Karachi, February 13, 2025 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially issued a notification detailing the list of prohibited goods for foreign trade for the tax year 2025.
This notification, in accordance with Section 15 of the updated Customs Act, 1969, outlines the categories of goods that are strictly forbidden from being imported into or exported from Pakistan.
According to the FBR, the prohibited goods include the following:
1. Counterfeit Currency and Coins:
o Counterfeit coins, forged or fake currency notes, and any other counterfeit monetary items are strictly banned.
2. Obscene and Inappropriate Materials:
o Materials such as obscene books, pamphlets, papers, drawings, paintings, photographs, films, videos, audio recordings, CDs, or content in any other format are not allowed for trade.
3. Infringing Goods with Counterfeit Trademarks:
o Goods with counterfeit trademarks, as defined under Pakistan’s intellectual property laws, including the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, and the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001, are prohibited.
4. Misleading Product Origin:
o Items manufactured outside Pakistan that display a Pakistani name or trademark without clearly indicating their true origin are prohibited. The country of origin must be displayed prominently in the same language and size as the brand name.
5. Copyright-Infringing Products:
o Goods that infringe on copyrights, including intellectual property protected under the Copyright Ordinance, 1962, and related laws, are strictly banned.
6. Unauthorized Replicas and Imitations:
o Products imitating protected designs, patents, or layouts without the permission of the registered owner are not permitted.
The FBR emphasized the importance of complying with these regulations to prevent violations of intellectual property rights and to uphold trade integrity. Any infringement of these rules will be adjudicated by customs officials under Section 179 of the Customs Act.
The FBR reiterated that these prohibitions are crucial for maintaining lawful international trade practices. Traders and businesses are advised to consult the latest FBR guidelines to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties.
The FBR remains committed to regulating Pakistan’s foreign trade in line with global standards while safeguarding intellectual property and public interests.