Citroen in Pakistan

ben.p.drew (Ben Drew) 2024-09-11 20:57:53 +0500 #1

Hello

I am in the UK and have a Citroen C4 Picasso. I live between the UK and Pakistan.

I am considering driving over-land to Pakistan (then using for personal/family/business use - no to sell). I had a couple of Pakistan-specific queries:
- On registration, in Pakistan, would I be able to keep it as UK registered, or do I need to transfer over. Does anyone know of the transfer price.
- Does anyone know about the availability of Citroen (especially C4 Picasso) parts in Pakistan? Are they available; and are they reasonable cost (i.e. comparable to more readily available Toyotas, Hondas etc) or much more expensive?

I am also separately investigating routes and visas of transit countries.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

pwuser162557941033 (Integrale) 2024-09-12 05:22:49 +0500 #2

I would wager the parts are essentially nonexistent. There are scarcely new genuine parts even for PKDM cars.

If I was traveling to Pakistan with your car, by road, I'd try to make sure I have plenty of supplies. You could find lubricants and fluids here, and on the way, so I wouldn't waste space on those. But I'd try and store filters, hoses, consumables, etc. that are specific to your vehicle. I'd say you're more likely to blow a hose or an ignition coil or spark plug, or clog a fuel filter with some region's fuel, than anything else.

Maybe even sensors and electronics as spares, although less important. Mostly trying to take care of the steering, cooling, suspension, braking systems. Tire repair stuff and an air compressor. I wouldn't waste time taking the car, however, if there were any engine or transmission issues.

sardarg (Singh is King) 2024-09-12 11:34:14 +0500 #3

sir @ben.p.drew only 3 years old used car can be registered in Pakistan.
Citroen is an unknown (french) brand in Pakistan., Peugeot brand launched less then 4 years ago has miserably failed. You may regret driving the brand all the way for personal use in Pakistan.

msabbasi (msabbasi) 2024-09-12 11:55:20 +0500 #4

To add to @sardarg, you will have to pay customs at the point of entry. They will impound your vehicle until the paperwork goes through. This may take days or months (assuming the car is less than 3 years old from date of production). Once the Customs is paid, you will need bill of lading (at least that is what we are given when we buy used 3 year old cars from Japan). But in your case as the car will be driven, I am not sure what will be the equivalent document to bill of lading.

The article below may be of some use to you. The process is for cars from Japan but it will be the same for a car from UK.

https://www.pakwheels.com/car-import/

https://excise.punjab.gov.pk/vehicle_registration
Each province has minor variations in the registration process. Above is applicable to Punjab.

Please be warned that recently the duties structure has been changed and the numbers in the article above no longer hold true. If memory serves it is now not based on engine size but car value as evaluated by the Customs people. It will be advisable to line up a clearing agent before you commit to this endeavor.

Others can chime in and shed more light.

sohikun 2024-09-12 12:23:19 +0500 #5

New policies ~ www.pakwheels.com/blog/new-withholding-tax-on-cars-for-filers-and-non-filers/amp/

msabbasi (msabbasi) 2024-09-12 12:30:27 +0500 #6

Thank you for the clarification. We have to provide as much information here to help out @ben.p.drew.

To add to your post, I will not be surprised if the Customs people have their own list of prices they refer to work out the custom duty. This practice I observed when I imported some house hold stuff. The idea is to circumvent under invoicing by unscrupulous individuals.

sohikun 2024-09-12 12:41:24 +0500 #7

It's normal ~ one can also bring in a 5 year old car ~ The problem = the money, just feed them haram money. Even in a police station, the SHO has a price list.
Kidnapping issues diff rate, property cases are usually considered lotteries for them.

sohikun 2024-09-12 13:00:35 +0500 #8

As far as the OP is concerned, I would never recommend doing this. As mentioned by other users, parts aren’t available. Bringing parts along with you won’t fully ensure replacements for other components or will it ?!? Customs will be sure to create a living hell for you, demanding extra money & haram money. It's like bringing in a bomb and waiting for it to explode, bro.

In short, bro, don’t take this step -- it will make your life a living hell. Plus, there are no traffic rules here in pk, so yeaa ~ your car won't last long.

msabbasi (msabbasi) 2024-09-12 16:33:29 +0500 #9

Sir you have misunderstood me. I do not give or take money under the table. The matter in my case was 2-3 electrical appliances. In front of me the customs guy checked a pricelist for these (they were new) and did his calculations and charged me. I paid and got my stuff cleared. This was at the Pindi/Islamabad dry dock. located in the old Chaklala airport.

In the case of this car, they will look at the invoice OP presents as well as they will consult their own document and then calculate the duty on the higher number of the two.

Lets focus on helping out @ben.p.drew to best of our collective knowledge.

ben.p.drew (Ben Drew) 2024-09-12 19:22:05 +0500 #13

Thank you all for your honest thoughts! They are really helpful!

It's looking like you guys think it's not a good idea!

I've not actually done much mechanic stuff myself (normally get the mechanic to do), so not sure how interchangeable some parts are with other brands. eg how much a Citroen C4 suspension coil differs from a Honda Civic one etc, and if there is any chance of using local substitute.

The car's actually around 8 years old, mid-life with around 100k km on the clock.

msabbasi (msabbasi) 2024-09-13 08:15:04 +0500 #17

From a financial standpoint it makes little sense to import the car here with all the paperwork and archaic custom rules and red tape involved. The vehicle has 100,000 km on it, that is when it begins to need attention from mechanics. If the car had 10,000km, it would have made financial sense to bring it over. If you can accept our locally made vehicles, you would be better off to acquire a vehicle from the local market. It would make your life infinitely easier. Locally made vehicles are obviously supported by a dealership network etc.

AS I said, before embarking on this adventure do speak to a clearing agent and get his take on the matter.

pwuser164163568474 (PWUser164163568435) 2024-09-13 09:59:19 +0500 #19

Okay so whilst I agree that it is not a wise decision to bring in the Citroen into Pakistan, due to spare part availability and an added case of headaches dealing through mechanics here, no one has brought up a Carnet de Passages (CPD). I do not have much experience with this but this is something many arabs use when bringing their expensive cars abroad during tourism. Under my limited understanding, you would not be registering the car here per se, and be using your UK registration. This documentation would ensure that customs and duties would be paid in case the car does not make it back after it's validity (I think it is valid for a year). I still would not believe the process to be as smooth in Pakistan as described.

I think I only heard of commercial vehicles being imported this way. Again, I do not have much experience with this at all but I think this piece of information may be relevant here. I'm hoping someone else could shed more light on this option.

msabbasi (msabbasi) 2024-09-13 12:58:52 +0500 #20

Sir I believe that is valid up to three years. After that the car has to go back or get registered. If OP plans to return within three years, car can keep its UK plate. But I get the feeling he wants to keep it here on long term.

ben.p.drew (Ben Drew) 2024-09-16 21:26:22 +0500 #21

Bahut Shukria

Thank you for all your wisdom!