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.
According to a news release issued on Thursday, the All-Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA), in a formal communication dated January 12, 2026, confirmed that all member shipping lines are now charging freight and related fees strictly on the basis of exchange rates issued by their authorized commercial banks, in line with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regulations.
This development follows sustained engagement by a high-level committee constituted by Pakistan Customs, which held extensive consultations with shipping agents, terminal operators, trade bodies, and major international shipping companies to address industry concerns.
As a key milestone, Maersk, the largest shipping line operating in Pakistan and responsible for nearly 26 percent of the country’s total cargo movement, had already begun applying official bank exchange rates, setting a benchmark for the wider industry.
Written confirmations of compliance have since been received from leading global shipping lines and their local agents, including Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express (ONE), COSCO Shipping, CMA CGM, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), OOCL, and United Marine Agencies, ensuring full industry-wide adherence.
For years, exporters and traders had raised concerns over inflated dollar rates used in shipping charges, which increased business costs and hurt export competitiveness. The new measure is expected to lower costs, enhance transparency, and restore confidence in Pakistan’s trade and logistics sector, reinforcing the FBR’s commitment to ease of doing business and export-led growth.