More US brands are looking at Pakistan as a source for sportswear, workwear, leatherwear, and sports accessories — but importing from Pakistan to the USA involves a few extra steps that buyers used to sourcing from more established markets often miss. Here’s the actual process, in order.
Why More US Buyers Are Looking to Import from Pakistan to the USA Right Now
Pakistan has deep, established manufacturing in sportswear, leather goods, and workwear — Sialkot alone produces a large share of the world’s footballs and sports gloves. For US buyers diversifying away from a single sourcing country, it’s a legitimate option, but “legitimate” doesn’t mean “identical process to what you’re used to.” The steps below are where first-time buyers usually lose time or money.
Step 1: Confirm Your Product’s HTS Code and Current Duty Rate
Every product entering the US is classified under a specific HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code, and that code determines your duty rate — not a flat “Pakistan rate.” US tariff policy toward Pakistan has shifted multiple times through 2026 and remains subject to change, so don’t rely on a number you read somewhere months ago. Look up your exact product on the official USITC HTS search tool before you commit to pricing, or confirm the current rate with a licensed customs broker.
Step 2: Verify Your Supplier Before You Import From Pakistan
This step doesn’t change no matter which country you’re sourcing from, but it matters more when you can’t easily hop on a flight to check. Confirm the business is properly registered, confirm the factory itself exists and has the capacity you’re being told about, and get a straight answer on how they handle vendor verification before any deposit goes out.
Step 3: Get Compliance Documentation Sorted Early
US retailers and marketplaces increasingly expect factory compliance documentation before they’ll even list your product — things like social compliance audits and material safety documentation. Ask your supplier upfront what compliance certifications they hold, and get the actual reports, not just a logo on a website. Sorting this out before production starts is far cheaper than fixing it after a shipment is already at a US port.
Step 4: Plan Your Shipping and Customs Clearance
Ocean freight from Pakistan typically routes through Karachi Port, and transit time to US coasts is longer than most buyers expect — budget for it in your launch timeline, not as an afterthought. You’ll need a customs broker on the US side regardless of how organized your supplier is; they’re the ones who actually file your entry with CBP. Build in quality control and inspection before the shipment leaves Pakistan — it’s far cheaper to catch a problem there than to deal with a rejected or returned shipment after it’s crossed the ocean.
Step 5: Calculate Your Full Landed Cost Before You Commit
Your unit price from the factory is not what the product actually costs you. Landed cost means unit price, plus duties, plus freight, plus the Merchandise Processing Fee and Harbor Maintenance Fee CBP charges, plus your customs broker’s fee. Buyers who skip this step and price off the factory quote alone regularly find their margins are thinner than they thought once the shipment actually clears customs. The trade.gov country guide for Pakistan is a useful starting reference for the broader regulatory picture, though duty rates specifically should always be confirmed against the current HTS schedule.
If you’re planning your first order and want someone who actually verifies the factory and inspects the goods before they ship, rather than just forwarding you a catalog, get in touch — most of the mistakes above are avoidable with someone checking on the Pakistan side before your money moves.