Pakistan implements digital reforms for plant quarantine and air cargo

Pakistan is implementing significant digital reforms to its trade and quarantine systems. The government has amended the Pakistan Plant Quarantine Rules of 2019, introducing a new fee structure and mandating all payments be processed through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) system.

The updated quarantine rules establish specific per-ton rates for biosecurity clearance based on goods type, ranging from Rs55 to Rs28,000 for items like betel nuts. To manage inflation, the rules include a mechanism for automatic annual fee adjustments starting July 1, 2027, which will align rates with the Pakistani Rupee’s value relative to the U.S. dollar.

In a parallel move to modernize logistics, the PSW and the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to digitalize Cargo Throughput Charges (CTC) for air import consignments. This replaces a manual, paper-based system that required physical document submission and cash payments at banks. The new electronic process will launch at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on August 27, 2026, before expanding nationwide to improve transparency and reduce business costs.