Customs rejects claims of trade halt at Gabd-Rimdan

June 10, 2026 (MLN): Customs authorities have rejected media reports alleging a complete halt in cross-border trade through the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing and resulting LPG shortages, stating that the claims are not supported by actual operational data.

According to the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement Gwadar, clearance statistics for the period from June 1 to June 8, 2026 show that 748 LPG Goods Declarations (GDs) involving approximately 17,353 metric tons of LPG were cleared through the Gabd-Rimdan border, demonstrating uninterrupted import operations throughout the reported period, according to the press release.

The Collectorate has recently introduced measures to streamline import clearance procedures and strengthen compliance controls, aimed at addressing instances of mis-declaration, concealment and pilferage detected in certain categories of imported goods.

Under the previous practice, weighment of consignments imported from Iran took place at the NLC weigh bridge, after which importers moved consignments to private godowns from where Goods Declarations were filed at will or not at all.

This led to several instances of illegal removal of goods, mis-declarations and revenue losses. Under the revised procedure, traders are required to follow prescribed legal procedures under the Customs Rules, 2001, including filing of import manifest, gate-in, weighment, scanning and filing of Goods Declaration before consignments are moved to private godowns.

The measures were implemented following consultations with the Quetta and Gwadar Chambers of Commerce and Industry, with a one-month transition period extended to the trade to facilitate compliance.

Imports of essential commodities, including LPG and Bitumen, are being processed through the Green Channel expedited clearance mechanism and continue to be cleared without delay.

The revised procedures have yielded significant revenue gains. During April–June 2026, customs revenue reached Rs. 12,071 million against 8,245 GDs, compared to Rs. 7,861 million against 6,909 GDs during the corresponding period of the previous year.

Customs also noted that a limited number of border clearing agents and traders dealing in iron and steel products refused to comply with the prescribed clearance procedures.

Approximately 65 consignments from Iran were abandoned by traders after entry into Pakistan, leaving Iranian vehicles, drivers and cargo stranded at the border for several days. Following consultations with Iranian Customs authorities, these consignments were subsequently permitted to return to Iran.

Customs authorities maintained that operations at the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing remain fully functional and that movement of essential commodities, particularly LPG, continues without interruption.

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