KARACHI: Muhammad Anis Noor Muhammad, Senior Vice Chairman, All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association (APPMA) has welcomed the government’s decision to rationalize Customs Duty, Additional Customs Duty and Regulatory Duty on imported paper and paperboard HS Code 4810 and 4802 in the Federal Budget 2026-27, terming it an important and positive development for Pakistan’s paper, printing, publishing, packaging and allied industries.
In a statement, he congratulated the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Finance for recognising the concerns of the paper trade and downstream industries and for moving towards a more rational tariff structure for industrial raw materials.
They said the reduction in duties on paper and paperboard would help reduce input costs, improve competitiveness, encourage investment, promote documentation and create new opportunities for Pakistan’s printing, publishing and packaging sectors.
Muhammad Anis said the decision was the result of sustained engagement, detailed representations and technical submissions made before the FBR and Ministry of Finance regarding the impact of high duties on paper merchants, printers, publishers, packaging manufacturers, converters and thousands of downstream businesses that use paper and paperboard as essential raw materials.
Muhammad Anis further welcomed the FBR’s recognition of paper and paperboard imported in large sheets and rolls as basic industrial raw materials for Pakistan’s printing, publishing, packaging, converting and allied industries, rather than as finished goods.
He said this recognition addressed a long-standing anomaly repeatedly highlighted before the FBR and Ministry of Finance.
The reduction in duties is a collective achievement for the paper, printing and packaging sectors. It reflects the importance of evidence-based representation and constructive engagement with the government,” he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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