Maersk has informed customers of new mandatory consignee identification requirements for all import shipments destined for Pakistan.
Under SRO 882(I)/2026, Pakistan Customs will require consignee identification details to be included in the Import General Manifest (IGM) from 15 August 2026.
Customers must provide the applicable identification details to shippers at the port of origin. The information must also appear in the Shipping Instructions and Bill of Lading when a shipment is booked.
The required identifier will depend on the type of consignee or cargo:
- National Tax Number (NTN) for commercial imports
- Free Tax Number (FTN) for tax-exempt entities
- Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number for personal effects
- Passport number for diplomatic cargo
Cargo and Bill of Lading requirements
At least one of the identifiers marked as required in the following table must be included in the consignee documentation address.
| Cargo/BL type | NTN/FTN | Passport | CNIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIR Transit | No | Yes | No |
| General | Yes | No | No |
| Foreign TP | No | Yes | No |
| EPZ | No | Yes | No |
| Vehicle Baggage | No | Yes | Yes |
| UAB | No | Yes | Yes |
| Afghan Transit | No | Yes | No |
| Tajik Transit | No | Yes | No |
| Uzbek Transit | No | Yes | No |
| Diplomatic | Yes | Yes | No |
| Transshipment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Customers do not need to submit every identifier listed for a cargo type. However, they must provide at least one of the accepted options.
For example, Vehicle Baggage shipments must include either a passport or CNIC number in the consignee documentation address. General cargo shipments must include an NTN or FTN.
Shipping Instructions may be rejected if the relevant cargo type or identification number is missing.
Interim submission process
As a temporary arrangement, customers should include the relevant NTN, FTN, CNIC or passport number in the consignee documentation address.
They must also add the applicable Cargo/BL type prefix, such as General or Vehicle Baggage, to the cargo description for each shipment declaration.
After the necessary system upgrades are completed, Maersk said the information will be recorded and transmitted as a separate structured data field within the Pakistan Single Window upload file.
Failure to provide the required information may lead Pakistan Customs to reject the IGM. This could result in cargo discharge problems, shipment delays and additional costs.
