Pakistan Baggage Rules 2026: What You Can Bring Duty-Free
Pakistan Baggage Allowance Checker
Based on the Baggage Rules, 2006 (S.R.O. 666(I)/2006, as amended). Rules last verified: 9 October 2026.
Estimate only. This checker explains the published rules in simple words. Customs officers make the final decision at the airport. Confirm with Pakistan Customs / FBR before you travel. Nothing you enter here is saved or sent anywhere.
Sources: Baggage Rules, 2006 (S.R.O. 666(I)/2006) as amended incl. S.R.O. 689(I)/2019 and S.R.O. 2201(I)/2022; FBR Customs General Order 01/2019 (amended 2024). Rules last verified: 9 Oct 2026.
Use the checker above to see your own allowance. Tick what is in your bags and it shows what is duty-free, what is taxed and what is banned.
The rules in one minute
Pakistan's passenger rules are the Baggage Rules, 2006. The FBR made them under section 219 of the Customs Act, 1969. They have been changed a few times since. The big changes for travellers are:
- The duty-free mobile phone allowance was removed in 2019.
- New cash limits for leaving Pakistan came in December 2022.
- A 2024 draft that would have capped baggage at US$1,200 was withdrawn by the FBR.
Two things decide your allowance: how long you stayed abroad and whether this is your first visit this year.
Who gets which allowance
| Your situation | What applies | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Abroad 7 days or less | Only things in your personal use, plus a laptop you use | Rule 3A proviso, Rule 15(e) |
| Abroad more than 7 days | Personal items list (below) | Rule 3A |
| First visit of the calendar year | Personal items + first-visit extras + US$500 | Rule 3B, Rule 18 |
| Coming back for good (2+ years abroad) | Everything above + household goods and more | Rule 2(d), Rule 4 |
| Foreign national or tourist | Personal items + US$100 extra | Rule 6 |
Duty-free on any visit (more than 7 days abroad)
- Your clothes and clothing accessories
- Personal adornments, toiletries and an electric shaver in use
- Medals, trophies and prizes you won
- One electric iron, one hair dryer and one hair dresser
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or half a kilo of tobacco
- Your child's pushcart, toys and personal things
- One wheelchair for personal use
- One wrist watch
A laptop and its accessories in your use are allowed even if you were abroad for less than 7 days.
Extra items on your first visit of the year
On top of the list above, your first arrival in a calendar year also covers:
- One radio or simple tape recorder (not hi-fi or home theatre)
- One DVD/VCD player or similar
- One still camera and one video camera
- Personal jewellery "in reasonable quantity" (no gram limit is written; see our gold guide)
- Professional tools up to US$500
- Tabarrakat (religious items)
- One desktop or laptop computer in personal use
- Other goods up to US$500 in value
Never duty-free under the US$500: television, deep freezer, refrigerator, microwave oven, cooking range, washing machine and air conditioner. You pay duty and taxes on these.
Shopping at Pakistan's duty-free shops
You can also buy goods worth up to US$500 from a duty-free shop in Pakistan within 60 days of arrival. Perfumes, toiletries, cosmetics and food are capped at US$75 each. If you are coming back for good, the shop limit is US$1,000.
Coming back for good (Transfer of Residence)
Transfer of Residence means returning after 2 years or more abroad. You get everything above, plus:
- Old and used furniture, crockery, kitchen items, carpets, bedding and other household goods.
- One each of TV, deep freezer, fridge, microwave, cooking range, washing machine and AC at 50% of the duty and taxes.
- Professional tools and equipment up to US$5,000.
- Used medical equipment for PMDC-registered doctors (with an inspection certificate).
Husband and wife travelling together can combine these allowances. Short visits home during the 2 years can sometimes be excused: up to 2 months by an Assistant Collector, up to 4 months in total by an Additional Collector.
Bonus for FERC card holders
If you hold a Foreign Exchange Remittance Card, you get a duty credit once a calendar year. It cannot be used on vehicles.
| Card | Remitted in the year | Duty credit |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | US$2,500+ | Rs10,000 |
| Silver Plus | US$5,000+ | Rs20,000 |
| Golden | US$10,000+ | Rs30,000 |
| Golden Plus | US$25,000+ | Rs50,000 |
| Platinum | US$50,000+ | Rs100,000 |
What gets you into trouble
- Commercial quantity. Many pieces of the same thing lose all allowances. You pay full duty plus a 30% redemption fine.
- Prohibited goods. Arms and ammunition, alcohol, obscene or subversive material, and fake branded goods.
- Late unaccompanied baggage. It must reach Pakistan within 60 days of your arrival and come from the country you lived in.
- Not declaring. If you have anything taxable, use the red channel.
Phones, gold, cash and cars
These have their own rules. Read our guides on bringing a phone (PTA tax and the 120-day rule), how much gold you can bring, cash limits and importing a car in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is one mobile phone duty-free in Pakistan?
No. The duty-free phone allowance was removed from the Baggage Rules in 2019. You either pay the taxes through PTA DIRBS, or overseas Pakistanis can use the free temporary registration for one phone for up to 120 days.
What is the US$500 allowance?
On your first visit of the calendar year, after more than 7 days abroad, you can bring other goods worth up to US$500 duty-free. TVs, fridges, freezers, microwaves, cooking ranges, washing machines and ACs are not covered.
How many cigarettes can I bring?
200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or half a kilogram of tobacco, if you stayed abroad more than 7 days.
Can I bring two laptops?
The Rules list one laptop in use and one desktop or laptop in personal use on your first visit. A second extra computer may be taxed or counted in the US$500 allowance. The officer decides.
Was the US$1,200 baggage limit brought in?
No. The FBR said the draft S.R.O. 2028(I)/2024, which proposed a US$1,200 limit for commercial quantity, was withdrawn.
What counts as coming back for good?
Returning to Pakistan after staying abroad for 2 years or more. This is called Transfer of Residence.
Sources
- Baggage Rules, 2006 — S.R.O. 666(I)/2006 (FBR copy) Rules 2–18, notified 28 June 2006 under s.219 Customs Act 1969 Official
- Baggage Rules, 2006 — amended consolidated copy (CustomsNews.pk) Shows Rule 3A(viii) mobile allowance omitted by S.R.O. 689(I)/2019 and Rule 3C US$75 proviso
- S.R.O. 2201(I)/2022 — amendment to Baggage Rules rule 7A (FBR) Rule 7A(2) Tables A & B, new sub-rules, Appendix-C; 12 Dec 2022 Official
- FBR press release: draft SRO on commercial quantity withdrawn Draft S.R.O. 2028(I)/2024 (US$1,200 limit) withdrawn Official
Estimate and information only, not legal or tax advice. Customs and FBR make the final decision. Spotted a rule change? Tell us.