Pakistan Bans Export of 212 items to Afghanistan after Imposing Import Fees

According to ARY News on Thursday, the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce has prohibited the export of 212 products to Afghanistan.

The nation has imposed export restrictions on 17 different clothing categories, all types of tyres for vehicles, tea leaves, cosmetics, and a variety of toiletries. Similar restrictions apply to the importation of nuts, dried and fresh fruits, and home appliances such as juicers, mixers, freezers, and air conditioners as per export import data.

The restriction comes a day after Pakistan charged a 10% processing fee for a number of imports made in accordance with the transit trade deal with Afghanistan.

A notification issued by the customs department stated: "In exercise of the powers conferred by section 18D of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), the Federal Government is pleased to impose processing fee at the rate of ten per cent ad valorem on the following Afghan transit Commercial goods imported into Afghanistan in transit via Pakistan."

Confectionery, chocolate, footwear, different machines, blankets, textiles for the home, and clothing are among the things that are impacted. Pakistan has developed a fresh plan to reduce budgetary losses caused by the transit trade with Afghanistan.

The Special Investment Facilitations Council (SIFC) apex committee's recommendations led to the Pakistani government's decision to stop the smuggling of luxury goods through the Afghan transit trade.

As reported by ARY News, the documents state that until they have received approval from the appropriate authorities, a number of luxury commodities, including tyres, fabrics, cosmetics, tiles, and other products, cannot be exported.