I
mport and export regulations

List of terminals 

Ports and terminals
MSC operates services to and from the following ports and terminals in Pakistan, with local teams in each location to support our customers.

 

 Port of Loading  Terminal 1  
 Port Muhammad Bin Qasim Qasim International Container Terminal 
Karachi Pakistan International Container Terminal