Temporary Exemption of Afghanistan’s Exports to Pakistan from Certificate of Origin Requirement

Following successful negotiations between Pakistani customs authorities and representatives of the country’s trading community, it has been decided that imports from Afghanistan to Pakistan will be temporarily exempt from the requirement to present a certificate of origin until June 30, 2025.

This decision aims to facilitate bilateral trade and address bottlenecks at the Torkham border crossing. According to Pakistani media reports, the temporary exemption was prompted by the stranding of 667 trucks carrying Afghan exports at Torkham due to the absence of the required certificate of origin, which had halted their clearance.

Azad Mehdi, a senior official at Pakistan’s customs service, stated that productive discussions were held with a delegation of traders regarding the mandatory certificate of origin for imports from Afghanistan. He clarified that under the regulations of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), a certificate of origin is mandatory for all Afghan imports. However, a special exemption has been granted for certain commodities, including cotton, beans, coal, and soapstone, to ease trade in these goods. This temporary measure allows traders to clear their consignments until June 30 by submitting a written undertaking in lieu of the certificate of origin.

The decision is expected to significantly impact trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as Torkham serves as a critical commercial artery between the two nations. The prolonged detention of hundreds of trucks at the border had caused delays in goods delivery and created logistical and economic challenges for traders and transporters. The temporary exemption provides traders with an opportunity to supply their goods to the Pakistani market without bureaucratic hurdles, thereby boosting cross-border commerce.

Pakistani customs authorities have emphasized that this exemption is valid only until June 30, 2025. After this deadline, all imports from Afghanistan, without exception, must be accompanied by a certificate of origin.

This requirement underscores the need for traders to align with Pakistan’s customs regulations within the given timeframe. The temporary measure is anticipated to enhance trade relations, reduce border tensions, and support smoother commercial operations between the two neighboring countries in the short term.