The Hottest Products to Import From Pakistan in 2025
Below are the hottest imports from Pakistan, with large growth potential:
- Sporting Goods
- Fresh Mango’s / Fresh Fruits
- Knitwear / Textiles
- Leather Products / Footwear
- Rice
You do not need an import licence to import any of these products and clear UK customs.
Pakistan’s Exports Have Never Been Better Than In 2024
Pakistan is becoming a big export power and importers can get high quality products at competitive prices. In fiscal year 2023-24 Pakistan’s merchandise exports grew by 10.54% to $30.64 billion compared to $27.72 billion of previous year.
Textiles are the backbone of Pakistan’s export industry and contribute around 60% to the total exports. This sector is resilient and has growth potential and is a good option for importers to diversify their sourcing.
United States, China and United Kingdom were the top three destinations for Pakistani exports in first half of fiscal year 2024-25. Exports to US increased by 9.77% compared to same period of previous year.
With a focus on expanding export base and improving trade logistics Pakistan is a good place for international trade. Importers should explore the wide range of products Pakistan has to offer and cash in on the growing exports.
Import Sporting Goods From Pakistan
Sporting goods may not be the first thing you think of when considering exports from Pakistan but Pakistan’s sports goods are recognized as a hallmark of quality and in demand globally by many of the world’s leading sports goods brands.
Pakistan is especially renowned for manufacturing high-grade footballs, cricket gear, gloves, and fitness equipment. To maximize efficiency and ensure smooth import processes, businesses are encouraged to partner with logistics providers experienced in handling Pakistan-sourced goods.
With demand continuing to grow and quality remaining a key strength, now is an ideal time for importers to explore sporting goods from Pakistan.
Fresh Mango’s
Pakistan is a leading exporter of fresh mangoes globally and famous for its taste and quality. In 2024, the country exported around 13,681 metric tons of mangoes to 42 countries and earned around $46.7 million.
The UK was the top importer and bought $13.2 million worth of mangoes, followed by UAE at $9.2 million. Other major markets were Kazakhstan, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan showing the global demand for Pakistani mangoes.
Despite the challenges of climate change affecting the production, Pakistan’s mango industry is booming and offers great opportunities for importers especially in regions where there is limited local fruit production.
The fruits and vegetables market in Pakistan is also growing and is projected to be $9.8 billion by 2025 and growing .
For importers looking for high quality and flavorful mangoes, Pakistan is a great sourcing destination with a proven track record in international trade.
Knitwear and Textiles
Pakistan’s textile and apparel sector remains the backbone of the country’s export economy with textile exports at $16.655 billion,
Key export categories and their performance in FY2023-24 were:
- Knitwear: Value of $4.41 billion but increased by 41.44% in quantity.
- Readymade Garments: Exports grew by 2.05% in value to $3.56 billion and 1.99% in quantity.
- Bedwear: Exports increased by 4.12% in value to $2.8 billion and 15.27% in quantity.
- Towels: Exports grew by 5.55% in value to $1.06 billion and 14% in quantity.
- Cotton Yarn: Exports surged by 13.17% to $955.5 million.
Historically United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Poland have been the top importers of Pakistani textile products.
Leather Products
In 2024 Pakistan’s leather exports were $545.9 million and finished leather exports were $137.58 million.
Footwear is a huge industry in Pakistan, exporting 21.51 million pairs of shoes, earning $162.0 million in 2024.
Pakistan’s footwear industry is still growing and it’s optimistic to see that Pakistan can achieve $1 billion footwear exports by 2027.
Rice
Rice is and always will be in high demand globally as it is a staple food for more than 3.5 billion people around the world. In addition to rice, Pakistan also exports a significant quantity of vegetables, which are in high demand globally.
Benefits of Importing from Pakistan
Importing from Pakistan has many benefits for UK businesses. One of the biggest advantages is the cost of Pakistani products which can help you reduce your costs and increase your profit margins. Pakistan is also a big producer of high quality textiles, leather products and agricultural products which are in high demand in UK. By importing these products from Pakistan you can expand your product range and cater to the growing demand for these products.
Also Pakistan’s location and trade agreements with UK make it an attractive country for importers. UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) gives duty free access to 94% of goods exported to UK, making it easier for Pakistani exporters to access UK market. With the right import regulations and compliance in place you can benefit from these and start an import business with Pakistan.
Import Regulations and Compliance
Importing from Pakistan requires compliance with customs regulations and obtaining the necessary import licenses. To clear customs smoothly, you need to know the import regulations and compliance requirements. This includes knowing the specific documentation required such as commodity code, purchase price and country of origin and making sure all paperwork is completed and submitted correctly.
Import Licenses
The majority of goods do not need an import license but for certain goods such as controlled goods, firearms and restricted products like medicines, a license is needed. To get an import license, businesses need to apply to the relevant authorities and provide the necessary documentation including commodity code, purchase price and country of origin. Make sure you get the import license before the goods arrive in the UK to avoid delays and penalties. Proper planning and understanding of the requirements can help streamline the process and comply with UK customs regulations.
Working with a Customs Agent
Working with a customs agent can help businesses navigate the sometimes very complex import regulations and compliance requirements. Customs agents can help with customs declarations, duty payments and VAT claims, make sure you comply with all the regulations. They can also advise on import licenses, commodity codes and customs procedures to help you avoid costly mistakes and delays. By using the expertise of a customs agent, you can have a smoother import process and focus on growing your business.
Shipping and Logistics
Shipping and logistics is a critical part of the import process. UK businesses need to choose the right shipping option and have the real-world, practical knowledge to make their goods arrive safely and on time. Knowing the different shipping options and their advantages can help you make informed decisions that suits your business and budget.
Air Freight Options
Air freight is a good option for importing from Pakistan especially for high value or time sensitive products such as fruits and vegetables. Air freight has faster transit times, typically 2-4 days and is ideal for smaller consignments. However it will likely be more expensive than sea freight and you need to make sure you choose the right shipping option that meets your business needs and budget.
In contrast, sea freight is a more cost effective option for larger volumes of goods and can carry full container loads (FCL) or less than container loads (LCL). However sea freight takes longer to arrive, typically 20-50 days and requires more planning and coordination.
By knowing the shipping options and logistics requirements, UK businesses can ensure their goods arrive safely and on time and comply with all the customs regulations and compliance requirements.
How To Successfully Import From Pakistan
The 4 Steps To Success
If you’re now thinking to get involved in the import export world and importing any of these products into your own country, I highly recommend it! Below is a personal testimonial of my experience, working 35+ years in import export. I’ve met some many great people, enjoyed my travels around the world and the satisfaction of negotiating deals and moving products around the world has been fantastic.
If the ideas above have inspired you, I recommend you take the next three steps.
Step 1: Know How To Source Your Products
Once you’ve decided on some products, you’ll have to source where to buy them. Finding sellers of your products is also half the fun. If you’re in a position to travel and explore, do it! It’s a great opportunity to expand your horizons. Not so easy in these times of a global pandemic but eventually we’ll be able to travel again.
If you can’t travel, there’s always Google, AliBaba and AliExpress. This can be a great place to start. For more ideas and an much more in-depth look into sourcing products, check out our blog in sourcing products internationally.
Another advantage to these products is they’re small enough to get product samples easily, either by travelling to Pakistan and bringing them to other countries or by buying online and having the goods shipped.
Once you’ve found your new supplier, you’re going to need an EORI number for products to clear UK customs and a freight forwarder so make sure you know how to set this up.
Step 2: Know How To Finding Buyers
Perhaps the biggest question is inevitably, how do I find buyers for my products?
This is without doubt the most common question that I’m asked. Well, the good news is, there’s more than one way to do this. The bad news is, there’s no “easy” way. It’s all going to take some hard work and perseverance but it can most certainly be done and some good profits are no doubt waiting for you.
For my biggest hints and tips after a lifetime in commercial buying and selling check out our blog post on finding buyers.
Step 3: Make Sure You Understand the Basics
You’re going to need to understand at a minimum, the basics of import and export. Don’t jump in and start buying products, hoping to sell them by crossing your fingers. You’ll lose money, time and cause yourself a lot of stress.
To start, have a read of our blog post, How To Start an Import Export Business. It’s only the bare minimum but it will give you an idea of what you need to start thinking about and you’ll pick up some handy tips that I learned over the year.
Step 4: Import Export Training Courses Online
If you’re still sold on the idea of trading internationally, I can only advise you to educate yourself. It’s going to save you a lot of pain! Our online import export courses are taught with a series of pre-recorded videos so you can start any time, study at your own pace and there’s no deadline to complete.
Our courses teach you the practical knowledge you’ll need to know to trade successfully, confidently whilst maximising your profits and avoiding import export scams. Taught by Alan Bracken, with 35+ years of commercial experience in logistics, he skips all the theory you’ll never need to know but teaches you the practical side of how to move your goods around the world.
Check out our reviews on TrustPilot to see just how our courses have benefited our students.