Pakistan Customs moves to ease KICT, SAPT congestion as trade volumes jump

July 22, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan Customs has rolled out a series of measures to improve port operations and ease recent congestion at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and the South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT), as a sharp rise in trade activity through July 2026 puts pressure on both terminals.

The increased volumes are being attributed to improved global economic conditions and easing security tensions in the Persian Gulf, according to a press release issued.

A senior Pakistan Customs official said the department remains fully committed to facilitating trade while maintaining robust regulatory oversight, noting that optimal examiner staffing has been deployed at all ports and operations have consistently continued on Sundays to ensure timely cargo clearance.

The official added that the congestion is being monitored daily, with close coordination underway with trade representatives and terminal management to resolve the situation by the end of the week.

The surge in maritime activity is reflected in the latest figures.

Combined vessel calls at SAPT and KICT rose to 56 between July 1 and July 25, 2026, compared to 49 during the same period last year, up 14.3%.

Container throughput at SAPT alone rose 12% to 52,314 TEUs.

To manage the higher volumes, Pakistan Customs has scaled up clearance operations, with examinations completed in July 2026 reaching 4,298, up from 4,007 a year earlier.

Fresh codes marked for examination surged 19.9%, reflecting higher clearance volumes and a marked rise in the number of containers undergoing inspection.

Under the Maritime Task Force, Customs has introduced a set of reforms to streamline port operations, in what the department is calling a historic move.

More than 2,000 long-stuck containers have been shifted to off-dock facilities, freeing up terminal space, while the installation of scanners at all ports now enables Non-Intrusive Inspections, cutting clearance times and reducing business costs.

These measures, along with Faceless Assessment and Examination, have significantly reduced clearance times and improved transparency.

The official said the reforms mark a new era for Pakistan's maritime sector, with the goal of ensuring efficient, transparent, and responsive port operations that support the national economy and reinforce Pakistan's position as a key regional trade hub.

Pakistan Customs said it will continue working closely with stakeholders to sustain these standards, while also closely watching the situation in the Strait of Hormuz to respond to any emerging exigencies.

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