Everything you need to know about importing products from China and selling them in Pakistan.
Identify profitable products using market research tools and trending product analysis.
Start on Daraz bestseller lists, social commerce trends, and our Trending Products section. Look for items under 2 kg with clear use cases, phone accessories, kitchen gadgets, beauty tools, and LED products consistently perform in Pakistan. Validate demand before importing: search volume on Daraz, competitor prices, and whether the product solves a visible problem. Avoid overcrowded categories unless you have a price or quality edge. Use our Profit Calculator with realistic landed cost (product + freight + duty + 18% sales tax) to confirm margin after Daraz or courier fees.
Source reliable suppliers on Alibaba, 1688, or through sourcing agents in China.
Alibaba.com suits bulk orders with Trade Assurance. 1688.com offers lower factory prices but usually requires a sourcing agent for English support and payment. Made-in-China.com helps for niche categories. Shortlist 5–10 suppliers, then request quotes for MOQ, lead time, packaging, and sample cost. Order samples from your top 3, never skip this step. Verify business license, years on platform, and review photos in feedback. Browse our Supplier Directory for category-specific manufacturers and Pak-China sourcing agents who help with verification and QC.
Use our import calculators to estimate total landed cost including duties and taxes.
Total landed cost = CIF value (product + international freight + insurance) + customs duty (varies by HS code) + sales tax (18% on CIF + duty) + clearance/agent fees (often 1–3% of CIF). Run scenarios in our China Import Tax Calculator and Shipping Cost Calculator, compare air vs sea for your weight and urgency. Sea freight wins on orders above ~100 kg; air suits samples and high-margin small goods. Keep a 10–15% buffer for currency fluctuation (USD/PKR) and unexpected port charges.
Order samples first, then bulk. Choose air, sea, or express shipping based on urgency.
After samples pass QC, negotiate payment terms (30% deposit / 70% before shipment is common on Alibaba). Confirm Incoterms. FOB, CIF, or DAP affects who pays freight and insurance. Sea freight to Karachi typically takes 25–40 days from China; air takes 5–10 days. Express couriers (DHL, FedEx) work for samples under 30 kg but are expensive for bulk. Your supplier or freight forwarder provides commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, required for Pakistan customs.
Clear goods through Pakistan Customs with proper documentation and duty payment.
Major entry points: Port Qasim / Karachi (sea), Allama Iqbal Airport Lahore, Islamabad airport (air). Hire a licensed customs agent, they file GD (Goods Declaration), pay duty on your behalf, and coordinate with the shipping line. Documents needed: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, NTN, and sometimes product-specific certificates. Duty rate depends on HS code classification, wrong code can overcharge or cause delays. Budget 3–7 days for clearance after vessel arrival; demurrage charges apply if containers sit too long at port.
List on Daraz, your own store, or wholesale channels. Reinvest profits to scale.
Launch on Daraz for built-in traffic, or Shopify/social commerce for higher margins and customer ownership. Professional photos and Urdu/English titles improve conversion on Pakistani marketplaces. Track unit economics weekly: cost of goods sold, marketplace fees, returns, and ad spend. Reinvest into winners only, double down on SKUs with 30%+ net margin after all costs. Scale imports gradually: increase order size 2× only when previous batch sold 70%+ within 60 days. Consider private label once you find a repeatable winner.
Use our free tools to estimate duties, shipping, and total landed cost.