Islamabad, June 29, 2025 – In a landmark move towards digitizing cargo movement and improving trade transparency, the federal government has introduced a formal e-bilty mechanism for tracking goods across Pakistan.
This initiative, brought under the Finance Act, 2025, inserts a new Section 83C into the Customs Act, 1969, with implementation set to begin from July 1, 2025.
Under the new framework, the e-bilty system will serve as a central component of the national Cargo Tracking System, allowing authorities to digitally record, monitor, and validate cargo in transit across seaports, dry ports, land border stations, and inland routes. This reform is expected to strengthen supply chain visibility, curb smuggling, and enhance tax compliance.
According to Section 83C, any individual or entity involved in the transportation of goods—including consignors, shipping agents, transporters, freight forwarders, consignees, suppliers, and recipients—must electronically generate and display an e-bilty during the movement of cargo. This e-bilty will be authenticated and managed through a centralized tracking system established by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
To support this mechanism, the FBR is empowered to define the operational procedures, adopt relevant technology, and levy charges for the maintenance of the tracking infrastructure. This will ensure real-time surveillance and digital documentation of goods en route, bringing cargo operations in line with international best practices.
Any violation of this provision—including the failure to carry or generate an e-bilty—will subject the cargo, conveyance, and associated parties to penalties, fines, seizure, or even confiscation under the applicable laws of the Customs Act.
However, exemptions have also been outlined. No e-bilty is required where the value of goods or the travel distance falls below the limit specified by the Board, or where the goods are explicitly exempted from the e-bilty regime.
The integration of the e-bilty and tracking system under the Finance Act, 2025 is expected to revolutionize cargo oversight in Pakistan by enabling efficient, secure, and traceable trade operations while deterring illicit movement of goods.