From SUVs to food: Govt cuts regulatory duties on several imported items

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has slashed regulatory duties on imported items including luxury cars, food, mobile phone SIM cards and other goods, according to a notification issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday.

The revised tax rates came into effect on July 1.

President Asif Ali Zardari had assented to the Finance Bill 2025 on the advice of prime minister under Article 75 of the Constitution on June 30.

Following the president’s assent, the Finance Act 2025 was notified. On June 26, the National Assembly passed the Finance Bill, 2025 with certain amendments.

As per the notification, regulatory duty on mobile phone SIM cards has been reduced from 15 percent to 12 percent, while the duty on new cars and minivans has been cut by one-third, bringing it down to as low as 10 percent.

For imported SUVs, the duty has been slashed by 44 percent to stand at 50 percent, read the notification.

Similarly, in the food sector, regulatory duty on poultry and fish has been brought down to 5 percent. The duty on bird eggs has been reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent and pet food for cats and dogs now faces a 40 percent duty after a 5 percent reduction.

Moreover, tobacco products have seen a major duty reduction of up to 40 percent.

The federal government also slashed duties on figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, and mangoes by 20 percent. Papayas and apples will now incur a 36 percent duty, down from 45 percent, read the notification. Regulatory duty on general nuts has been slashed by 4 percent, and the duty on frozen fish has been halved to 17.5 percent. Imports of cheese and yogurt will now face a 50 percent duty following a 10 percent reduction, the notification stated.