Pakistan bans import of luxury goods

High-end foreign-made footwear is among a wide range of luxury products currently being kept out of Pakistan.

The Federal government of Pakistan has imposed a ban on the importation of ‘luxury goods’. This measure is being reported as a preventive step to help control the escalating hike in the US dollar’s value against the rupee.

According to minister for information and broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, a complete ban of at least two months has been imposed on the import of all non-essential luxury items that are not used by the wider public. She added that alongside other fiscal measures, this step would help save critical foreign exchange reserves which could total USD 6 billion (GBP 4.9 billion) annually.

High-tickets footwear is among the many imports prohibited by the order. Other products include cars, mobile (cellular) phones, cosmetics, home appliances, kitchenware and carpets – except for those from Afghanistan – lighting, pet food, sanitary and bathroom ware, luxury leather apparel and shampoos. The legislation also bars the importation of confectionery, chocolates and ice cream, fresh and frozen fish, jams and jelly, fruits and dry fruits (with imports from Afghanistan again exempted), juices, pasta, travelling bags, suitcases and cigarettes.

The ban does not apply to imports which have a bill of lading or an irrevocable letter of credit issued before 19th May 2022. Pakistani customs officers will enforce the ban at all points of entry – including, it is said, by checking personal luggage.

The Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) has expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. Its chairman Mr Zahid Hussain believes that the measure ‘will help to save precious foreign exchange, besides arresting the hike in dollar price’. The PFMA also considers that a ban on the import of foreign-made footwear would achieve a strengthening of local manufacturing, as well as being able to generate more employment in the sector.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 3 of the June 2022 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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