Introduction
Online shopping has made it very easy to order anything from any place in the world.. Before you click “buy” on an international website and have it sent to Pakistan there is one question you must ask yourself: is this product allowed to be brought into the country?
Every year many packages are taken at ports and airports because the person who ordered did not check if the item they bought is on the list of things that cannot be imported. In this post we will explain exactly what happens to the product and to the person who tried to bring it in using an example to show how serious the situation can be.
What Happens When You Import a Banned Product?
Pakistans Customs authorities have rules about what can come into the country no matter if the package arrives by air or by sea. If you bring in something that’s on the banned list here is what you can expect:
1. The Shipment Gets Taken
The second your package goes through Customs and is marked as something that is not allowed it will be taken away. It does not matter which delivery company you used or which country the item came from. If the product is banned Customs can take it.
2. You’ll Get a Notice to Explain
After the item is taken Customs usually sends a notice to the person who brought it in. This is a paper that asks you to explain why you brought in something that is not allowed in Pakistan. It is not a simple paper. What you say or do not say can affect what happens next.
3. You May Have to Pay Fines
In addition, to losing the item people who bring in banned products can also have to pay money. The amount and how strict the punishment is depends on the item, how much it’s worth and whether Customs thinks the import was just a mistake or a planned action.
4. More Legal Issues Could Happen
In serious cases people might be called directly by Customs officials to talk. This is exactly what happened to one person who asked for help: he had ordered a package of toys only to find out. After Customs called him and told him to come in. That the “toys” were actually adult products. This category is completely not allowed to be brought into Pakistan. Because of this his whole package was. He was not sure if it was safe to go and meet with Customs officials.
This example shows a point: many people bring in banned items without even knowing. This often happens because sellers describe products in a way that’s not clear or because buyers do not check the rules of what is allowed to be brought into the country before ordering.
Why Does This Happen Often?
A lot of these situations come down to a lack of knowledge. Buyers see a product listed on a website from another country think that if it can be bought online it must be allowed to be brought in and they place the order without thinking.. This belief can lead to problems. Pakistan like countries has a detailed list of rules about what can be brought in. According to this list some items are:
- Allowed to be brought in without any issues
- Allowed to be brought in but only with papers or approvals
- Not allowed to be brought in at all
If you do not know about these rules it is easy to order something that is not allowed.. By the time the customs officials notice it it is already too late.
Can You Get Your Item Back?
In most situations if the item is on the list of things that are not allowed there is almost no chance of getting it back. Customs is following the rules and banned means banned. No matter how much the item is worth or what your reasons were. This is very different, from items that’re just limited. Those can sometimes be released after paying the fees, taxes or getting the proper papers.
How to Avoid This Situation
The best way to protect yourself is by taking steps before its too late. Before ordering anything from another country especially items that are strange important or not sold in your area spend some time doing the following:
- Check what Pakistans current rules say about the type of product you want to buy
- Don’t order anything that you are not completely sure is allowed to come into the country
- Ask the person selling the product to give you a clear and correct description before you make the purchase
- If you are not sure talk to someone who knows about the rules for bringing things into the country or get advice from a person who understands the laws
Final Thoughts
Bringing a product that is not allowed into Pakistan is more than just a problem with your money. It can lead to your things being taken being asked to explain yourself paying money as a penalty and in some situations facing real legal problems. The best way to handle this is always to check if a product can be brought into the country before you order it not after the people who check the rules have already noticed your package.
Keep watching for our post, where we will explain exactly how to find out if a certain product is allowed to come into Pakistan using the official rules, from the country as a guide.
