Islamabad, January 15, 2026 – Pakistan Customs has secured a major regulatory win by enforcing the use of official bank exchange rates on shipping charges, effectively ending the long-standing practice of arbitrary and inflated billing by international shipping lines. The move is expected to provide significant relief to traders and exporters across the country.
(more…)Author: Shahnawaz Akhter
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FED on air travel becomes major revenue driver for FBR in FY25
Islamabad, January 15, 2026 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reported that Federal Excise Duty (FED) collections saw significant growth in fiscal year 2024-25, with air travel emerging as a key contributor to revenue gains.
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Pakistan Customs cracks down: importers face freezing of GDs for missing documents
Karachi, January 15, 2026 – Pakistan Customs has issued a strict warning to importers, stating that the processing of Goods Declarations (GDs) will be frozen if required documents are incomplete or missing.
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FBR’s Sales Tax Refund Rules for Pharmaceutical Sector in Pakistan – 2026
To ensure timely liquidity and uninterrupted supply of essential medicines, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced sector-specific sales tax refund rules for the pharmaceutical industry under the Sales Tax Rules, 2006 (updated for 2026).
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Sales Tax Refunds for Exporters: FBR Special Rules for 2026 Explained
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced special priority-based rules under the Sales Tax Rules, 2006 (updated for tax year 2026) to ensure faster and automated sales tax refunds for exporters. These rules are designed to improve liquidity, reduce delays, and minimize human intervention through digital processing systems.
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What Documents Are Required for Correct Sales Tax Refund Claims in 2026?
Obtaining a sales tax refund from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) remains a challenging process for many taxpayers in Pakistan. However, refund rejection can largely be avoided if the claim is filed correctly with complete and compliant supporting documents.
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SAI criticizes cross-subsidy burden on industrial power tariffs
Karachi, January 14, 2026 – The SITE Association of Industry (SAI) has strongly criticized the continued imposition of cross-subsidy on industrial electricity tariffs, warning that the policy is eroding industrial competitiveness, discouraging investment and hindering sustainable economic growth.
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How Importers Can Claim Sales Tax Refund in Tax Year 2026
Importers in Pakistan often pay excess sales tax at the clearance stage due to errors, incorrect valuation, or subsequent relief granted by appellate authorities. To address this, the Sales Tax Rules, 2006 (updated for Tax Year 2026) provide a clear mechanism for claiming import-related sales tax refunds under Rule 34A.
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Sales Tax Refunds Against Zero-Rated and Non-Zero-Rated Supplies – Tax Year 2026
The Sales Tax Rules, 2006, as updated for Tax Year 2026, clearly define the eligibility, scope, and procedure for claiming sales tax refunds on zero-rated supplies and non-zero-rated (taxable) supplies under Rule 33 and Rule 34. Understanding the distinction is critical to avoid claim rejections and audit issues.
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Processing of Refund Claims through STARR Channel – Tax Year 2026
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has streamlined the processing of sales tax refund claims through the STARR (Sales Tax Automated Refund Repository) channel under Rule 30 and Rule 31 of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, as updated for Tax Year 2026. This digital mechanism aims to enhance transparency, reduce delays, and ensure faster disbursement of legitimate refunds.
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