Finance adviser introduces new tariff, SD structure with eye on US trade deal
Staff Correspondent
The interim government has introduced a new tier in the import duty structure for the upcoming 2025–26 fiscal year.
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, in his televised budget speech on Monday, announced that the existing six-tier customs duty structure will be reorganized by adding a new tier with a 3% duty rate.
Additionally, a new 40% supplementary duty rate has been proposed, expanding the current twelve-tier supplementary duty structure.
To protect consumers, the adviser confirmed that zero-tariff rates will remain unchanged for essential items such as major food products, fertilizers, seeds, life-saving medicines, cotton, and raw materials used in certain industries.
As part of a broader strategy to gradually reduce trade barriers and prepare for upcoming trade dialogue with the United States, the government has proposed several duty adjustments:
Import duties on 110 products will be fully withdrawn.
Import duties on 65 products will be reduced.
Supplementary duties on 9 products will be entirely removed.
Supplementary duties on 442 products will be reduced.
“These changes are aimed at easing the tax burden on citizens and reducing the anti-export bias,” Dr. Ahmed said.
