The Govt has directed shipping companies to stop charging war risk surcharges on shipments that departed before the recent regional tensions. The decision came after traders complained about sudden and unfair charges on cargo already in transit.
Pakistan’s customs authorities issued the order to all shipping lines and their local agents. Officials said companies must immediately stop imposing War Risk and Emergency Conflict Surcharges on older consignments.
The issue surfaced when members of the business community raised concerns with customs officials. Traders claimed that shipping companies had begun charging extra fees on cargo that had already sailed before February 28, 2026.
Many importers and exporters said these charges were unfair. They argued that the cargo had left ports before the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
Business groups described the charges as commercially unethical. They said the sudden costs increased financial pressure on traders and disrupted normal business activities.
After reviewing the complaints, customs authorities issued a directive. The order instructs shipping companies to stop demanding or collecting such surcharges on consignments already in transit.
Officials stated that retroactive charges on earlier shipments are unjustified. The Govt has made it clear that such practices will not be tolerated.
Authorities also asked traders to provide evidence if these charges were already collected. Importers and exporters can submit documents showing invoices or payment requests.
This evidence will help officials investigate the issue and take action against companies responsible for unfair billing.
In another circular, customs officials said they had received several complaints about non-transparent pricing practices. Traders reported that sudden charges from shipping companies were increasing logistics costs across the supply chain.
Businesses warned that unclear pricing could harm trade operations. Rising shipping costs can also affect import and export activities.
The Govt has now directed all maritime stakeholders to ensure transparency in their pricing policies. Shipping companies must clearly inform traders about any extra charges before applying them.
Officials also warned that violations of these instructions will be treated seriously. Authorities said strict action may be taken against companies that ignore the directive.
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The Govt said its priority is to protect traders and maintain fair trade practices during the current regional uncertainty.
