Pakistan Customs Export Collectorate has issued new instructions requiring all salt export shipments to be packed in proper, standardized packaging to ensure smooth and uninterrupted exports.
The decision was made during a meeting between Collector Customs Exports Rizwan Mehmood and representatives of the Salt Manufacturers Association, led by founding chairman Ismail Sattar, along with Chairperson Saima Akhtar and other officials.
During the meeting, both exporters and customs authorities agreed on corrective measures aimed at addressing long-standing issues that have been affecting the reputation of Pakistan’s salt industry in international markets.
Exporters told officials that foreign buyers had raised complaints about damaged packaging in some shipments. They said the problem was mainly caused by improper resealing of containers at ports after customs inspections, which often leads to deterioration during transit.
In response, Customs authorities decided to discontinue the use of general trade codes for salt exports, a practice that had been causing repeated inspections and delays at ports.
Deputy Collector Usman Hameed Butt and Assistant Collector Asma Sikandar stated that incorrect classification under Harmonized System (HS) codes was a key reason behind frequent examinations and export bottlenecks. They explained that many exporters were using generic codes instead of precise classifications.
Customs clarified that HS Code 2501.00.10 applies to table salt, 2501.00.20 to rock salt, while 2501.00.90 is reserved only for other salt categories that do not fall under the first two classifications.
