China and Pakistan are important partners in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the demand for logistics and transportation is increasing year by year. With the advancement of the “Belt and Road” initiative, a large number of Chinese-made products are exported to the Pakistani market. This article will introduce the logistics between the two countries in detail.
Learn more: Shipping from China to India
How to Ship from China to Pakistan
The main choice of transportation method from China to Pakistan is based on the characteristics and needs of the goods. The following are the characteristics of different transportation methods:
Sea Freight
Sea transportation has extremely low freight rates and strong volume transportation capacity: it can load full boxes or oversized goods at low cost, and can transport all kinds of goods, including dangerous goods. It can be transported in closed or special storage containers for safe transportation. Environmentally friendly, the unit transportation carbon emissions are significantly lower than air transportation.
| Shipping Mode | Cost (USD, July 2025) | Transit Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Freight (Less than Container Load) | $60-$90/CBM | 15-22 days | Suitable for small batches of goods, you only need to pay for the actual space occupied |
| Sea Freight (20-foot container) | $2,600 | 12–18 days | Sharp price rise for July; best for medium to large FCL loads to Karachi. |
| Sea Freight (40-foot container) | $3,800 | 12–118 days | Preferred for bulk/high-volume cargo; book early due to July space crunch. |
Air Freight
Air transportation is fast, time-efficient, safe, and has frequent flights and is more reliable. There are many cargo restrictions. Special items such as large machinery, liquids or batteries may not be transported by air, and the packaging and temperature control requirements are high.
| Shipping Mode | Cost (July 2025) | Transit Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight (1,000kgs+ to Karachi) | $5.00 per kg | 4–7 days | Best for urgent, high-value, or sensitive shipments—rates stable but elevated. |
Whether transporting from China to Pakistan by air or sea, the following steps must be followed:
Prepare export documents
Before arranging the shipment, you must first prepare basic export documents. Usually, these documents include commercial invoices, packing lists, contracts, customs declaration documents, and certificates of origin, MSDS, safety certifications, etc. that may be required depending on the product type.
Choose a mode of transport and contact a freight forwarder
According to the volume, weight, value of the goods and the customer’s timeliness requirements, choose a suitable mode of transport and contact an experienced freight forwarder to confirm whether the transport plan includes customs declaration, customs clearance, double clearance and tax package, door-to-door and other services to avoid additional responsibilities or costs in the middle of the journey.
China export customs declaration
After the goods are ready, the exporter or freight forwarder will make a formal customs declaration at the Chinese customs. The customs will review the declared product name, HS code, value and other information.
International transportation and tracking
After completing the customs declaration, the goods will be shipped according to the mode of transport, and the transportation progress can be tracked online by the bill of lading number or waybill number.
Pakistan customs clearance
After the goods arrive in Pakistan, the consignee or local customs clearance agent must submit an import declaration. Pay the corresponding import taxes and fees based on the customs valuation.
Pickup and delivery
After customs clearance, the goods can be picked up by the consignee, ensuring that the goods are delivered to the designated warehouse or store on time and safely.
Shipping Time from China to Pakistan
The timeliness of shipping from China to Pakistan is mainly determined by the mode of transportation, and is also affected by the following factors. The factors affecting the transportation time are as follows:
- Weather conditions: Bad weather affects sea and air transportation.
- Port congestion: Causes serious delays, especially sea transportation.
- Customs delays: The most unpredictable factor affecting transportation time.
Sea transportation is mainly from major ports in China (such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai) to Karachi or Port Qasim, which usually takes 12 to 20 days
Air transportation is transported from major airports in China to Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan-political and economic centers, convenient air transportation
| Shipping Mode | Estimated Transit Time | Cost vs Speed | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Freight | 12 to 20 days | Most cost-effective | Bulky, non-urgent items |
| Air Freight | 4 to 5 days | Balance of cost and speed | Time-sensitive shipments |
Shipping Cost from China to Pakistan
The logistics costs of shipping from China to Pakistan vary depending on many different factors, including the mode of transportation. The following are the factors that affect the costs of several major modes of transportation:
- The distance between ports and whether the route is direct
- Shipment schedule and capacity (prices fluctuate greatly during peak season)
- Customs policy and inspection rate
- Whether inland transshipment is required (such as Karachi to Lahore)
- Cargo volume/weight (heavy and light cargo have different prices)
- Whether it is dangerous goods or special categories
Sea Freight Range:
Ocean freight costs are generally charged at different rates according to service types FCL and LCL. FCL is charged according to the size of the container, and LCL is charged according to the weight of the goods. The costs are generally composed of the following parts:
- Freight (priced by ton or cubic meter)
- Customs clearance fee (China/Pakistan)
- Transit/loading and unloading fee
- Port inspection fee, security deposit
- Fuel surcharge
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Karachi | $2050-$3350 | $3500-$5000 |
| Shenzhen | Karachi | $1900-$3500 | $3450-$4950 |
| Ningbo | Karachi | $2000-$3400 | $3650-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Qasim | $1950-$2450 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Qasim | $1900-$3300 | $3500-$5000 |
| Ningbo | Qasim | $2050-$3650 | $3450-$5050 |
Air Freight Range:
Air freight costs are usually calculated based on the billable weight (actual weight vs. volume weight, usually charged based on volume weight, volume weight = length × width × height / 6000), and are generally composed of the following costs:
- Freight (air freight)
- Aviation security inspection fee, manifest fee
- Customs clearance and inspection fee
- Airport operation fee (airport loading and unloading, palletizing, etc.)
- Customs clearance and delivery fee on the Pakistani side
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Pakistan) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Karachi Jinnah | $5.0 – $7.6 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Karachi Jinnah | $5.0 – $8.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Karachi Jinnah | $5.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Islamabad | $5.5 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Islamabad | $6.0 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Islamabad | $5.5 – $8.8 |
Import Taxes and Duties in Pakistan
Tariffs are an important expense in shipping plans. Pakistan imposes a variety of tariffs and taxes on imported goods, depending on the type of goods, HS code, country of origin (whether it is a free trade agreement country), etc.
| Product Category | Import Duty Range | July 2025 Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 10%–20% | Extra scrutiny on mobile devices, laptops, and home appliances—strict enforcement of anti-dumping duties this month. |
| Textiles and Garments | 10%–15% | Strong competition with local producers; ensure accurate classification to avoid disputes. |
| Automobiles | Up to 125% for cars, 10%–15% for components | July sees increased controls on luxury and commercial vehicle imports. |
| Machinery | 7.5%–10% | Frequent revaluation checks in July—have all technical specs on hand. |
| Plastics | About 10% | Priority inspection for chemical and industrial raw materials. |
| Chemicals | 5%–10% | Special permits may be required for medical imports this month. |
| Agricultural Products | 5%–40% | Seasonal variation—July often brings higher tariffs for imported produce. |
| Precious Metals | 10%–12.5% | Extra vigilance and paperwork for gold, silver, and other precious metals. |
Customs Clearance Documents for Shipping from China to Pakistan
When transporting goods from China to Pakistan, the preparation of customs clearance documents is a very critical part of the entire process. Documents required for customs clearance of imports from Pakistan:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB)
- Certificate of Origin (COO, Form P or FTA Certificate)
- Import License (required for some goods)
- Inspection Certificate (such as SGS, PSI)
Notes on customs clearance:
- Pakistan customs is strict, and some goods need to apply for import licenses in advance (such as food and medicine).
- Tariff calculation: based on CIF value (cost + insurance + freight).
- Avoid delays: Documents must be accurate, otherwise the goods may be detained or fined.
How to Choose Reliable Freight Forwarder?
Choosing a reliable international freight forwarder is crucial to ensure that the goods are transported to the destination smoothly, safely and in compliance with regulations. The following are key factors for selection:
Experience in China-Pakistan transportation
Familiar with CPEC policies and Pakistan customs clearance rules.
Rich service types
Provide sea, air, land, and double clearance to door (DDP) services.
Transparent prices
Avoid hidden costs and provide detailed quotations.
Good customer reputation
Check customer reviews to see if the goods are delivered on time.
Value-added services
Cargo tracking, insurance, and packaging reinforcement services.
As China-Pakistan trade continues to heat up, logistics and transportation have become an important part of cross-border business. By following this article, you can improve your transportation efficiency by choosing the right transportation method, understanding customs clearance requirements, and cooperating with a reliable freight forwarder.