The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) department, Pakistan Customs, has achieved a historic milestone by enforcing shipping charges for the shipping industry in accordance with official bank exchange rates.
According to FBR sources, the implementation of shipping charges based on official bank exchange rates has put an end to the arbitrary and excessive billing practices previously adopted by international shipping lines. Sources claim that the All Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA) formally confirmed in writing on January 12, 2026, that all its member shipping lines are now charging shipping fees strictly on the basis of exchange rates provided by their respective authorized commercial banks, in line with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regulations.
This development is the result of sustained efforts by a high-level committee established by Pakistan Customs, which held extensive consultations with shipping agents, terminal operators, trade bodies, and international shipping lines.
Maersk, the largest shipping line operating in Pakistan and handling approximately 26 percent of the country’s total cargo, has already implemented the official bank exchange rate, setting a benchmark for the entire shipping industry.
Written confirmations of compliance have also been received from other major international shipping lines, their local agents, and related companies, stating that the entire shipping industry is now fully complying with the exchange rates prescribed by the State Bank of Pakistan.
It is noteworthy that for several years, traders and exporters had raised serious concerns over the application of inflated and arbitrary dollar exchange rates by shipping lines, which were often significantly higher than the rates announced by the State Bank of Pakistan. This practice led to a substantial increase in business costs, adversely affected export competitiveness, and created uncertainty regarding shipping charges.
It is expected that this measure will significantly reduce cost pressures on traders and exporters, ensure transparency in shipping charges, and help restore confidence within the business community.
