The Ministry of Commerce has extended the exemption period from the electronic import form (EIF) requirement on imports from Afghanistan until June 14, 2025 in a move aimed at facilitating ongoing trade with Afghanistan.
According to an official letter issued by the ministry, the decision has been made to prevent disruption in bilateral trade and ensure that mutual economic activity is not adversely affected amid the absence of a formal banking channel between the two neighbouring countries.
Imports from Afghanistan have been exempted from EIF until a banking channel is established.
The exemption allows Afghan imports to continue without the mandatory EIF requirement, which is typically essential for import documentation and payment processing through banks. The previous deadline for EIF exemption and rupee-based trade settlement was May 15, 2025.
The ministry further stated that stakeholders were supposed to submit policy proposals to the government after holding consultations before the previous deadline. However, the consultation process could not be completed in time, prompting the government to extend the EIF waiver period.
The EIF exemption will remain in place until a formal banking mechanism is established between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which is expected to stabilize and streamline trade in the long term.
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