The Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has introduced a one-year restriction on the transfer of certain imported vehicles after registration. Under the new policy, the vehicle must remain registered in the name of the person who imported it for one year before it can be transferred to another buyer.
The restriction affects vehicles brought into Pakistan under the Gift and Transfer of Residence schemes. The Punjab Excise Department has added a system-level check to stop ownership transfers before the required period is completed.
The change follows a federal amendment issued by the Ministry of Commerce through SRO 61(I)/2026 on January 15. The order removed the Personal Baggage Scheme and stated that vehicles imported under the Gift or Transfer of Residence schemes would remain non-transferable for one year from the date of import.
The federal government said the changes were aimed at reducing misuse of vehicle import schemes for commercial purposes. It also increased the required gap between imports under these schemes from 700 to 850 days.
The Punjab Excise Department has reported that imported vehicles make up around 20% of vehicle registrations in the province. The new restriction could affect buyers, sellers and dealers involved in the imported car market.
