Pakistan Allows Iran to Import Third-Country Goods Through Its Territory

Pakistan has notified six transit routes for the transportation of goods to Iran under an encashable bank guarantee, as thousands of containers bound for the neighboring country remain stuck at local ports.

The Ministry of Commerce issued the Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order, 2026, to formalize the arrangement, with the order taking effect from April 25.

The move comes amid reports that more than 3,000 containers destined for Iran have been awaiting clearance at Karachi port for the past several days, as disruptions linked to regional tensions and restrictions on Iranian ports have strained cargo flows.

Under the new order, Pakistan has designated six routes for transit trade to Iran, including corridors linking Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar with the Gabd and Taftan border points.

The designated routes are Gwadar-Gabd; Karachi/Port Qasim-Lyari-Ormara-Pasni-Gabd; Karachi/Port Qasim-Khuzdar-Dalbandin-Taftan; Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab-Panjgur-Nagg-Besima-Khuzdar-Quetta/Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan; Gwadar-Liari-Khuzdar-Quetta/Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan; and Karachi/Port Qasim-Gwadar-Gabd.

The ministry said cargo movement under the notification would be regulated in accordance with the Customs Act, 1969, related rules and procedures prescribed by the Federal Board of Revenue.

According to the order, the arrangement applies to transit goods consigned from a third country and destined for Iran through Pakistani territory.

The ministry said the order had been issued under the 2008 agreement between Pakistan and Iran on the international road transport of passengers and goods, as well as under powers granted by the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950.

The framework also defines customs security as an encashable financial guarantee submitted by traders or their authorized brokers for an amount equivalent to Pakistan’s import levies on transit goods.

It further allows cross-stuffing, or the transfer of goods from one container to another or through another mode of transportation, in accordance with customs laws and regulations.

The decision follows disruption in regional shipping flows after the conflict between the US and Iran, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and has since paused under a ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas supplies, has also remained under heightened scrutiny during the crisis.

The new transit arrangement is expected to provide an alternative route for Iran-bound cargo and help ease congestion at Pakistani ports.