Car imports in Pakistan rose about 36% in July and August 2026. New and used motor car imports reached $81.4 million, against about $59 million in the same two months a year earlier.
The figures come from Pakistan Bureau of Statistics external trade data as cited in reporting.
| Period | Motor car imports |
|---|---|
| July–August 2025 | About $59 million |
| July–August 2026 | $81.4 million |
| Change | About +36% |
Covers new and used motor cars over a two-month period.
Why Are Car Imports Increasing?
No single cause has been established. Reporting points to several factors working together.
New entrants importing before local assembly. Brands entering the market often bring in completely built-up (CBU) vehicles first and localise later. That pattern is visible right now see our coverage of the BYD plant in Pakistan and the Geely car in Pakistan entry.
Electrified models arriving through the CBU route. Most EVs and hybrids on sale here are still imported rather than assembled locally, and demand for them has been climbing along with fuel costs as covered in our look at EVs in Pakistan.
Used vehicles. Used-car imports have continued to form part of the total, despite changes to the import schemes earlier in 2026.
New and Used Car Imports
The $81.4 million figure covers both new and used motor cars, which is worth keeping in mind when reading the headline. It reflects the value of what came in, not the number of vehicles a smaller number of expensive imports and a larger number of cheap ones can produce the same total, and the data as reported does not separate them.
Import Duty on Cars in Pakistan
Duty is the single biggest reason imported cars cost what they do here. An imported vehicle attracts customs duty along with other taxes, and the rates rise steeply with engine capacity which is why small-engine imports are far more common than large ones.
This is also why the CBU versus CKD distinction matters so much. A completely built-up import faces the full duty structure; a locally assembled vehicle built from kits is taxed differently, which is precisely what pushes manufacturers toward local assembly once volumes justify it.
Rates change with each budget and policy revision, so rather than quoting figures that may already be out of date, see our coverage of the Pakistan Auto Policy 2026-31 and car import duties, and confirm current rates with a clearing agent or the FBR before planning an import.
Import of Used Cars in Pakistan
Used vehicles have historically entered Pakistan through personal schemes rather than commercial imports. Reporting indicates the baggage scheme was abolished earlier in 2026, while other routes remain.
Eligibility rules, age limits and documentation requirements for these schemes change often and getting them wrong is expensive. If you are considering importing a used car, verify the current position with official sources before committing any money this article is not a guide to the procedure.
Car Import Policy in Pakistan
Policy is in flux. The proposed auto policy framework for 2026–31 includes gradual tariff reform and rules covering commercial imports of used vehicles, but it has not been notified. Our coverage of the Pakistan Auto Policy 2026-31 latest update sets out where that process currently stands and why anything written today could change on notification.
Imports vs Local Assembly
Rising imports do not necessarily mean local assembly is losing ground. Locally assembled sales also recovered strongly this year see our report on Pakistan car sales in July 2026.
Both rising at once suggests a market growing overall rather than one segment displacing another. Several of the imports are also, in effect, advance work for future local production brands testing demand before committing to a plant. The new cars in Pakistan 2026 list shows how many nameplates have arrived in a short span.
What It Means for Buyers
More choice, and more competitive pressure on established players that is the upside. The caution is that an imported model's long-term ownership case depends on parts availability, service support and warranty, which take longer to build than an import shipment takes to arrive. Ask about all three before buying something newly arrived.
Protecting an Imported Car
If you are bringing in a vehicle, exterior protection is worth planning before it reaches the road. Paint Protection Film (PPF) helps shield painted surfaces from stone chips, road debris and everyday wear and on an imported car, where panel replacement can be slow and costly, that matters more than usual.
Final Thoughts
Car imports in Pakistan reached $81.4 million in July and August 2026, up about 36% year on year, driven by a mix of new entrants, electrified models and continuing used-vehicle imports. With local sales also recovering and the auto policy still unsettled, the next few months will say a lot more about where the market is heading than any single two-month figure.
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