The following documents are required for imports and exports:
- Bills of lading;
- Invoices;
- Packing lists;
- Certificates of origin;
- Copies of letters of credit (L/C); and
- Insurance certificates.

Payment to the beneficiary (stipulated in the L/C) may be made either in the country of origin or in the country of shipment of goods. Other payment terms are subject to approval by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Remittances may be made soon after goods have been cleared by Customs.

Pakistan customs authorities require a commercial invoice and a bill of lading (or airway bill). Exporters should forward documents separately if shipment is by sea, but should include them with air shipments. Certificates of origin are not legally required but may be requested by the consignee or consignee's bank. When a certificate of origin is not requested, a statement of country of origin should appear on the invoice. Consular invoices are not required.

The exporter should also be sure to ascertain from the importer the precise number of copies of each document which will be required. Other documents, such as insurance certificates and packing lists, also may be requested by importers, depending on the specific circumstances. Customs authorities require special certificates for imports of plants and plant products and used clothing. In order to expedite the process and to avoid potential delays and penalties, exporters should request detailed instructions from the Pakistani importer prior to shipping.

When a bank or consignee requires evidence of insurance, a separate cargo certificate must be completed. The certificate will list all major terms and conditions of your insurance policy, value, description of merchandise, packing details, shipping point and destination, vessel, shipping date, to whom losses are payable, and whether cargo is stored on or under deck. The original copy of the negotiable certificate, as well as duplicate copies if required, are sent with the other transaction documents to the consignee or bank.

Prohibited Imports

Pakistan controls certain imports through a negative list. Goods not on the negative list may be freely imported. The negative list is made up of:
- Items banned for religious, security or luxury consumption reasons;
- Capital and consumer goods banned to protect domestic industry; and
- Intermediate goods used in producing protected goods.
A restricted/conditional list includes items that may be imported only by certain parties (the government or other specified users) or by certain special arrangements (such as imports against credit).

Labeling Requirements

Pakistan has no uniform or universal system of imposing labeling and marking requirements on products. However, individual industries or sectors are subject to the regulations of specific bodies. For example, the Ministry of Health sets requirements for the pharmaceutical industry.

Foreign Exchange Controls

Pakistan's exchange rate policy is presently based on a managed float, with the State Bank of Pakistan regularly adjusting the value of the rupee against a basket of major currencies and using the U.S. dollar as the intervention currency.

In recent years, the government has significantly liberalized foreign exchange controls. Individuals and firms in Pakistan may now hold foreign currency bank accounts and may freely import and export currency. Foreign firms (other than banks) with investments in Pakistan may remit profits and capital without prior SBP approval.

The government made the Pakistan rupee fully convertible for current account transactions in 1994. However, exporters must still sell their foreign exchange earnings to the State Bank of Pakistan.